The new Integra has dropped and it has had very mixed responses already. For a car based on a '90s icon, it doesn't stray much from the modern Acura/ Honda lineup. There are a lot of great features that, frankly, convince us it's just about worth buying brand-new. Acura claimed that this is their gateway car to the Acura brand which implies it will be targeted towards a younger generation and also that it will have some pretty high standards for a car in general.
The car is based heavily on the Civic Si also from Honda and thus should come out as a purist FWD sports car once it can be driven, including a manual and some other sporty options that save you the trouble of aftermarket improvements. It turned out to be a lot different than some thought it would and we're just not sure how we feel about the look, but let's break it down.
9 It Will Cost Around $30,000
Acura says they want this car to be attainable and along with some nicer features we will talk about, they seem to be right on the mark, possibly a little steep, though. When it comes down to it this car doesn't have a big engine and isn't very unique, in fact, without hearing any horsepower numbers, we can already assume that there will be cheaper and faster cars on the market.
If it does catch on, it's likely a 2.0 Turbo will come out and maybe even a Type-R or Type-S version with a higher price point. As of yet, they have not said if the car is rear, front, or all-wheel drive but we can only assume it's front-wheel thanks to it being based on the Civic, and the old Acura Integra was front-wheel, too.
8 Five-Door Liftback
The thing is based on the Civic Hatchback so this car gets a liftback (shallower slope but with access to cab without barriers). Many proclaimed that it looked like a Honda Crosstour in a negative way, and it does have a lot of similarities. The butt is bigger, almost too long, and large-looking, and the lines...well, we'll get to that.
To go from a coupe to a four-door in a legacy car isn't unheard of but is a little strange. Frankly, we don't see very much need for the extra doors in the market but the convenience cannot be ignored. The combination of back-end space, we assume, is to match the BRZ/86 in their ability to fit their track tires in the back. A liftback might not be what an FWD warm-weather driving community is looking for, but they can still benefit.
7 The Design Had Mix Reactions
We've read the comments... it's not going well for Acura. While our first impression was sort of a shrug and a "looks like an ILX or Civic" we then realized that it was our bias, excitement at the Inegras re-release had swayed us. A second look and we cannot deny the similarities between this car and the Crosstour. In fact, except for the badge and some ride height, it could almost be the same car!
Despite wanting to appeal to a young generation with a "gateway vehicle" (Acura's words) they seemed to have missed the mark with the looks right off the bat. Yes, the internet people can be critical especially on social media but the response is overwhelming. We were already burned by the new WRX coming out in 2022 and we are starting to worry if there will be any more good looking affordable cars, closest in our mind being the 86/BRZ with its naturally aggressive body that is discernable as a sports car, unlike the Integra which can be mistaken for your grandma's luxury car at this point.
6 Based on The Civic Si
The Civic Si has been Honda's second-tier sports car for a while, being offered in the U.S. even when the Type-R wasn't. It's not fast by any standard but it is a fun front-wheel-drive car. The 2022 Civic Si promises to have 200 horsepower (up by 20) which is a fine amount for what is really a small and light car, but how will that convert to the Integra?
For one, the Si is naturally aspirated. The Acura will have more boost (we'll get to that, too) and thus probably be impressive and possibly near-Type-R-level when it comes to actually driving it. While the Si costs $27,300 if you can find one, more with some dealers tagging on premium fees for its scarcity, the $30,000 Integra will likely be more available and have little to no fees on top of it, being the cheapest of the Acura lineup.
5 Turbo!
You may be surprised (or not) to learn that not one single version of the old Integra ever came with a turbo! Not the Type-R, no special editions, nothing! In fact, a turbo is a rare and uncommon thing for Honda to play with on behalf of their buyers, only doing so in a very select few cars like the Accord 2.0, also very hard to find, and of course the new Type-R Civic.
Having a "spinny boy" from the factory means you have a car that' permitted a range of warranty-covered mods, can handle boost and is already wired with all sorts of induction monitors and devices! It opens the previously ignored door of aftermarket tinkering, a very rare thing for Acura as they hold very few modern car modifying customers.
4 19" Wheels
It might be hard to tell, it was for us, but the wheels on this are respectably big. Surely some more stretching and shaping had to be done outside of just the body when putting the Acura Integra on the Honda Civic Si body since the Si has just 18" wheels and isn't able to handle more than that very well.
The wheels are even bigger thanks to low-profile tires that allow room for the highly-visible yellow Brembo brakes that come free with the car. How nice of Toshihiro Mibe (CEO)! The blacked-out look matches the grille respectably well and close inspection grows out interest and respect. Just one thing... can we get rid of that 2012 decal? It's not even on straight!
3 Manual
Being a manual is a very respectable move for a generally older-generation-focused lineup. It means it absolutely will not be some commuter, luxury, or kind-of-fast sedan for your parents. No, this manual-only declaration means it will stick to its guns. This is a true Integra rebirth, even if the body is a little lazily designed.
The choice of manual means that this car will be made for the sports car purist. We can already predict that enthusiasts and die-hards will drive it and be impressed, as this car is made for them. The dwindling manual drivers club is safe for now, so hats off to yo, Honda, for this gift.
2 1.5 L Engine
Alright, there's no denying it.... this is a tiny engine. Acuras that look smaller have come with V8s in the past and are usually paired with at least a V6. We honestly expected a 2.0 turbo to match the Type-R... but no. Now, this might be a small-displacement engine for what is supposed to be the rebirth of a quick and affordable machine but even so, it's a Honda engine.
That's right... V-Tech. Variable valve timing is not likely going to less us down in factory-tuned combination with the turbo. While the Civic Si doesn't break any records at all how it stands with its own 1.5 L, we can only hope that the Integra weighs-in in less and offers more when it comes to putting our foot down, at least $3,000 more.
1 Performance-Minded
Unlike the Civic Si, thankfully, this Integra is clearly shaking out to be a performance-minded machine. One indicator is the large Brembo brakes proudly matching the body. Another is that a Type-S model is already slated to be developed in the next three to five years. Thirdly, it must replace a hole where the NSX once sat, though from the other end of the line. It has to keep Acura in motorsports and expectations are high.
Along with the performance are some standard and enjoyable features, as Honda and Acura have been good about quickly tricking down standard tech into their lower trims like heated seats, lane assist, and adaptive cruise control. Rumor alone has led us to believe that some sort of launch control, turbo gauge, and even possibly speed statistics like the Challenger has might be available, but this is mere conjecture. Either way, we're saving our pennies! It seems like a respectable deal.