JM2010 SH-AWD

Like the reviewer, I was struck during our test drive by the capacity in the hatch area. I even commented to my wife that we could sleep back there with the seats down. For us, that utility is a big part of the car's appeal.

loki

Please.......Your source is Acura's marketing pamphlet? The same marketing that literally calls Integra, I quote Acura's website: "Premium Sports High Performance Legacy". Premium without navigation in 2022 and high performance 1.5 CVT............................You seriously think anyone in a market for compact sport sedan/hatch will debate between 2.0T DCT and 1.5T CVT that goes 0-60 in 3 to 5 business days? And I love how the pamphlet conveniently excludes engine size and torque numbers

silverTL6

iTrader: (2)

The 2022 ILX is also still being sold, so they could've just kept its 8DCT production lines going. The reality is that it's likely a pricier unit than the CVT, and/or recertifying it with the 1.5T for the N/A market would've prevented them keeping its ~$30k base price, which was one of the few ways they could justify its measly 1.5T.

silverTL6

iTrader: (2)

Forgot to mention..."went out of production" is just an easy way for them to hide the ugly truth, so they can focus on preaching other changes that the average consumer will care even less about (e.g. 2% stiffer than Civic sedan, 5% stiffer than Civic hatch, Sport-tuned CVT).

I'll admit this will be a great car for the average joe who doesn't know squat about cars, but is that who they really want to cater to?

JM2010 SH-AWD

^ You really should drive one. I was underwhelmed at first about the idea of the 1.5T. But the very positive driving reviews of the Civic SI got my attention. The Integra Aspec Tech we drove last weekend was surprisingly fun to drive. Quick turn-in, really good feel and stability in the turns and very nimble feeling -- a lot like our old 91 Integra coupe. The 1.5 sounds pretty good (aided by non-obnoxious artificial noise in the cabin) and is very responsive from tip in. It revs freely to redline and keeps building power all the way up.

We didn't drive the CVT, so I can't speak to that model. I don't know, but I'd guess a lot of folks who opt for the CVT won't care as much about driving characteristics as we do.

In short, however, we were very pleasantly surprised. The car won't win 0-60 or quarter mile shootouts, but it's a pleasant, fun to drive car that is responsive to driver inputs. Again, much like our old Integra. And it will get better than 30 mpg combined to boot.

fiatlux

Seeing as how they’re in the business of making money, yes that’s who they want to cater to. Enthusiasts are just a side show for most car companies. The perception of performance is what they are using to move cars; whether or not it actually lives up to the hype is irrelevant because the vast majority of the buyers would never drive the car in a way to call them out on it when it doesn’t.

fiatlux

C&D just released their test numbers, and there are no surprises; it’s exactly what you’d expect of a slightly heavier Civic Si running all seasons

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...integra-drive/

PredatorWH

I believe my old RSX premium also had a 7s 0-60. Would have liked to see them put the 2.0t in the integra for a little performance gain over a 20 year old vehicle.

fiatlux

A Type S variant is on the way, per the leaked product roadmap. The only question is whether it'll get the 2.0T from the CTR, or the one from the Accord/RDX/TLX. My heart hopes for the former, but knowing Honda/Acura my brain tells me it'll be the latter.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Think a DCT or 10AT would go a long way with this motor, considering how much slower the 2.0T Accord 6MT is compared to the 2.0T Accord 10AT.

Accord 2.0T 10AT:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 12.7 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 19.0 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.9 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.9 sec @ 104 mph

Accord 2.0T 6MT:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 15.3 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 21.8 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.0 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 10.8 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 7.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.7 sec @ 98 mph

Taking 2 shifts to hit 60mph and no launch control don't help at all for the all-important 0-60mph and 1/4 mile ET. Having said that, the 1/4 mile trap speed of 93mph is decent and on par with the A220. The A3 when it had the 220hp motor did 98mph. But with the new one being 20hp down, it probably will be closer to 95mph?

Acura TL Builder

Love how the competitors also have 17" wheels and one even 18s yet no green checkmarks.



Watched it for the toe, but only got a face.

JM2010 SH-AWD

I have a colleague with an S3. Nice-looking car and plenty quick, but it's useless for hauling more than 2 people (including the driver). We had four people (with briefcases, computer bags, etc.) for a short trip to a restaurant, and it was painful for all involved. And the trunk is tiny to boot.

