Acura Integra - The Beloved - Test Drive | Everyday Driver

[@billm47645]

I bought one in the exact same spec as your car in late July. Here’s a big deciding factor. Acura dealers are more willing to sell these at MSRP. I bought mine at MSRP. Good luck at a Honda dealer trying to get an SI at MSRP. Combined with the overall better dealership experience, warranty, 3 years free app, 2 years free maintenance, loaner cars, and last but not least all the upgrades to the car, this makes this a decent buy because as of right now the “out the door” price is probably only $5 to $6K apart.

[@VQ25DETT]

+ one more year of basic warranty. I've seen a lot of videos comparing this to the Si but none of them mentioned these.

[@IsiahHD]

I have been car shopping and saw a dealer markup on a Civic SI I looked at. So it wouldn't surprise me if you could find one of these for only "slightly" more money than a Civic SI.

[@johnstout2435]

I dealer by me had a SI marked up to 43k before finally coming down to 37k.

[@billm47645]

@@johnstout2435 Integra all day long at MSRP. If you want the CVT, you can even get a small discount.

[@evanescent0311]

Same. Reasons i ordered an integra: No markup. No red interior on my build (wife hates it). Hatchback. Sound system. Sadly I kind of prefer the exterior styling Colma suspension simplicity and the linear air vent from the civic. There is no such thing as a perfect car lol

[@tylergarcia2693]

Gotta say this is somewhat of a missed “review”. Instead of actually reviewing the car for what it has they decided to just bash it when comparing it to the civic SI. Would’ve been nice to see them actually showcase the features like the premium audio system, driving and safety features, upgraded interior area/leather and discuss the extended warranty and maintenance plans. Also based on the market you can get them for MSRP or even a little under. And the whole integra stamp they complained about is a hallmark for the integra dating back to the 90s and has been there for sometime. Is it the best deal ever? Probably not but I don’t think they did a good job displaying the car for what it is

[@tsubakichan]

Yeah but uncomfortable passenger seat is a pretty big complaint...

[@Wnull3]

Yeah this is exactly what I was thinking. The stamp is a call back to the 90's and I'm surprised these guys missed that. Jason C did a better write up on his Instagram between the two. I wish they would've talked about the current mark up on the SI And if at that price point saying the Acura isn't worth the 2k more

[@fit2yougolf926]

Thanks for the review guys. As an Integra owner, I do get frustrated with the cherry picking comparisons. The lift back, sunroof, heated seats, added seat adjustment with memory, adjustable dampers, free maintenance, parking sensors, wireless charging and the upgraded sound system make this a more desirable choice for me. And worth the money. And I paid MSRP and prefer the styling (subjective, I know). I went from a 2019 Accord with a 6 spd manual to the Integra and could not be more pleased with the upgrade!

[@johnnygoesfast9397]

Do ypu wear Dockers pants and listen to smooth jazz??? that car is more bland than vanilla. Its a huge turd family sedan and should be outcasted from any car "enthusiast" videos... this car is for those who wipe the void between their legs after a tinkle sitting down

[@FrankOsman]

Looked for the Civic Si, found every one local listed at $35,000+. Picking up an Integra next weekend.

[@YasssStitch]

One thing that's overlooked is the CVT Integra has an open diff. Only the 6MT has LSD.

[@ericssonerick6972]

I bought one over the SI because this one has better styling but then again beauty is subjective...adaptive suspension, amazing sound system, heads up display and of course the hatch back.

[@squeakycleannnn]

Beauty maybe, not design. To designers, artists and all those with an eye for it, the styling is well balanced and quite unique. That is exactly what caught my attention personally. Most reviews criticising this car hardly ever mention how good it actually looks compared to other modern cars. Civic looks okay, somewhat fresh render of Civic, but it lacks personality and it's quite generic.

[@mistamaog]

I do think the tires are the reason why the Si felt much better. Also I agree with the fact that Acura should've offered SH-AWD, especially for the price that this costs.

[@ericpromisco2213]

The integra name is embossed on the front and rear as a throwback to the 3rd gen integra which also had the model name embossed on the front and rear bumpers. As for the car itself, it's a solid all round package but it needed more power and possibly AWD to really justify the price increase over the si. I have the feeling the type s will also share a similar problem with the FL5.

[@avo_fg2]

I was in the market for a 22 Si, but dealers were marking it up $5k near me. So I went with the 23 Integra at MSRP, and I absolutely love it. Great video nonetheless, you guys do make valid points if both cars were at MSRP!

[@Jorge_Magallon]

Great video, as always. Acura Honda is in a rough place because they are trying to sandwich the Si, Integra and TLX across a relatively close price range without cannibalizing one or another. At the same time they are competing with other manufacturers. The auto industry seems like a rough business.

[@krisschedler]

All your points are valid, but I still think there is $8K worth of goodies to argue for Integra over Si, but it is debatable.. you get excellent ELS sound system, Hatchback form, adjustable dampers that do make a difference, adjustable drive modes, driver lumbar and it is adjustable, 10.5 inch customizable instrument panel along with adjustable ambient lighting, sunroof,... and that fact that Honda dealers are pricing Civic Si at almost the Integra price, that fact alone makes the choice a slam dunk for some of us. And they are on the lot now

[@proleisuremotorsports]

Coming from an Audi A4, I just chose an 2024 Acura Integra A-Spec 6M over the Honda Civic Si because the markup even on the used 2022 Si's put the price ($34k!) very close to a new Integra. The cars felt very similar in driving experience, but interior and features set them apart and well worth an extra $3-4k for a new car with no miles. I paid -$1000 off MSRP. Opting for a 6M trans offers so much more engagement, no regrets at all.

