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2023 Integra Will Be Acura's New Flagship—and Entry-Level Vehicle
Acura has locked in the Integra's design, a modern take on the compact sporty car. But it's no ILX replacement.
Alisa PriddleAuthorManufacturerPhotographer
Aug 19, 2021The Integra will become the new flagship when the NSX retires, Acura Brand Officer Jon Ikeda tells MotorTrend in an interview. It is a different approach, the Integra being an attainable, entry-level car. But there are "so many warm and fuzzies around it," he says, and it underscores Acura's positioning as an inclusive luxury brand that likes to punch above its weight. Acura has been rebuilding the brand for six years and had to get the NSX out first, to reorient the brand.
"Now it's the right time to retire the halo and bring in the volume entry car. It's time to return to Integra." Enthusiasts are excited that the Integra, an affordable compact car, will be returning. Acura has high expectations for the car—which will not be electrified when it arrives next year, in part to be able to price it as entry level model.
Acura Integra Design Locked In
The design of the Integra has been locked in. Ikeda describes it as "an Integra for this generation. " Ikeda says he is happy with the design, which is quite sporty, and recognizable as an Integra. He will not confirm if it has two doors or four. "Integra is not a replacement for ILX but Integra is our entry gateway vehicle. We don't plan on having something below that."
Can you have two versions of Integra: coupe and sporty four door, as in the past? "Maybe."
Integra Developed in Japan
The new Integra is being developed in Japan even though it is a more iconic vehicle in the U.S. The team leader has a vested interest: his first two cars after joining Honda were both Integras. Ikeda told him to make sure the team includes all the elements that made him buy an Integra, including the price.
The Integra will use the Honda Civic platform. And there could be some Honda Type R bones in there, but don't expect the full Type R treatment initially. Once Acura gets the car out next year, Ikeda says he knows people will be asking for a higher performance version. And Acura is pushing Type S across the lineup, building equity in the sub-brand. "I am aware people will want an Integra Type S," Ikeda says.
Integra will be a high-volume vehicle and will be made in the U.S., its largest market, Ikeda says. It will help him achieve is goal of 200,000 annual Acura sales in the U.S. He is aiming for 180,000 sales this year, led by the Acura MDX.
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I think this has a lot of potential. Acura's sedan lineup is a hot mess. The new TLX seems to be step 1 toward redemption. I sold Acuras in 1990 when the 2nd gen Integra was being sold. Maybe I have some historical fondness for the car that others don't. But I think if Acura can capture some of that original recipe they could have a winner on their hands. There are very few purpose-built entry level compact sport sedans (most are base model econo-boxes with "sporty" stuff bolted on). I'm curious to see how it evolves. Anything to put the hideous ILX out to pasture.
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I think this has a lot of potential. Acura's sedan lineup is a hot mess. The new TLX seems to be step 1 toward redemption. I sold Acuras in 1990 when the 2nd gen Integra was being sold. Maybe I have some historical fondness for the car that others don't. But I think if Acura can capture some of that original recipe they could have a winner on their hands. There are very few purpose-built entry level compact sport sedans (most are base model econo-boxes with "sporty" stuff bolted on). I'm curious to see how it evolves. Anything to put the hideous ILX out to pasture.
And I think that's where the disconnect is;
in the last 2 decades, Acura has put out less than stellar products... they keep saying they'll go back to their roots (the roots to which you speak of) except they don't and have not delivered on their promises.
The TLX Type-S isn't what they promised, it's a good car! just not what Acura/Honda is most famous for. Their roots.
Last edited by justnspace; Aug 24, 2021 at 08:14 AM.
in the last 2 decades, Acura has put out less than stellar products... they keep saying they'll go back to their roots (the roots to which you speak of) except they don't and have not delivered on their promises.
The TLX Type-S isn't what they promised, it's a good car! just not what Acura/Honda is most famous for. Their roots.
Yeah I really think Acrua has lost it's identity in the market. Back in 1990, it was pretty exciting becasue Acura, Lexus and Infiniti were all new brands and there was a lot of excitement about these new Japanese luxury brands taking on the European brands. They were great values, offered rock solid reliability and could compete with the entry offerings of BMW and Audi at the time. But over time I think Lexus and Infiniti definitely pushed their brands upscale while Acrua didn't. And now some traditional brands are pushing up into the "near luxury" realm (Mazda, Hyundai/Kia, maybe even some Toyotas and Hondas). So they are either in the market space of a "fancy Honda" or they need to go all in and be at the Lexus/Infinity/BMW/Audi level. I've owned six Acuras and I was always drawn to them for the combination of value, reliability and "luxury enough" appointments with a dash of fun to drive. Will be interesting to see how it all shakes out in the next couple years.
in the last 2 decades, Acura has put out less than stellar products... they keep saying they'll go back to their roots (the roots to which you speak of) except they don't and have not delivered on their promises.
The TLX Type-S isn't what they promised, it's a good car! just not what Acura/Honda is most famous for. Their roots.
Precisely why I jumped ship, read: boring boring boring cars with less than stellar drivetrains and that's being kind.
in the last 2 decades, Acura has put out less than stellar products... they keep saying they'll go back to their roots (the roots to which you speak of) except they don't and have not delivered on their promises.
The TLX Type-S isn't what they promised, it's a good car! just not what Acura/Honda is most famous for. Their roots.
Meh, IMO mid-2000's to me was the best period for Acura's stellar products 3G TL, 2G RL, 1G MDX , 1G TSX, 1G NSX (although very old at the time).
