• 2023 Acura Integra ($30,300 – $35,800)
• Pro: Acura’s entry-level nameplate is back; it offers an engaging drive, a comfortable interior, and plenty of cargo room.
• Con: The Integra is a little pricey, and it’s not as upscale as some competitors.

As I drove down the streets of my hometown in Northern California, I couldn’t help but grin at the thought that I used to drive a 1995 Acura Integra on the same streets over 20 years ago. But my bout of nostalgia quickly faded as I realized that the 2023 Acura Integra is a completely different car than the one that I drove back then – as it should be.

Gone are the round headlights and the high-revving VTEC engine. This all-new model is fitted with sharper looks, a host of tech gadgets, and a turbocharged powertrain. It’s refined and engaging, and it will make you not care that it doesn’t share much with the one that came before it.

What’s new for 2023?

The Acura Integra has returned after a 22-year hiatus as a 2023 model. Although its reemergence was a bit of a surprise and lukewarm at that, it gives entry-level luxury buyers a good amount of value and performance.

Which 2023 Acura Integra trim level is the best?

Choosing the right 2023 Acura Integra trim level is easy, as there are only three to choose from.

• Base: $30,800
• A-Spec: $32,800
• A-Spec with Technology: $35,800

Although we would typically recommend the mid-trim model for the best value, with the 2023 Integra, the top trim is what we would pick. The Integra A-Spec with the Technology package is not only equipped with everything you could want, but it also comes with the option of a six-speed manual transmission. Otherwise, a CVT is standard on every trim level.

My tester for the week was a 2023 Acura Integra A-Spec with Technology equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. Its price, as tested, including the destination charge, was $37,395.

How does the 2023 Acura Integra drive?

The 2023 Acura Integra offers an engaging and comfortable driving experience. The A-Spec models come with supportive Alcantara and leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and sport pedals, which add to the sporty feeling. If anything, they complement the car’s high-revving and turbocharged engine well. Of course, the slick-shifting manual transmission helps too.

Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that is shared with the current Honda Civic Si. That’s not a bad thing, considering the small powerplant churns out 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty of power for everyday driving.

When rowing the stick through the gears, a small amount of boost can be felt from the turbocharger as power builds through the rev range. It’s not a huge surge like you would feel in Volkswagen GTI, but it’s enough to make you feel that the car has enough power.

 Just like the older model from the late 90s, the 2023 Integra has VTEC, which can be felt and head at around 5,000 rpm. It’s not as pronounced as it is in the older Honda VTEC engines, but it adds to its overall enjoyment and drivability.

Aside from providing a good amount of power, the Acura Integra gives a good amount of comfort. On normal roads and highway speeds, the car’s adaptive suspension soaks up bumps and dips really well. One feature that sets it apart from its Civic Si corporate cousin is its adaptive suspension that’s soft in Comfort mode and firmed up in Sport mode.

To be honest, I didn’t notice a huge difference between the three available modes (Comfort, Normal, and Sport). If anything, the difference in throttle response and steering effort was greater.

Lastly, the Integra A-Spec’s 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-season tires impressed me the most. During my week in California, I experience torrential downpours, which put the car to the test. However, it passed with flying colors by providing optimal grip and confidence over every road.

Is the Acura Integra comfortable?

Yes, the 2023 Acura Integra provides a lot of comfort for front and rear-seat passengers. The front seats in the A-Spec model have 12 ways of power adjustment and lumbar support. They are comfortable on long drives, but my only complaint is that the thigh support is shallow, which could be uncomfortable for tall drivers.

There’s plenty of head and leg room for rear-seat passengers as well. However, the middle-seat occupant may feel cramped with the mid-floor hump. Additionally, the visibility is great out of all four corners, and the front and rear parking sensors make parallel parking easy. There’s a rearview camera as well, but it has the worst quality resolution that we have seen in a car yet.

Does the 2023 Acura Integra get good gas mileage?

Yes. During my week of testing, the 2023 Acura Integra averaged around 34 mpg through a combination of city and highway driving situations. That’s better than the EPA’s 30-mpg combined rating and on par with the separate 26-mpg city and 36-mpg highway ratings.

Does the 2023 Integra have nice tech features?

The 2023 Integra is strapped with a bevy of tech-savvy features, even in its base form. Before the higher trim levels are selected, the Acura Integra comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a powered moonroof, heated front seats, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and simulated leather upholstery.

There’s also a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wired Apple Carplay/Android Auto, one USB-A port, and a six-speaker audio system.

The A-Spec package adds LED foglights, exterior appearance enhancements, and 18-inch alloy wheels to the mix. Opting for the Technology package adds puddle lights, front and rear parking sensors, the option for a manual transmission, and a head-up display.

It also includes more tech features LED cabin lighting, wireless Apple Carplay/Android Auto, three USB ports, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a wireless phone charger, 12-way driver’s and 4-way passenger power seat adjustment, and a 16-speaker ELS sound system.

Integra A-Spec with Technology models fitted with the CVT also gets a remote start function.

How safe is the 2023 Acura Integra?

The 2023 Acura Integra is very safe. Every model is equipped with the brand’s AcuraWatch suite of driver-assist features. Those features include:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Collision Mitigation Braking
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane-Keeping Assist
• Road-departure Mitigation.

The CVT models are equipped with a low-speed follow feature that acts as cruise control during stop-and-go traffic situations. It’s not on the manual-transmission models because the gears must be manually shifted.

In addition to having a wealth of safety features, the 2023 Acura Integra was awarded the prestigious “Top Safety Pick +” award from the IIHS. It also received a 5-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, so you know it’s safe.

MotorBiscuit gives the 2023 Acura Integra a score of 8.7 out of 10

The editors at MotorBiscuit give the 2023 Acura Integra an overall rating of 8.7 out of 10. The all-new Acura Integra competes with rivals like the Volkswagen GTI, the Hyundai Veloster N, and the Toyota GR Corolla. Among those competitors, it lacks a little in the performance department but outshines a few when it comes to its interior layout and comfort.

We also like that the car is priced well in its segment and offers a lot of value for the money. While rivals like the GTI may provide a more powerful driving experience, the Acura Integra offers a great balance of refinement and driver engagement with added peace of renowned reliability.