[@deltahorizon26]

Same here with a 23’ Integra 6MT in Liquid Carbon/Red Interior. Overall, I love the car. It’s plenty fast, gets good gas mileage, the manual is as engaging as it gets, and the liftback is something I really wanted (I would have to pay over 50k to get a comparable liftback from Audi). The rear cargo space is immense; I was able to fit a full 65’ LG OLED TV inside, packaging and all. The Integra will definitely be my benchmark daily driver for years to come. The car is by no means a good value though. For 37k, I expected rear air vents, a DCT instead of a CVT, perforated leather seats, and both heated/cooled seats. It was disappointing to me as a buyer that this wasn’t standard equipment for a 37k car. I would’ve liked to see SH-AWD, the 2.0T from the Accord, or even front double wishbone suspension. I understand though the current Civic platform simply doesn’t allow the Integra to have those features. I’ll be keeping this car running for as long as I can. Either until it breaks down, I get into a horrible car accident, or gas prices get to expensive.

[@jimiverson3085]

The thing is, the engine in the Accord is an adaptation of the K20 design - which is the same block used in the Type r and new Integra S. It already fits in this Civic platform with a turbo. The Civic platform is also the base for the CR-V, so it shouldn't take much to adapt it for AWD.

[@mamakd32]

The old Integra also had “Integra” molded in the front bumper under the headlight

[@jamielannoo4250]

Yes the Si would’ve been a good car in the US but Honda stripped it to the bone feature wise. The Integra A-Spec Tech has over the Si in the US foglights power seats heads-up display adaptive dampers ELS sound system rain sensing wipers Parking sensors Full digital dash Auto dimming rear view mirror Wi-fi cellular modem Access via your smart phone Reverse tilt side mirrors Heated seats Dual zone climate control. Rear USB ports Interior door card ambient lighting Exterior door handles illuminate as you approach car. Drivers seat auto retracts when you turn the car off. Two driver customizable seat and infotainment settings. And I’m probably missing things that I’m forgetting. It’s a ton of stuff a lot a lot of stuff. Oh let’s not forget the horn sounds way better. They always give the Acuras the big boy horn.

[@anaveragehuman2937]

Yup, this right here. I didn't even know about the horn haha. I'd add the hatch(!), lumbar adjust(!), individual mode, and interior color options (I like orchid). Blows me away how easily a lot of the reviewers just don't even notice the hearty helping of nice little things. Easily worth it imo, especially when considering a Sport Touring hatch is $33k and at-or-below-msrp pricing.

[@boyan1277]

More people should read this Thanks a ton for this list. From a fellow A-Spec 6MT owner..

[@jamielannoo4250]

@@boyan1277 they fixed a couple of these issues for 2025. It now has the full digital dash and heated seats, but the rest all still applies.

[@mkei8973]

Hi, from Japan!! Wow, you two could take Integra for test drive even we cannot see it in Japan. Therefore, we haven’t heard any comments about the car yet. However, I think car journalists and car racers in Japan would announce same comments as yours. Because you two’s comments are always almost same as reliable Japanese car journalists and racers. You two are one of most reliable car reviewers in the world. Yes, I think people who put importance on driving and love to drive would pick Civic. People who want little bit of luxurious looking on a car would pick Integra.

[@TestDriveVideos]

We appreciate your compliments and are glad to have you watching. Thank you!

[@mkei8973]

I’m really glad to have a reply from you. My dream is that I support you two one day try to do something for fun in Japan!!

[@cbhays86]

While I agree with many of the criticisms, there are quite a number of upgrades vs. the civic SI that justify the price difference (even ignoring the difficulty of finding an SI at MSRP!) Ride quality / dampers / ind mode Sound system Hatchback Int. quality + int. color choices Synth leather over cloth seats Heated front seats, rear seat USB HUD, rain sensing wipers Seat memory and power adjust Ext. styling and brand perception I think there is 8k of value in the above. A lot of small things, but they add up to a fantastic car

[@Indifference2000]

I think if Acura offered AWD on the integra it would be Awesome!! That would differentiate it enough from the Si especially for the price difference

[@Frank_T1000]

Edmunds tested the Si and Integra A-Spec head-to-head in a u-drag race. The better driver won the race in both the Si and Integra which suggests the differences between them are very minimal. I really think the perceived differences in how you guys think they drive is exactly that - just perception. The Integra really is just a slightly nicer, bigger and heavier Si. I don't think that makes it a worse car than the Si. Not everyone just wants the best performance possible. Those extra features (the hatch, adaptive suspension, heads up display, full digital gauge cluster, heated seats, memory seats, ELS audio system, styling etc) are things people care about. Different strokes for different folks. Also, the Civic Si won't be coming with the summer tire option from the factory after this year.

[@eloneatmyshorts]

Agreed. And it’s interesting that Camissa enjoyed the Integra over the Si opposite of Todd and Paul’s take.