That was also the best sales period for Acura.
Originally Posted by justnspace
At the very core, I am a Honda man!
waiting for that "magic" to come back
+1, I'm a Honda man as well.
There's been alot of ebb and flow in the past few decades, with the new Civic as a platform maybe the Integra will turn out to be special again.
Last edited by Legend2TL; Aug 24, 2021 at 09:59 AM.
Justn - right there with you and Legend. We've had a least one Honda in the driveway since 1989.
Chief - I almost bought the 1988 version of what's in your pic soon after graduating college. The kicker at the time was that a radio and AC were dealer installed accessories and that was something like another $1400. So I bought a much lesser version being a 1988 Ford Escort GT for a lot less $$ Was a decent car and I put about 175K on it before getting rid of it.
Legend - I agree, but perhaps the later 2000's. Had and still have a 3G TL and the Mrs. had a 2G MDX which up until her 2G RDX was her favorite vehicle of all she drove.
My wife's Integra LS 5D 5MT, figure post some nostalgia pics.
Wife and I started dating when I took her car shopping, she originally wanted a Accord EX I convinced her to look at the new Integra in May 1986.
Lotta nice memories including bringing our oldest daughter home from hospital after being born
Held up very well for 241K miles and 18 years
Note the 7K redline and how clean the engine bay is
Last edited by Legend2TL; Aug 24, 2021 at 11:21 AM.
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I think this has a lot of potential. Acura's sedan lineup is a hot mess. The new TLX seems to be step 1 toward redemption. I sold Acuras in 1990 when the 2nd gen Integra was being sold. Maybe I have some historical fondness for the car that others don't. But I think if Acura can capture some of that original recipe they could have a winner on their hands. There are very few purpose-built entry level compact sport sedans (most are base model econo-boxes with "sporty" stuff bolted on). I'm curious to see how it evolves. Anything to put the hideous ILX out to pasture.
It's no coincidence that all of the great vehicles that we're all fond of were rebadged JDM Hondas (Integra, Inspire, NSX, Legend, Vigor). The crop of bleh vehicles that they've put out over the last 10-15 years were all designed and engineered by Acura for the American market, and in most cases, using Honda's left-overs.
Last edited by civicdrivr; Aug 24, 2021 at 11:22 AM.
Good god you guys are old...and I thought I was old lol. When you guys were buying Acuras I was learning to poop on the toilet.
My family used to be a hardcore Honda family but have changed over the years. Now we just have one Honda (my sister's HRV that I still don't know why she bought it) and the rest are Subarus (two Outbacks, one Crosstrek, and an Ascent), a Jeep, and a Tesla.
It's no coincidence that all of the great vehicles (Integra, NSX, Legend, Vigor) that we're all fond of were rebadged JDM Hondas. The crop of bleh vehicles that they've put out over the last 10-15 years were all designed and engineered by Acura, and in most cases, using Honda's left-overs.
The issue isn't that they were engineered by Acura, it's that they were engineered for the US market, not the global market like they used to be.
It's no coincidence that all of the great vehicles that we're all fond of were rebadged JDM Hondas (Integra, Inspire, NSX, Legend, Vigor). The crop of bleh vehicles that they've put out over the last 10-15 years were all designed and engineered by Acura for the American market, and in most cases, using Honda's left-overs.
Very true. My 06 TSX was the Accord overseas, and stands today as the best car I've ever owned.
You know this is OT a bit, but over and over again I see cars made for outside the US market that would be amazing to have here and we never get them. It's like what reputation does the US have abroad that causes these automakers to make these "less than" versions for our market? Or maybe it's our regulations. It's frustrating. We want nice things too.
My wife's Integra LS 5D 5MT, figure post some nostalgia pics.
Wife and I started dating when I took her car shopping, she originally wanted a Accord EX I convinced her to look at the new Integra in May 1986.
Lotta nice memories including bringing our oldest daughter home from hospital after being born
Held up very well for 241K miles and 18 years
Note the 7K redline and how clean the engine bay is
Love the pics! I had a friend in High School that had an 86 as well. Great memories.
Very true. My 06 TSX was the Accord overseas, and stands today as the best car I've ever owned.
You know this is OT a bit, but over and over again I see cars made for outside the US market that would be amazing to have here and we never get them. It's like what reputation does the US have abroad that causes these automakers to make these "less than" versions for our market? Or maybe it's our regulations. It's frustrating. We want nice things too.
People here prioritize size and price over quality compared to the rest of the world so you'll see bigger cars at a cheaper price here in the US compared to the rest of the world. Has very little to do with regulations.
Judging by the proportions, I'm still thinking it's going to be a reskinned Civic hatch. Hopefully it'll get the k20c otherwise it's DOA.
Considering that's been describing the ILX for the last decade, I think the new Integra replacement will do just fine. It'll get all the nostalgic Acura folks as well as the entry-level buyers the ILX used to serve.
Judging by the proportions, I'm still thinking it's going to be a reskinned Civic hatch. Hopefully it'll get the k20c otherwise it's DOA.
Agreed. I’m starting think they’ll go the way of the Acura CSX….which worked ok due north. But, it probably won’t fly as much for us Yanks. Hopefully a 2.0T and proper chassis tuning will be part of the equation.
MotorTrend
Meh, IMO mid-2000's to me was the best period for Acura's stellar products 3G TL, 2G RL, 1G MDX , 1G TSX, 1G NSX (although very old at the time).
I agree - hope there is a 2-dr version.
