2023 Acura Integra | First Drive

For the latest Acura Integra pricing and information:

If all you want to know is whether the 2023 Acura Integra is a good car, the answer is…yes.


Propelling the Integra is a 1.5L turbocharged engine (200 hp, 192 lb-ft) matched to a continuously variable transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission teamed with a limited slip differential.

Pricing for the Integra starts just under $31,000 (text: $30,800) plus $1,095 in destination charges. For that price you get a 10.2” digital gauge cluster, heated front seats, smart key access, a 7” touchscreen screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot warning.



I’ll leave it up to you to debate its exterior styling, but I will praise the Integra’s sporting yet functional interior.

This red motif isn’t for everyone, but I like it and there are more sedate interiors if you prefer. The front seats provide helpful lateral support, adjustable driver lumbar support, and a happy lack of pressure points. Very comfy.

Elsewhere the places you’ll touch the most have a soft premium feel and many of the controls offer a satisfying clicky operation.

Practically speaking the cargo hold is a roomy useful space (24.3 cu-ft), provided you can manage the high lift over. With the rear seats dropped the hatchback design accommodates bulky loads.

Flip those seats up and rear occupants will find generous legroom, though for my 5’ 10” body, rear seat headroom is merely adequate.


If you want more than the base trim offers, there’s a stylistic bump from the $2k A-Spec package. Beyond that the technology package adds a larger 9” touchscreen, 16-speaker ELS audio, wireless smartphone integration, these microsuede trimmed front seats, front and rear parking sensors, and a host of other upgrades for a grand asking price of $35,800.


For competitors Acura has identified the Audi A3, BMW 228i Gran Coupe, and Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. Versus that crew the Acura Integra is much less expensive alternative. I’ll also note that the Integra’s powertrain can be had in the Honda Civic Si for less than $28-grand and, if you want a loaded premium-felling hatchback with even more power than the Integra plus all-wheel drive, the feature-filled Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim costs a little less than $35k.


I’m curious to experience the Integra on more familiar roads because honestly, when hanging out with cool people in fun places, like on a press event, it can be hard to get a complete picture of a car. What’s even harder, is carrying the weight nostalgia.

The Acura Integra has a storied reputation, and the new kid here won’t satisfy everyone’s expectations.

But to me in this moment, the Integra feels like what it should be: a playful, somewhat elevated yet accessibly priced Acura. And, importantly, a capable jumping off point for Integra types to come.

00:00 2023 Acura Integra
0:47 Exterior
1:19 Engine
2:05 Pricing
2:31 Driving Impressions
6:58 Interior
8:17 Competitors

[larney]

The Savage Geese bit was exactly what I would expect from in real life lol

[kocojack]

10 years later. Its going to be a great 2nd hand car for another generation of college students.

[epvendetta]

The high fives were completely in character.

[javierduran]

Been following Kirk since his beginnings in YouTube so cool to see him grow!

[gene]

This is my Take. Micah, and KBB were way before any of the High Five other car channels. It’s so Hard to believe that Micah and KBB came with the Internet but still remains one of the strongest Car Review GO TO Channels. I speak to car buyers all the time at the Diner and KBB is still the leader around here. Including the youth buyers. There is something to be said for this. That’s my take.

[haze]

The Goose cameo. LOL
Like the car a lot. Love that it has a touchscreen instead of the Acura touchpad.

[gengstar]

The cameos were much better than the car. Thanks for the review 😅

[JustPeople]

I love it, but it's a bad time to buy a car that needs premium fuel. Dealer mark-up is a deal killer right now.

[thewiseguy]

What's trippy is, it sounds just like my old 92 Integra GS. I miss that car much.

[noseefood]

Oh what a memory my old 1990 integra brings back best sports coupe ever!

[bullsfan]

Haha i love the interaction with the other car journalists. I watch redline and savage geese myself

[garrettw]

I loved the high fives. Mark was a total NPC until the end 😂

[irl-hdr]

Mr. Geese leaving you hanging was hysterical 😂

[tomcat]

There seems to be some dislike" for the new Integra. Not sure why to be honest. For $35K, so almost $13-14, 000 LESS than the average new car price, this seems like a great car. And, it's available with a manual and isn't a crossover! Both wins.

[ranthony]

As an ilx owner, I will miss my k24 engine and dct, but this is a nice car.

[bigcrowfly]

I did not see a High-Five with Joe Raiti.☹

[Mjln]

I bought an '87 Integra new and kept it for 13 years. Mine was the higher trim line (LS?) 4-door liftback and it was white, just like the one in your video. That 1.6L motor was a little jewel, as was the 5-speed manual transmission. I loved that car.

[Offensively-normal]

The look on marks face was the way my wife looked at me when I said I was going to get the Integra. She also finally did high five and smiled when I got the Civic sport touring. At first I thought I settled but after 2 months it's a pretty good car too. Guess I'll stay on the porch with the little dogs.

[wbwayne]

My biggest problem with the Integra is what Honda did with the Civic Si. Took away the amenities that the 10th gen Si already had, including adaptive dampers and then raised the cost of the 11th gen Si $2K. Then, added them all back into the top trim Integra A-Spec with Tech Pkg for $8K more. $8K more and you don't even get rear vents. It's a nice car, but definitely not worth $8K more than an Si with the same powertrain.

[JM-BK]

THANK YOU for showing us the CVT. I don’t know why ALL the other reviewers don’t at least consider those who don’t drive stick!!