[@jeffreyspencer4005]

Just got around to watching this after a busy holiday season. Great takes here--as usual. For me, I have to haul around large items so the hatchback would sell me on the Integra. Not to mention warranty, service plan, dealer network, and the many other niceties here. And yes, you can get one in my town for sticker or slightly under and Si's are selling for $4-5K over list.

[@JPZ89]

Been thinking that another factor that contributes to the difference in driving feel between the Si and 6MT Integra is the fact that the Si's body structure is inherently more rigid due to the shape of the sedan chassis (natural bracing in the form of the body structure directly behind the rear seats, between the C pillars) vs the Integra's lift back chassis which obviously has a gap in that same space. Recall how many tuners of prior gens of Integra lift backs/RSXs would install additional bracing in that exact area. I'm thinking the new Integra's engineers had to resort to other methods to increase chassis rigidity while maintaining the target cargo capacity which likely led to this new Integra feeling a bit heavier overall compared to the Si.

[@jeromeotis835]

Only problem is that Si’s sell at 5k markup. That is real life detail you have to take into account. The stereo upgrade alone is priceless

[@anthonys6657]

The Acura dealer experience and the fact that they don’t play games with you during the sale is worth something. Good luck finding a Honda dealer who’s not gonna jerk you around on the sale of a Civic SI.

[@Cinnamon535]

Facts I went in there they said "you want this car"? I said yes "can you take it home today"? I said yes , no games straight to business also dealer was very luxurious compared to honda

[@gene7icspar7an20]

Guys relax not every car that’s almost 40k and fwd needs awd. I don’t see how awd would make the car any better. Integra has never been awd. Perhaps it could use the SH ATTS system from the prelude or 4wheel steering.

[@gabriellebains]

Your so right

[@gene7icspar7an20]

Finally someone who understands

[@gabriellebains]

@@gene7icspar7an20 a dying breed my friend, we’re a dying breed

[@GeneA.69]

Love my Integra, ROCKS!

[@IrixGuy]

Me too!

[@thirdpedalnirvana]

As an engineer I understand why it didn't get AWD. Adding AWD to a FWD chassis that was never designed with AWD in mind is no small task. That said... these are going to start seeing rebates and discounts because $8k just for looks and a badge isn't really going to be worth it for very many people.

[@jimiverson3085]

Except that the Civic chassis is underneath the CR-V, so it has been adapted for AWD.

[@kentako8179]

Wish we had some real Teg fans reviewing this car who knows Integra's history as this is a tribute to the 3rd gen integ that has the name molded to the front left and rear right bumper.

[@ericpromisco2213]

Yeah, I was surprised they didn't know that. Every other auto journalist who's reviewed this car knew that. Would have thought they would have done a little more research first. They even did a mini review of a 3rd gen GSR a few years back so they've seen this feature before lol.

[@NeoDiNardo]

I own a 2023 Acura Integra A-Spec Tech 6MT in Liquid Carbon Metalic and Red Interior, just like the one your channel reviewed. The tires are super important, I don’t feel you can decide anything until you get a set of proper tires. Also, you are correct about the head room in the back, but I would much rather have the hatch utility than the backseat head room. Perhaps the CTR is the best of both worlds on that one issue. Then there is the ELS 3D Stereo. Simply put, it’s the best factory stereo I’ve ever heard by far, I have not heard the Bose in the Si, but I was never a fan of the Bose midrange focused house sound, the Acura has articulate bass and crystal clear treble, just the way I like it. Also, Si was a markup of $3K everywhere I could look for me, so it was not an $8K difference, it was a $5K difference. For that I get better pleather vs workman like cloth, pleather in the back seat too, I get better quality and more interesting paint jobs on the car to choose from, Black, Red, or Cream White interiors, little lights and parking sensors everywhere, while the seat comfort could be more comfy and hold me in place better when driving spirited, it’s not a TLX Type S level of comfort as expected sadly, it is at least heated front seats, both power adjustable on both seats with power lumbar on the drivers seat, I get a full digital gauge display, what I think is the better looking car overall, I did not like the tail lights at all on the Si, so for me it’s some good some bad. I might want a 2023 CTR or 2024 Integra Type S next, I don’t know, but handling wise it has to be the tires. I don’t think the differences on the handling is as big as you guys think between the Si and the Integra. It’s the tires but also the suspension tunning, both can be fixed for a cost of course. But you can’t add the amazing Acura ELS 3D stereo (you could go custom third party on stereo but it will not be in the loan) or the little luxury Acura touches quite as easy, and the Integra has a third back seat and sunroof. I dunno, these things were worth $5K for me, which again is the difference between the Si marked up and the top Integra at MSRP. And my local Acura dealer is doing MSRP on all cars including the upcoming Integra Type S and my local Honda dealer is doing at least $3K or $5K on Si’s and doing $10K+ markups on the 2023 CTR. Yea. I’ll buy better tires then for my Integra or or go with an Integra Type S upgrade. The TLX Type S and MDX Type S are both interesting, but flawed a bit admittedly. I can wait to see where Acura takes the Type S idea in the near future. Otherwise, I guess I’d rather wait for an EV sports crossover that blows me away on handling, speed, and utility. I’m in line for an MSRP GR Corolla as well. I would buy the 2023 CTR today but not for $10K, I can wait a couple of years in my nice Integra for that, and again buy some rims, tires, that carbon fiber spoiler, an upgraded clutch, and a Hondata or Ktuner and wait it out. It’s as good handing as it needs to be when tacking on ramps fast, honestly the seat comfort is the bigger / biggest letdown for me. OK for a Honda, but not TLX Type S quality or MDX Type S quality level of comfort either. And not bolstered quite enough, but, I’d rather have that than too bolstered like the 2019 CTR. Those damn metal bars in the side bolsters…

