2023 acura integra manual transmission.2023 Acura Integra Manual First Test: The Honda Civic Si for Adults

Looking for:

2023 acura integra manual transmission 

Click here to DOWNLOAD

    ❿  

2023 acura integra manual transmission.2023 Acura Integra First Drive: Back To The Future, Manual Included

 

The Integra comes standard at base level with a seven-inch touchscreen, All Integras are equipped with hill start assist, which is particularly handy with the manual transmission. Upgrading to the A-Spec and Technology package adds rain-sensing wipers, wireless charging, a head-up display, and a watt, speaker premium audio system by ELS Studio.

From an aesthetic perspective alone, there are several notable differences. The A-Spec trim adds stainless steel pedals, red gauge needles, and red contrast stitching on the steering wheel, console and shifter base. Everything up from the chassis is unique to Integra, from the structure to the design. Because the liftgate was essential to the reboot design, Acura added structure to compensate.

In this form, the Integra takes a big step down in appeal. Three drive modes are accessible with a quick flick of the wrist. In comfort mode, the drive is more compliant and supple, and the steering is lighter.

For a more spirited drive, sport mode activates a stiffer suspension and steering that gives the Integra enough grace and space to carve canyons or tackle rolling hills. And let me answer the big question: With a manual transmission, is it as good as the wildly popular Civic Si? The commonality is clear, but everything from the tuning to the software is unique to the Integra. The gear shifting is forgiving and supple, and even when I left it in third gear to climb a small hill, the car graciously pulled without feeling stressed.

One feature the Civic Si brings to the table that the Integra lacks is the gear number display inside the tachometer. It seems like a small detail that would be easy to add. Road noise is evident when traveling at speeds above 55 mph, which is fair. I highly recommend cranking out whatever playlist inspires you because the sound is top-notch. I tip my hat to Acura for including a generous suite of safety and driver-assist features even at the base level of the new Integra.

Every car gets adaptive cruise control , lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, rear cross warning, pedestrian detection, collision mitigation braking system, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, auto high-beams and a multi-view rear camera with dynamic guidelines.

The only feature lacking if you choose a manual transmission is adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. Acura has succeeded in resurrecting a beloved dinosaur without the horrors of Jurassic Park. Truly sporty cars come across as a vivid conduit between driver and road—the new Integra doesn't. At this point we'd be remiss to not mention how the Acura Integra compares to the Honda Civic Si. The chassis, powertrain, and amenities in these vehicles are largely identical, and perhaps unsurprisingly they drive very much alike.

The shared shifter and clutch play a part in that. But our tests verify Honda's interpretation is the higher performer : It's quicker, stops better, and is grippier all around.

Crucial to that are the optional summer tires equipped on every modern Si we've tested; all-seasons are standard on the Si and the only choice on the Integra.

Much more important than the Si's fractional test-figure advantages, though, is the fact the Honda is sharper, louder, and more direct—simply put, more fun to drive. At the point where the Integra falters, the Si stays hungry for the road ahead. It's remarkable how two vehicles so similar in hardware, performance, and general feel end up with such different personalities.

This is not to suggest the Civic Si is necessarily better than the Integra. Aspects of the Acura make it more appealing than its platform counterpart, and—critically—cars in the luxury subcompact category. Its hatchback format is high on the list. With a conventional small sedan, there will come a time when you'll size up its trunk opening, contemplating how you'll get some rather large thing inside. There's little such issue with the Integra: Lift the rear enclosure and revel in the big cargo area, made bigger by folding the second row.

This setup makes Integra living realistic for anyone who carries bulky items or lifestyle gear. Its tall lift-over height is only a slight hindrance. The luxury quotient is there, too. Adaptive dampers fitted on the Integra A-Spec bring a suitably smooth ride in Normal and Comfort modes and stiffen just so in Sport. Plush centers and firm, supportive bolsters make the front seats quite comfortable. Beyond a standard Likewise, the cabin's layout and quality of materials are suitable for an entry-level luxury car.

Yet the interior's similarities to the Civic are obvious. Acura could have done more to avoid such comparisons, particularly by distinguishing touchpoints like the steering wheel, shift knob, or infotainment system layout.

But given how nice the Civic's interior is to begin with, how the Integra builds on it is no bad thing. The extra racket on a test drive could make it hard for Acura to win over Audi and Mercedes shoppers, even at a lower monthly lease payment.

This carries over to the interior as well, which is pleasant and practical but not exactly richly trimmed. The A-Spec car has some attractive upholstery options, including a red-leather-and-faux-suede combo and a white-and-black two-tone setup. But otherwise, the environs feel much like the Civic's thanks to similar mesh coverings for the air vents and piano-black trim on the center console. Granted, that's more of a compliment to the Civic's class-above materials than it is a knock against the Integra.

The cargo area is generous, and the Integra's hatch setup is unique among entry-luxury models. We fit 18 carry-on suitcases back there with the seats folded, and five with the seats up. The rear seat, too, is spacious but lacks details such as air vents that we expect in a premium car. And so we return to the idea of the Integra in context. And while the Integra looks like a good deal compared to the aforementioned Audi and Mercedes-Benz entries, Acura also has to watch out for other pseudo-luxury models such as the turbocharged Mazda 3 , which offers significantly more power than the Integra and arguably a more upscale experience in terms of design and refinement.

Viewed on its own, the Integra is fun to drive, fuel efficient, practical, and decent to look at. But it's not all that much more compelling than the Civic Si, or even the Sport Touring hatchback, despite costing quite a bit more. And it's not as luxurious as its German rivals. While we like the Acura, it is probably not the Integra the faithful were hoping for. To satisfy them, Acura is going to have to conjure up a Type S version with more power and grippier rubber.

Such is the burden of a great name. Rolling Start, 5—60 mph: 7.

❿     ❿