PredatorWH

Either way the 2.0T with the 10At will give it some decent performance.

loki

1995 Integra LS Base 1.8 did 0-60 in 6.7s. 27 years later...takes 7s. Great progress.

Accord 6MT gets to 60 in 2nd gear, hitting the rev limiter at 62 mph. Also, there's not a single modern car where MT is quicker or even the same 0-60 as the AT version. I'm talking about proper transmissions, not mickey mouse CVTs. That doesn't mean the MT is bad, it means AT is excellent. If your goal is to hit 0-60 in tenths of a second faster and would for that rather see automatic 2.0T in Integra instead of MT, then I don't know...There are so many 2.0T 10AT options in Honda lineup. What would make Integra stand out at that point? How many times in your daily drive you get a chance (space, weather, etc) to launch 0-60 from a stop light? And even if you have a chance, do you do it? The obsession with 0-60 is mind boggling. You don't drive a spec sheet in the real world.

DaIll1

In my opinion, the electronic traction control for the automatics suck. If they had a LSD and paddle shifted it would be a no brainer. I love MT for the performance in twistys, but an automatic is way better for a primarily city driver / family car.

loki

LSD from CTR bolts on to 2.0T 6MT Accord, I have that on my list to do once the power-train warranty runs out. Until then, any type of tuning is pointless as it's a one wheel peel machine. I have an Acura RL for daily driver duties, the 6MT is a leisure car, I only have 20K on it and I've owned it more than 3 years.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

The A3 has a passenger volume of 87 cu.ft and cargo room of 11 cu.ft. The Integra is at 96 cu.ft and 24 cu.ft respectively. There's really no contest when it comes to practicality between the two lol.

My apologies, the getting to 60mph with 2 shifts was referring to the Integra lol. Also 100% agree that MT is simply slower than AT/DCT nowadays for modern cars. Don't get me wrong, I love my S2k and my now gone CTR and their 6MT. I was only saying that the Integra with the 6MT/CVT will never beat the DCT/AT and launch control equipped competitors. That's all.

cruiserchuck

I owned a 1994 Integra LS coupe, and there is no way it did 0 - 60 in 6.7s, with its 142 hp engine. According to this article, the 170 hp GS-R model only did 0-60 in 6.9s. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...m-test-review/

bilirubin

Correct, the GS-R has always done 60 in the high 6's and low 7's. No way would the LS engine be quicker. I have driven the Integra LS, definitely not quicker than a GS-R.

JM2010 SH-AWD

Correct. That listed 0-60 for a '95 LS Integra is BS. I owned a 90 and a 91 LS. Loved them both, but 0-60 with the 5MT was in low 9s. Modern Integra would eat them for lunch every day, as it should.

Don't know where that 6.7 second number came from, but it's not in reality.

In fact, I also had a beautiful 92 Legend Coupe. It would run about 7.3 0-60, so the modern Integra would likely be faster than my Legend too.

fiatlux

cnet is late to the party, but what they're saying is pretty consistent with everyone else

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/review...ntegra-review/

Nedmundo

I just returned from a short test drive, and I agree with your comments about turn-in, stability, and agility. It really is fun to drive, and I was also pleasantly surprised. I tested the top trim A-Spec with Tech, and the suspension was beautifully tuned for suburban roads. It seemed compliant enough for the city too, but of course I'd need to try it. The seats, stereo, and ergonomics were all great. I felt right at home, as I often do in Hondas.

I drove the CVT, and it's great--for a CVT. It feels pretty close to a conventional automatic and is worlds better than the CVT in our Subaru, but that's not saying much. Unfortunately, I think my stick shift days are coming to an end for a variety of reasons, so if I buy an Integra, it will have the CVT. I don't like it and I still maintain it should have the 8DCT, but it functions well enough for the daily grind.

mapleloaf

I recently test drove a ASpec Tech Integra with a CVT. We owned a 2014 Altima with a CVT, that was a good car but somewhat drony at lower speeds and when cold. This CVT is night and day better than that and functioned more like a decent automatic with the "fake" shift points. Likes and dislikes:

- excellent fuel economy
- more than enough power to enjoy driving, although no street racer for the "enthusiasts"
- Good looking car,, especially in person although not at the level of my TLX. (received yet another parking lot experience, where the person needed to tell me how gorgeous my Apex Blue TLX was. Happens several times a week.
- handles quite well, very minimal body roll when cornering. Being less weighty than my TLX, the loss of SH-AWD would be less of an issue.
- as mentioned the CVT is a very good one, but, fuel economy aside, is not as satisfying as the 8 speed DCT or my current 10 speed auto. However, not a deal breaker for me, especially at 2 bucks a litre.
- Touch screen is fine, but I must say that I am more comfortable with the True Touch pad, especially while driving, vs reaching to a touch screen. Again, not a deal breaker.
- Sound system is excellent of course, just not quite at the level of my 2021 TLX.
- Seats were comfortable, although they felt a little small compared to my TLX. The faux leather will likely wear well.
- Interior is generally nice, but lacks the more luxurious look and feel of the TLX, but a definite upgrade on the Civic. To be expected.

If I was in the market now, I would give this car serious consideration. No gouging at my dealership. However, as Acura is supposed to introduce EV models in 2024, the year my current lease ends, that will likely be my priority. Depending upon production issues and gasoline pricing, I think the new Integra can do very well as the entry point into the Acura lineup.

fiatlux

I was able to (finally) test drive a 6MT Integra today.

As a car, the Integra is far far better than the ILX it replaces in almost all aspects. It's not just incrementally better; it's a big leap. The interior, while not as nice as the TLX, is much improved over the ILX which felt cheap. There's still some hard plastics, but not nearly as much as the ILX, and there's much more soft touch materials all around. The refinement and ride quality is also a huge improvement. The old ILX felt like a tired 9G Civic (which it was), whereas this car feels like a proper premium/entry-level luxury car. In terms of solidness, low NVH, and ride quality this would rival that of the A3 and I think is actually better than the 2-Series GC. The resolution of the digital dash was also better than I expected, and the infotainment system was responsive, easy to use, and I much prefer it over the TrueTouch system in the rest of the lineup.

From a practicality perspective, it's a bit odd. I have more leg room sitting behind myself than in the TLX, so legroom is great for its class. However, I'm 5'8 and my head hits the roof when sitting in the outboard seats. The roof starts slanting down towards the side, so I have to lean towards the center to avoid having my head touch the roof. Compare that to the TLX where I have plenty of headroom in the outboard seats. Strangely enough, I actually have enough headroom sitting in the center seat in the Integra, whereas in the TLX you have to be shorter than 5'4 in order to sit in that center seat due to the inexplicably thick seat cushion for that spot.

The driving dynamics is also a bit of a mixed bag for me, and honestly there is where I was most disappointed. I went in knowing that this car isn't going to win many stoplight races, but I had a chance to wind it out a few times and it didn't even feel "quick". In Normal mode, the car feels no different than a regular Civic, but once you put it into Sport mode throttle response is way better; the car feels like it makes boost earlier (I don't know if this is true, but it feels like it). That said, low-range and mid-range is just OK, but north of around 5000 RPM it just plateaus. Even if this car were to be faster than the old Si and RSX-S, it just doesn't feel quicker, and it's not as enjoyable to wind out.

I was also a bit disappointed in the shift feel. Yes, it's one of the better ones on the market, but it didn't feel as precise as the old ones. Throws were heavier, but also a little more clunky and rubbery. It felt closer to the 6MT in BMWs than the old Honda 6MTs. Again, not bad, but I prefer the old one more.

It was tough to really gauge handling driving in the middle of San Francisco, so I'll have to take another test drive to figure that out. However, steering did feel well weighted, and taking some turns quickly there was little body roll. Didn't really get to feel out the LSD.

I think for someone looking for a nice entry-level luxury car who isn't a car person, the base car is a hell of a value. You get a lot for your monies worth, it feels as good if not better than the competition, and the 1.5T is competant as a daily driver. However, as an enthusiasts, paying $38K for a top spec 6MT is a bit of a harder sell. I can understand why this car is $8K more than an Si; the equipment and overall build quality definitely supports that. However, you're still looking at $40K OTD for a car that just doesn't feel that enjoyable to drive hard. Those K20 cars were a lot of fun to drive hard even on city streets, but this one just wasn't. Maybe the fun opens up on a twisty windy road, but as far as daily driving is concerned it just doesn't feel special or exciting. I really do think the sweet spot for this car is the base car, or maybe A-Spec if you think the cosmetic bits is worth $2K. If Acura can pump these out in volume, I think they've got a sales hit on their hands. Most everything about it is excellent, provided you look at it as transportation and not a toy. For me, I'll have to keep waiting for the Type S version.