[@czluver4338]

When I was shopping (U.S.), the SI was marked up $10k. An Accord Sport 1.5T was marked up $9k. I got the 6MT Integra in white at MSRP which made it only $400 more than the Accord with significantly more features and cheaper than the SI which wasn't even in the same class. Say what you will, but it's the better deal over an SI.

[@calvinspires1220]

I'm almost completely sure the old Integra said the name on the front bumper as well. Pretty sure that's a throwback to the car's heritage.

[@TestDriveVideos]

Yes, you’re right. And it was odd there too. Thanks for watching!

[@calvinspires1220]

@TestDrive Always a pleasure!

[@personwiththeface4416]

Honestly I don't care that it doesn't have AWD. For me the emissions are; no cooled seats, no rear seat air-con, no auto option (not getting a cvt). It's perfectly fine if it's the same car. Look at the Nissan 350/370z and Infiniti G35/37. Both are awesome, but they make their differences noticed. The adaptive dampers don't change enough to make it worthwhile. The ELS audio system is great, but lacks the noise dampening for it to be luxury (dual paned glass/noise isolators, etc). Lastly for the price it's not a German competitor; it's vs Mazda 3, Genesis G70 competition. For those three the Integra has an uphill battle.

[@ciello___8307]

Also the els sound system is a lot better than anything you can get in the civic

[@shamish-2960]

The 1st Gen Chevy Monte Carlo was just a Chevelle with a longer hood, Eldorado inspired styling and simulated wood on the dash. People still bought them in droves. Then there was the Pontiac Grand Prix, which was an even more upscale Monte Carlo, and people bought them up as well. I grew up in the age of Oldsmobuicks. I see nothing wrong with the Acura Integra being similar to the Civic Si. Some people like stadium rock and others like yacht rock. At age 50, I’m just fine listening to the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan in the new Integra I bought for my wife.

[@mabolzichjjl]

I'd be willing to bet that the integra got some of the 10th gen SI suspension bushings to keep it a little softer whereas the 11th gen SI got some type R bushings for that extra pep

[@MrDaveaccord]

I like this car. I found a local dealer that will sell me a Base trim in performance red pearl with the CVT for MSRP.

[@kasio22B]

From my observations of my local area, they don't sell that well...

[@sylvaincastano]

The name of the car in front? Basically every Peugeots from the 1930's up to the early 80's. It stopped with the 505 you had in the states. The justification of it was the zero was the orifice of the crank start handle. It's particularly true on the Peugeot 202 for example. Have a look at the 601 Eclipse and will be surprised! Cheers from France!

[@mr08tsx]

You guys are awesome!!! Always have enjoyed your reviews.

[@my4cars528]

Didn't the old Integra have badging molded in the bumper?

[@joelpeterson2074]

Yep. If they gave us the Canada spec Si I would have it in my driveway right now. I live in MN and it matters to have those heated elements. I would get the HPT version and since it's so cheap, get a really nice set of winter wheels and tires and just enjoy the heck out of it every day. It's such a miss what they did with the US Si and Integra.

[@baldygrey2779]

I'm in Canada and I only found out recently that Honda does this. Not sure why since not all of the missing features are "winter-specific" so I didn't think that was the reason. It would definitely sell more...

[@jamesdarrigo8277]

I'm torn between the CVT and Manual. I have only driven manual once and live in a somewhat hilly place (north florida), is this worth getting a CVT as someone who doesn't know manual? I would love to be fluent in driving manual but I'm afraid of stalling all over the place. Great video!

[@clubracer6]

I like the looks of the Si better, but do love the extras you get with this one. Plus the price is about the same in the current market. That said I test drove one of these and could not deal with the lack of power.

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

Yes there is another car that had it's name on the front and back bumpers....it's called the Integra for like 20 years!!!

[@Mesmu906]

I ordered this exact car, and then canceled it for the same reasons. It may be a bargain compared to an Audi, but not to a Mazda 3 or a Civic SI or even a Touring. One other thing - it takes PREMIUM GAS (yeah, recommended) which means you pay $10+ more every time you fill it (forever) for a car that’s only a half second faster to 60 then a Honda CRV and is only as quick as the Mazda, both on regular. The Hyundai Elantra N or a Mazda 3 Turbo provide a lot more performance for less. The Integra is not enough car to buy for the money, and it is also too expensive to own for what you get. Acura fans hope the Type S will fix the value equation - wanna bet?

[@A_guan]

I was close to buying one but I just couldn't see the value in the 37k. However like you guys said...if there was sh awd with the manual there would have been no question...I would have bought it dispute it only having 200 hp. I bought a mazda cx50 and will hold off for when I can get a rwd sports car instead of another fwd car.

