Acura Integra - The Beloved - Test Drive | Everyday Driver

If the 11th-generation Civic Si is great, and the more expensive Integra is built upon the same chassis with the same motor, is it worth the upgrade? The guys take a drive to assess the differences between the two cars, their competitors, and ask if the Integra's return was the right choice for Acura.

#acura #acuraintegra #integra #hothatch #manual #savethemanuals

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[tylergarcia]

Gotta say this is somewhat of a missed “review”. Instead of actually reviewing the car for what it has they decided to just bash it when comparing it to the civic SI. Would’ve been nice to see them actually showcase the features like the premium audio system, driving and safety features, upgraded interior area/leather and discuss the extended warranty and maintenance plans. Also based on the market you can get them for MSRP or even a little under. And the whole integra stamp they complained about is a hallmark for the integra dating back to the 90s and has been there for sometime. Is it the best deal ever? Probably not but I don’t think they did a good job displaying the car for what it is

[billm]

I bought one in the exact same spec as your car in late July. Here’s a big deciding factor. Acura dealers are more willing to sell these at MSRP. I bought mine at MSRP. Good luck at a Honda dealer trying to get an SI at MSRP. Combined with the overall better dealership experience, warranty, 3 years free app, 2 years free maintenance, loaner cars, and last but not least all the upgrades to the car, this makes this a decent buy because as of right now the “out the door” price is probably only $5 to $6K apart.

[fityougolf]

Thanks for the review guys. As an Integra owner, I do get frustrated with the cherry picking comparisons. The lift back, sunroof, heated seats, added seat adjustment with memory, adjustable dampers, free maintenance, parking sensors, wireless charging and the upgraded sound system make this a more desirable choice for me. And worth the money. And I paid MSRP and prefer the styling (subjective, I know). I went from a 2019 Accord with a 6 spd manual to the Integra and could not be more pleased with the upgrade!

[FuelGearsGlory]

One thing that's overlooked is the CVT Integra has an open diff. Only the 6MT has LSD.

[FrankOsman]

Looked for the Civic Si, found every one local listed at $35, 000+. Picking up an Integra next weekend.

[mistamaog]

I do think the tires are the reason why the Si felt much better.
Also I agree with the fact that Acura should've offered SH-AWD, especially for the price that this costs.

[ericssonerick]

I bought one over the SI because this one has better styling but then again beauty is subjective...adaptive suspension, amazing sound system, heads up display and of course the hatch back.

[proleisuremotorsports]

Coming from an Audi A4, I just chose an 2024 Acura Integra A-Spec 6M over the Honda Civic Si because the markup even on the used 2022 Si's put the price ($34k!) very close to a new Integra. The cars felt very similar in driving experience, but interior and features set them apart and well worth an extra $3-4k for a new car with no miles. I paid -$1000 off MSRP. Opting for a 6M trans offers so much more engagement, no regrets at all.

[avo_fg]

I was in the market for a 22 Si, but dealers were marking it up $5k near me. So I went with the 23 Integra at MSRP, and I absolutely love it. Great video nonetheless, you guys do make valid points if both cars were at MSRP!

[ericpromisco]

The integra name is embossed on the front and rear as a throwback to the 3rd gen integra which also had the model name embossed on the front and rear bumpers.

As for the car itself, it's a solid all round package but it needed more power and possibly AWD to really justify the price increase over the si. I have the feeling the type s will also share a similar problem with the FL5.

[boyan]

My local honda dealer won't even ALLOW folks to test drive the Civic Si!!!! So people MUST be paying wy OVER MSRP for the Civic Si. I paid $500 below MSRP for the A-Spec with Tech, with the exterior and interior color of My Choice. You guys are talking about the dollars only. The Acura's space and layot is much beter for both passengers and cargo. Lumbar support is not in the Si, it is a cheap feeling and looking interior. Si is for kids, the Integra A-Spec with Tech is for grown-ups. You guys are way, way wrong.

[jamielannoo]

Yes the Si would’ve been a good car in the US but Honda stripped it to the bone feature wise.

The Integra A-Spec Tech has over the Si in the US

foglights
power seats
heads-up display
adaptive dampers
ELS sound system
rain sensing wipers
Parking sensors
Full digital dash
Auto dimming rear view mirror
Wi-fi cellular modem
Access via your smart phone
Reverse tilt side mirrors
Heated seats
Dual zone climate control.
Rear USB ports
Interior door card ambient lighting
Exterior door handles illuminate as you approach car.
Drivers seat auto retracts when you turn the car off.
Two driver customizable seat and infotainment settings.

And I’m probably missing things that I’m forgetting. It’s a ton of stuff a lot a lot of stuff.

Oh let’s not forget the horn sounds way better. They always give the Acuras the big boy horn.

[Jorge_Magallon]

Great video, as always. Acura Honda is in a rough place because they are trying to sandwich the Si, Integra and TLX across a relatively close price range without cannibalizing one or another. At the same time they are competing with other manufacturers. The auto industry seems like a rough business.

[krisschedler]

All your points are valid, but I still think there is $8K worth of goodies to argue for Integra over Si, but it is debatable..
you get excellent ELS sound system, Hatchback form, adjustable dampers that do make a difference, adjustable drive modes, driver lumbar and it is adjustable, 10.5 inch customizable instrument panel along with adjustable ambient lighting, sunroof, ... and that fact that Honda dealers are pricing Civic Si at almost the Integra price, that fact alone makes the choice a slam dunk for some of us. And they are on the lot now

[cbhays]

While I agree with many of the criticisms, there are quite a number of upgrades vs. the civic SI that justify the price difference (even ignoring the difficulty of finding an SI at MSRP!)

Ride quality / dampers / ind mode
Sound system
Hatchback
Int. quality + int. color choices
Synth leather over cloth seats
Heated front seats, rear seat USB
HUD, rain sensing wipers
Seat memory and power adjust
Ext. styling and brand perception

I think there is 8k of value in the above. A lot of small things, but they add up to a fantastic car

[Indifference]

I think if Acura offered AWD on the integra it would be Awesome!! That would differentiate it enough from the Si especially for the price difference

[thirdpedalnirvana]

As an engineer I understand why it didn't get AWD. Adding AWD to a FWD chassis that was never designed with AWD in mind is no small task. That said... these are going to start seeing rebates and discounts because $8k just for looks and a badge isn't really going to be worth it for very many people.

[Frank_T]

Edmunds tested the Si and Integra A-Spec head-to-head in a u-drag race. The better driver won the race in both the Si and Integra which suggests the differences between them are very minimal. I really think the perceived differences in how you guys think they drive is exactly that - just perception. The Integra really is just a slightly nicer, bigger and heavier Si. I don't think that makes it a worse car than the Si. Not everyone just wants the best performance possible. Those extra features (the hatch, adaptive suspension, heads up display, full digital gauge cluster, heated seats, memory seats, ELS audio system, styling etc) are things people care about. Different strokes for different folks. Also, the Civic Si won't be coming with the summer tire option from the factory after this year.

[mamakd]

The old Integra also had “Integra” molded in the front bumper under the headlight

[geneicsparan]

Guys relax not every car that’s almost 40k and fwd needs awd. I don’t see how awd would make the car any better. Integra has never been awd. Perhaps it could use the SH ATTS system from the prelude or 4wheel steering.