Acura Integra has returned! It’s kind of. A few days ago Acura unveiled the “Integra Prototype”, which gives us a very good idea of what we can expect from the sedan that’s set to launch next year.
“The Integra is one of the most iconic models in Acura’s history,” said Jon Ikeda, Acura’s brand officer. “This new Integra, will continue to deliver on the original’s unique aspirational yet attainable market position, with emotional performance and style, combined with the versatility and utility sought after by today’s buyers.”
The brand revealed that the car would cost around $30,000. A 1.5-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine will power the car. The Civic Si also has one. Additionally, the vehicle will come standard with a manual gearbox. We were curious about its performance compared to similar-priced enthusiast-oriented vehicles.
Read Also: 2022 Subaru WRX Vs. 2022 Hyundai Elantra N: How Do They Compare?
The Integra is a beloved car, but there has been a lot of activity in the sports sedan market since 2006. The new version of this rad classic will live up the hype or sink beneath the pressure of its past and an increasingly crowded field.
Acura Integra 2023
› Price: $30,000 (EST)
› Engine: 1.5-liter turbo
› Power & Torque: +200-hp / +192 lb-ft (EST)
› Transmission: 6sp Manual / CVT
› On Sale: 2022
Although no power output has been officially announced, we know that the Civic Si’s 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 200 hp (202 PS/149 kW) and 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) of torque, so we have some idea of what’s coming. While we expect more from the Type S, that’s a pretty good basis from which to start.
Acura will offer the Integra with its six-speed manual transmission. That will also be a move that should attract goodwill among the customers it wants to sell. A limited-slip diff should help make it fun to drive, but it’s not the only model offering that kind of experience.
Honda Civic Si 2022
› Price: $27,300
› Engine: 1.5-liter turbo
› Power & Torque: 200-hp / 192 lb-ft
› Transmission: 6sp Manual
› On Sale: Now
As we’ve learned, many of the Acura Integra’s performance bona fides are borrowed from the Civic Si. It remains to be determined if Acura will boost performance in order to justify spending the additional three grand or if Acura will simply depend on the Acura brand for the luxury.
Honda promises, though, that the 11th-gen Civic Si is the “best-handling, best-equipped, and most fun-to-drive Civic Si ever.” Again, the Integra Type S may introduce more power, but will people care about the base Integra when there’s a perfectly good Civic Si for less?
2022 Hyundai Elantra N
› Price: $30,000 (EST)
› Engine: 2.0-liter turbo
› Power & Torque: +276-hp / 289 lb-ft
› Transmission: 6sp Manual / 8sp Auto
› On Sale: 2022
Hyundai has gone back to old tricks. They are underpricing their power and performance and are overdelivering. Elantra N delivers 276 horsepower (279 PS/205kW) and 289 Lb-ft (391Nm) to the front wheels. However, this can be increased to 286 HP (289 PS/213kW) when used for short periods using a boost function.
That’s a lot more power than both the Honda and, in all likelihood, the Acura, albeit U.S. pricing hasn’t been officially revealed yet, so that estimate may be generous. Regardless, the Elantra N should be a serious competitor and although it doesn’t have the name recognition of the Integra, does that matter when it delivers so much power in a pretty competent package?
2022 Subaru WRX
› Price: $30,000 (EST)
› Engine: 2.4-liter turbo
› Power & Torque: 271-hp / 258 lb-ft
› Transmission: 6sp Manual / CVT
› On Sale: 2022
Subaru has a new WRX coming in early 2022 and it’s also expected to ring in at around $30,000. The new WRX will feature a turbocharged 4-cylinder turbo-four-cylinder engine that produces 271 horsepower (274 PS/202kW) and 258 Lb-ft (355 Nm) respectively. That’s a little less than the Elantra N, but a healthy figure all the same. Plus, as ever, it comes with Subaru’s full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive.
A six-speed manual transmission or a CVT transmission are available to drivers. Although the new WRX received a mixed reception, iterative improvements to its transmission and AWD may make it a more powerful track weapon.
2022 VW Jetta GLI
› Price: $30,995
› Engine: 2.0-liter turbo
› Power & Torque: 228-hp / 258 lb-ft (EST)
› Transmission: 6sp Manual / 7sp Dual-Clutch
› On Sale: Now
The Jetta GLI was only updated for the model year 2022. It is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. This engine produces 228 HP (231 PS/170kW) as well as 258 lb/ft (349 Nm) which is more than that of the Integra.
It’s also only offered in one, fully-loaded trim for 2022. It remains to be determined if VW-content will have the luxury to compete with Acura, however the Jetta GLI is a worthy vehicle and one you can drive home right now.
2022 VW Golf GTI
› Price: $29,545
› Engine: 2.0-liter turbo
› Power & Torque: 241-hp / 273 lb-ft
› Transmission: 6sp Manual / 7sp Dual-Clutch
› On Sale: Now
The Jetta GLI, unlike the Golfs of old, is more than just a Golf with a car trunk. That means that although they’re powered by the same engine, the U.S.-spec Golf GTI gets 241 hp (244 PS/179 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque out of it. The price is also very affordable at $29,545, even though it has less standard equipment.
Offering the very latest technology directly from Volkswagen’s European headquarters, the GTI may divide opinions with its newfangled infotainment, but it at least offers an old-school manual transmission and track-proven performance. And who cares if it’s not a sedan when it’s a GTI? The Integra’s ability to measure up against such a model is likely to be its greatest test.
Acura appears to be making good decisions with Integra. However, will Acura’s name and past be enough to succeed in such a busy, competitive market? Would you like to have one of these models in your driveway?