[@Cajun1978]

Great video as always. I'd love to see a comparison putting this (or the Civc Si) up against the Kia Forte GT. For Civic Si money you can get the Forte GT with leather, a premium stereo, etc. Same power, similar size, sporty suspension, etc. All the goodies you pay $8k-$10K more for in the Integra. An Integra level car for a Civic Si price, and the Kia has rear seat air vents which for some reason Acura thought they should keep out of the Integra. Not that I would buy an auto BUT the Kia offers a 7 speed DCT instead of the Acura's CVT, so people who want an auto have another reason to buy the Kia. Would love to see you guys test them!

[@chrisgross8625]

I was trying to get on the list of getting one of these. I really liked it. Could never get an actual day. Ended up buying an older Si as a fun 3rd vehicle for the time being. All of your points are accurate and fair. I think it all comes down to what matters to you. The new Civic platform is huge. It's only only a couple inches narrower than my wife's 2016 Accord. This hits me more as a TSX Sportwagon with a manual. Yes that was more of a wagon, and slower. Here you have a lovely ride and sporty handling for your commute, the utility of the hatch, a bumping stereo, and premium brand styling and features. Could they have put more features in? Yes. But it also is cheaper than the other luxury marks. SH-AWD would have been awesome, it would be very hard to argue the amount of money needed to modify the chassis to do this. Additionally Honda hasn't ever offered the SH-AWD system with a manual. That said, I think they did miss the mark on not offering the ZF or a dual clutch as the auto opinion. Would be more enjoyable than the CVT. The hatch is one of the biggest reasons for me to buy this over the Civic Si. I get Honda wanted to differentiate them that way for the market. It makes less sense to me when it's CTR vs Type S though. Considering the CTR is $44k and the Type S will be more. Nearly Or above $50k is going to be a hard pill to swallow for that.

[@IdrisFashan]

If they slapped SHAWD on this thing, I wouldn’t wait a second. That would be an insane bargain.

[@williamconrad1087]

I test drove an SI but went with an Integra because I felt all the little differences added up to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Yes it has the manual gearbox.

[@justaddafan]

I had a '92 GS-R for many, many years and LOVED that cars dynamics and that wonderful engine. Integras historically had more powerful/larger engines than Civics. With the turbo, it would have been easy to offer more power without actually changing hardware. Missed opportunity. AWD would have been an interesting option. Looks are subjective, but I feel like this car is homely.

[@lawinsmalltimore]

Didn’t the original integra have the name stamped in the bumper skin toward the end?

[@TestDriveVideos]

Yes it did. Bravo.

[@billshoe22191]

The Civic SI is the better car (better seats, weighs less, looks better and has better summer tires stock to name a few)in my opinion and for less money. If you want to spend $40k on a luxury car, get a luxury car such as the G70 that’s proper rwd, etc. I will never understand people who buy Acura. It’s a worse version of a Honda offering for more money. Just shows you the importance of a marketing department I guess as people believe the marketers

[@scottanderson9442]

The A-Spec Integra loses to the Civic Si, but the one place the Integra wins in a comparison is between the Base Integra ($32K) vs Civic Touring ($31K). For $1K you get nicer interior and much better looking car.

[@BobSmith-yh5im]

Funny seeing more headroom in the Integra vs the TLX.

[@Sweetswede15]

100% agree, I had a 2001 integra and 2005 Acura rsx type s. The seats in this vehicle are horrible and it really needed shawd to stand out.

[@ChoPi-Eww]

There was probably a lot of work involved to make this Integra meet Acura's corporate image. The 1990's Integra was intentionally more sporty, but the brand itself has changed, as has the luxury content available in most cars today. The Type R, if it comes, would be a tough business case to argue. "Without racing, there is no Honda" How long does Acura have to live?

[@banimanFJ]

Keep in mind that dyno charts are consistently showing HP and TQ at the wheels to be close to the advertised 200hp/192tq, at the crank that is around a 240bhp/240tq car.

[@JuanLopez-kw9of]

Can you imagine ,a NA high revving 2.0L AWD double wishbone Integra Type R ? How compelling would that be? We can only hope. Oh! and to Paul's point, the steering ratio was probably due to Acura's market research dept telling them the intended buyer was not the enthusiast who bought the original Integra.

[@adventsociety5382]

They announced the integra type S

[@organizedgopher]