JM2010 SH-AWD

The Type S certainly will be the version for enthusiasts. This car is exactly what the old LS and GS models were -- a good looking car that has some nice luxury touches, is fun to drive, handles well, gets very good mpg and (for this version) holds 4 people reasonably comfortably (quite comfortably in front) and a lot of stuff in the rear. In 2022 dollars it is within $1K of what we paid for our '90 and '91 LS models.

I expect the Type S, when it comes, will be around $42K, maybe a bit higher. I hope they retain the 6MT model option offer it with at least the 272HP version of the 2.0 motor.

Legend2TL

I'm hoping to see a K20 turbo (TD03 or TD04) as well as the dual axis front CTR suspension and Brembo's

loki

If the puny 1.5 is $38k, your wish list would be $50k, minimum. Honda has already made a hot mess out of their "sport(y) cars" lineup, there's no way they put CTR engine, suspension and brakes in an Integra and have 3 cars (CTR, Integra-S, TLX-S) compete against each other around $50k.

fiatlux

Legend2TL

The husband/wife (?) have a split difference on the Integra

Tony Pac

I have to admit one thing, Acura shouldn't have used the CVT. The rest, this car is amazing!

JM2010 SH-AWD

I just returned from a 500 mile trip in a rental Accord EX-L with the 1.5L and CVT. Very nice car.

The thing is a little sluggish off the line, but on the highway, it really goes. When you accelerate from about 70 or so, once it hits about 80 mph, it just takes off. I almost decided to check under the hood to make sure it wasn't the 2.0 (which I already knew because of the CVT, of course).

Surprisingly quick on the highway, and about 36-39 mpg at an average of about 75 mph. Pretty impressive.

Legend2TL

Agreed, use of the DCT woulda be best as a carry over from the ILX/TLX

Legend2TL

You nor I have any clue what that wish list would cost for Honda/Acura or what they'd price it at.

JM2010 SH-AWD

The Si is a great car (which is why it made perfect sense as the base for the new Integra). Everyone has to decide for themselves if the Integra's extra features are worth the price differential over the Si.

The video talks about the VW competing products. We keep our cars for 10 years or more, so a Euro car (particularly VW) is just not in the running.

Tony Pac

Well said. VW and all German cars in general go for multiple surgeries as soon as they hit the year 4 Let's not forget these surgeries are life-threatening lol!

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for your review! I also sat in one at the dealer (didn't drive it) and share the same thoughts as you - great quality inside, good legroom in general, but rear headroom is poor (I'm the same height as you). I almost bumped my head when climbing into the back seat. which was never an issue with the FK7/8. My cousin has a new civic hatch back sport touring and I can see how the interior of the Integra is that bit nicer, despite a very similar layout.

Here in Canada, the base Integra is $34k CAD, whereas the Civic HB Sport is $32k CAD. That extra $2k CAD gets you leather seats, power seats, plus a few more goodies and I too feel that it's a great alternatively to the rather spartan Civic HB Sport. Granted, the Civic Sport Touring is just another $2k CAD more and is better equipped than the base Integra. Then again, you do get a little bit more quality and power in the Integra. Admittedly, the jump to the top Elite A-spec in Canada is a big one at $42.5k CAD (you get HUD, adaptive dampers, heated rear seats, ELS sound system, etc), much more so than in the US I feel like. If they would offer just the Elite trim without the A-spec stuff for $39k CAD ($3.5k CAD more than HB Sport Touring), that might be a good seller. Likewise, I think in the US, the Integra can do with a Tech pkg only option for $33,800. At that price you can't even get a base model Audi A3.

Tony Pac

Great summary!

I thought the top model Integra is $50K taxes included (Canada), which I found it a bit expensive but at the same time, car prices are insane now. I don't want to compare but Mazda called me to change my 2 year old CX-5. They are asking me to pay $300 more per month to get another CX-5. I couldn't believe it...I was legit laughing!

Yes, the new model has a few more features but are they gone mad? Almost double than what I pay????? Anyway, in 2020, I was able to negotiate and get a CX5 for for $400 and now they are asking $700. That said, Integra isn't expensive compared to CLA, A3 and 2Series. It's a very decent car.

Legend2TL

Legend2TL

DaIll1

That rev hang would be very annoying.