From an owner of a Civic Si and a 6-Speed Integra A-Spec w/Technology… 55+ Integra upgrades and differences from US Civic (2024) I traded my Civic Si (2020) for a 2024 6-speed Integra. Below are the differences between the 2024 Integra 6-speed and the 2024 Civic Si that helped sway my decision. As you can see below, there are way more differences (57 at last count) than are spoken of in any KZbin videos. Hope this helps those of you trying figure out the differences. BTW, as a former Si driver, I have ZERO regrets. The Integra retains the fun-factor of my Si, but also gives me all the premium upgrades I was missing-such a great real-world daily driver. My Si was a great car, but I’m enjoying the Integra more. Features not available on ANY ‘24 Civic: 1. Every body panel unique to Integra 2. 5.3” color windshield Heads Up Display 3. 16 Speaker ELS Studio 3D system with ceiling speakers 4. Microsuede front seats 5. Remote with brushed metallic trim 6. 12-way power driver seat with lumbar 7. Auto walk-up/welcome lighting feature 8. Lighted exterior door handles (all 4) 9. Lighted interior door handles (front) 10. Ambient LED footwell lights 11. Ambient LED door accent 12. 4 drive modes (including individual) 13. Aluminum bezel around shift boot 14. Adaptive suspension (3 settings) 15. 2-driver memory (seat & mirrors) 16. Auto slide driver seat upon exit 17. Beefier horn (Yes!!! Thank you) beep-beep vs meep-meep 18. Premium “tick tock” turn signal click 19. Unique “Jewel Eye” LED headlights 20. Longer warranties (both years & miles) 21. More rigid chassis 22. Standard A-Spec door sill badges 23. A-Spec badge on steering wheel 24. Frameless rear view mirror (auto-dim) 25. Leather ctr console trim (knee guard) 26. Unique shift knob (flat top vs rounded) 27. Diamond pattern vents (vs honeycomb) 28. Gloss (vs flat black) B and C pillar 29. Wider, longer body 30. Heated side mirrors w/ signals & reverse tilt feature 31. Full LED ext lighting (incl rear turn sig) 32. Full LED int lighting (incl hatch area) 33. WiFi hotspot 34. Functional bumper vents/air curtains 35. More sound dampening material 36. Acura cam cover 37. Form-fitted battery blanket 38. Advanced front side airbags 39. Advanced front knee airbags 40. Rear seat LED-lighted window switches Features not available on the ‘24 Civic Si: 1. Parking sensors front & rear 2. Rain-sensing wipers 3. Power driver seat 4. Power passenger seat 5. Dual zone auto climate control 6. Liftback design w/ more cargo space 7. Full 10.2” digital instrument cluster 8. Leather door trim 9. Leather arm rests w/contrast stitching 10. Rear USB outlets 11. Fog lights 12. Blinker in side mirrors 13. Heated seats 14. Qi Wireless phone charging mat 15. Alexa built-in 16. Sunglasses holder 17. Different tuning (according to Acura) UPDATE: Things I’ve learned after putting 3,000+ miles on the Integra: - The Integra is missing the occasional dash rattles that my Civic Si had. It may have better fitment, adhesives, or quality control. At any rate, I’m very impressed, because that was a concern of mine during the buying process. - In sport mode and on the same roads, my Integra feels as peppy as my Si, but like the Si, the Integra isn’t built for all out performance. - For the first 3,000 miles I have averaged over 35 mpg on premium. I have mixed city and highway on my commute. I occasionally open it up for a pull, but drive conservatively most of the time. On the interstate I’ve averaged over 40 mpg. Thrash it a lot and you’ll likely STILL get high 20’s. - I knew the ELS Studio 3D system was highly rated. But even so, I am floored every single day when I hear nuances in my favorite playlists and songs that I never noticed before because the previous systems just couldn’t do it. I had upgraded my Si with JL Audio mid-range and both Infinity and Kicker subs-the Si sounded way better than stock. However, this ELS system is not only in a different ballpark, it’s on a different planet. I read from a car reviewer that outside of Acura you can’t get this level of sound unless you fork out $60,000 or more. That, I can’t confirm. However, I can easily say it’s the best I’ve ever heard-and I’ve been in many cars. The Bose I had in my GMC Yukon pales in comparison. - So far, the only thing I miss from my Si since buying the Integra is the center console. The Integra’s armrest storage bin is a bit smaller. 5k miles now and still VERY happy. The Integra hit the sweet spot for me for affordable luxury and fun.

[@Thefrankmaister1911]

Great video. I still think the Integra is an excuse to delete the ILX. Yes times have changed, yes the market has changed. But everything you said in this video made total sense. Acura could have done better.

[@chillryan]

You're definitely not wrong @TestDrive. Review was spot on, the only rebuttal I have is that you forget, Integra offers a CVT. So, you get the Si with an automatic, which is important because the general public buys more automatics than it does manuals. I for one would have loved to see SH-AWD underpinning this chassis, but Civic is the volume seller and I don't think the AHM accountants would sign-off on that additional cost. Doing so would've pushed the Integra cost even higher I think.

[@jimiverson3085]

People should only buy the CVT version if they are already dead inside.

[@jaysontanjuatco0811]

Acura said 70% of the preorders were manuals.

[@jimbochoo3316]

This Integra feels like some kind of imposter for those of us who knew the 90s Integra. Doesn't have the same soul.

[@PhyFK8]

Great review. This car deserves every criticism it gets. Absurdly overpriced for what it is. No standout redeeming qualities that justify its price above the SI is a statement from Paul that I couldn't agree more with. Hell, you can get a used FK8 with over 100 HP and torque more than this integra, significantly better handling performance, and all the usability for even LESS than the integra's MSRP. I did. They have one last chance to redeem themselves with the Type S. It needs to have AWD to distinguish it from the Type R. Acura HAS the SH AWD system across their other vehicles. They have the means and technology, but will they apply it? Or are they too fixated on the idea of the Integra's heritage being FWD? Many enthusiast feel they've already lost the Integra's heritage and ideology in this model, so instead of trying to cling onto that fallacy, they need to redefine and give it new life. Something to give it a new edge, that being the AWD.

[@ranthony2714]

I do not see Acura using their shawd. I own a 2020 ilx. Very much enjoy my dct and k24 engine. The Integra looks and interior are fine, but using the 1.5 and a cvt is not great. The lsd should have been on more trims.

[@Mark-de4hj]

You guys are great as usual. Still don't like that 'chicken wire' look across the dash but on a practical note, love that it has that huge hatch! Noticed you did not mention gas mileage or having a spare tire? I like Honda but one thing to consider here is that even though that lower priced option may be a better choice for some, having that Acura name plate may be important for others. Afterall, you are still getting the Honda quality etc.

[@jaminsmith77]

I’m a fan of Paul and Todd but they seemed like they were not in a very good mood during this review. 😂 I’ve considered both and would choose Integra over Si for the hatch and other interior upgrades not mentioned here. The Integra has never been much more than a dressed up civic so I’m not sure why people are expecting so much more.

[@benjaminyost5876]

I’ve been looking for a Civic Si, and there are no new ones available. There is only a used one with low miles for $33k, and you can get this at MSRP. That makes the Integra an absolute steal

[@deucedvx]

The dc2 integra type r has the “integra” on the front left and rear bumper rear right in the same spot as the new integra…..it’s a good throw back reference

[@VQ25DETT]

Some people make jokes about this being a "rebadged" Civic. They say it's not the real Integra because it's not a coupe. But that's where all the haters stop. They can't look past the movies and games. The real problem isn't about what the car is based on. Because, as these guys pointed out, Integra has always been a nicer Civic. Honda and Acura failed to differentiate the two compact cars. They should have completely redesigned the dash. They should have developed SH-AWD for this car. 9th gen Accord and the 1st gen TLX were VERY closely related yet the TLX still got the AWD option. Less powerful 2.0T or even Hybrid would have been nice too.

[@fez3327]

You almost have me waiting for the AWD future Integra. BUT! If they dropped one, it would be $42k and 18 months out before dealer-markup stopped.

[@TheEmpoleon123456789]

I think the sound system and cabin isolation help to justify the price. I think it would have been more trouble than Honda thought it was worth to do AWD when the Si already has a front LSD. I also think offering AWD would have cannibalized Type R sales at the $44k price point.

[@nycmaster]

The Integra used to be the premium sportier Civic, now is like the old man or Cadillac of Civic. The return of the Integra is just mainly for Nostalgia and sales, since Acura already been making a rebadged Civic for years, the ILX, which did not sell well.

[@thirdpedalnirvana]

I test drove a Civic Si when they first went to the non-vtec motor and I thought to myself "wow, except for the shifter, everything about this car is worse than my base model manual golf with 30 fewer horsepower on paper, who would buy this?" Then I started having to fix broken things on the VW... and OK if you aren't the sort of person to keep buying cars and you expect your new car to last you a decade, yeah the Si starts to make sense.

[@drkrashtest]

This was the car I drove during our Utah meetup this year, and I completely agree with your assessment. I loved driving it, but I was expecting more than just a fancy Civic Si. However, I'm too old for the boy racer looks of a Civic Si or Type R. I have high hopes but low expectations for the Type S version. Time will tell I suppose.

[@chillryan]

Agreed. I think the Type S won't be as sharp and edgy as the Type R. The car enthusiast in me is disappointed in that fact but the husband/father in me is okay with it. My wife already complains about the bumps in the road. Her bouncing would've taken it to whole 'nother level lol.

[@Indifference2000]

Si is boy racer??

[@SIIKAP1]

not sure why anyone would expect the Integra to be anything more than an Si. The old days Integra was a better civic EX, so the fact this new one is on par with Si is a treat. The last generation RSX Type S was a 2006 Si equivalent. So the fact that the upcoming Integra Type S will be like a Civic Type R is a very welcomed treat. If anything, we are more spoiled this time around with the Integra compared to its civic counterpart

[@ericpromisco2213]

How exactly is the 11th Gen si boy racer? It looks nearly identical to a base model lol

[@drkrashtest]

@@ericpromisco2213 it’s not so much the looks, it’s more about the reputation. The looks have been toned down a lot so I can see your point with regards to that

[@sanilj]

Y’all forgot to mention the 12 speaker ELS sound system. That’s a major upgrade over Civic Si, in addition to other features.

[@corybureau4124]

the ELS studio 3D alone makes me want the integra over the civic

[@thirdpedalnirvana]

There's something I don't understand about "luxury" brands & buyers. Already when you are a luxury brand, you have the harder sell. After all, you can usually get a car that is virtually the same mechanically for less money by going to a different brand. It's the cheaper brands game to win, the luxury brand has to attract buyers away. Some will go for clout, those are by default. One way that you can attract buyers is the comfort features, better trim, comfort items, better noise insulation, etc. This attracts typically older buyers whose money is perfectly good but they aren't likely to be repeat customers, they are probably buying this car and going to hold onto it for a while, and they may or may not live to see their next car purchase. Thats why luxury brands do whatever they can do to appeal to younger buyers, and the most successful luxury brand lineups in history look like a spectrum, with comfort, quiet, prestige on one end and excitement, technology, and performance on the other. Both ends of the spectrum have to one-up the non-lux offering. Increasingly though, we are seeing the younger buyer attracting performance end of the spectrum become less and less attractive, with nary a difference between the luxury brand and the base brand. Now maybe this is because younger generations are seeing badge clout for the farce it is, or maybe its because younger people are struggling economically. But even if both of these are the case, it seems super short sighted to not try to attract younger buyers who are more likely to become repeat customers in the future.

[@marks92127]

As of September 2024 in Southern California, Acura Integras are selling at or below MSRP (including A spec-tech 6MT), Civic SI's are unavailable unless you are willing to wait and commit to a $5k+ markup. In many cases, the Integras are CHEAPER than the SI's due to markups, shady dealers, and distorted demand. Economics in action.

[@felipecolon1412]

How would you compare the Civic Touring to the Integra? Would you say one handles better than the other?

[@warthunderpro6791]

I just returned from France and one of the new Peugeot models has the model name printed on the hood right where Mercedes puts their badge with the crest around it on their modern cars. and yes even on that model it looked funny

[@benh4984]

Almost bought this cause the Si was marked up $5k but my portfolio imploded

[@mihan5660]

Last gen prelude has name on front too, must be a honda thing. Anyway, i wonder how much of the market is people who want a civic si but doesnt drive stick. With far less manuals around, presuably even less people have one available to learn on

[@kylenewberry2598]

I've heard from multiple ppl that the si is too harsh for daily drives on nornal roads

[@IrixGuy]

I have the 2024 A-Spec and it’s super comfortable for daily driving.

[@corysekine-pettite1783]

Curious (and hopeful) to see what they do with the Integra Type R...

[@scotts2296]

Type-S you mean... Most likely it will be the same as the Civic Type-R with more luxury, same at this car and the Si.

[@ericpromisco2213]

There won't be a type R. Honda is reserving that trim while Acura has Type S. From the press release sounds like it'll be a fancier FL5.

[@Nestle245]

Crazy that this has more backseat legroom than the bigger TLX.

[@cayman9873]

Great review paul and todd.. very well done

[@christopherdaniel6142]

my point echoed , an auto with the performance would also be a selling point . you cant want to save the stick but the brand is getting left in the dust cause they not doing anything to give the cars an edge , meanwhile everyone else is throwing the kitchen sink and looking like better choices

[@In-obscurity-n7j]

I would love to know how a civic sport touring with the 6 speed mt would compare to this.

[@kj.rising]

Got an integra for msrp, civics are all over msrp. Acura much better dealer experience. Hatch and sound system very cool 😎

[@johnabitabile5035]

I really wish they would have made this into a coupe. Would have been perfect since they discontinued the si coupe.

[@jimbochoo3316]

They could've made a nice Integra coupe with the last gen.

[@Cinnamon535]

Who needs a truck I can fit a refrigerator back there 😂

[@seal4ever778]

Am I just not finding it? How have you guys not reviewed the Kia stinger in any trim?

[@TestDriveVideos]

We have a Stinger GT compared with a 4 series BMW on our other channel /EverydayDriver. Thanks for your interest!

[@gladdy02]

How about the heated seat!?

[@drewdriver1970]

Question….would you buy a Civic over a 4 cylinder Mustang. I want horsepower. Should I be considering other factors instead?

[@ericpromisco2213]

I would definitely get an si over the 4 popper mustang. The si is a much more practical daily, better in inclement weather and likely more reliable. Plus having a 4 cylinder "muscle car" is just wrong lol. Imo v8 is the only way to go with a mustang.

[@mattdirks7896]

I can't help but wonder if the regular Integra got the 2.0T it would be more compelling.

[@ericpromisco2213]

The type s will have the k20 C1 out of the FL5

[@ranthony2714]

In Canada the si is 40,000, while the integra with the manual is close to 50,000.

[@iana36s]

Acura missed out with the Integra. Gotta wonder why they even bothered. Hopefully they can take the next compact SUV more seriously and actually make it substantially better like what we see between the RDX and CRV.

[@tylerdumez6723]

Is the Integra quieter than the civic as far as road noise?

[@aaronelmquist8607]

All wheel drive on a fancy civic. Sounds nice but really the engineering hurdles are probably way too high to overcome economically. I mean where is the drive shaft going to go and how much rear seating / cargo space will be lost. All I want for Christmas is a hatch version of the Civic SI. @honda I get that you think a hatch Si might cannibalize integra and type R sales. Personally I doubt this because type Rs are basically unobtainium with dealer mark-ups (which I won't pay - you're talking real sports car money at that point which the type R is not). And I won't pay 8k over the Si to get a manual Integra. You could just put the manual in the base integra and I would probably go find the 2k price difference to make that happen. End rant 😁

[@jimiverson3085]

Honda blew it with this car. We'll see if the S makes up for how underwhelming this car is. In 1994, I shopped the Integra LS ( no the GS with sports goodies) against the top Civic. The Acura was just a livelier, more interesting car to drive. Better steering, better mechanical noises, more power and better handling. 1.8 liter twin can 4 vs 1.7 liter SOHC in the Civic. 4-wheel discs vs. rear drums. $1200 more. That's the one I bought. Honda has lost the plot when it comes to an identity for Acura.

[@ccolivardia]

On paper the price difference is much larger than they are in reality. Either lightly used or new, the integra will most likely only be a a little more than the civic because of dealer mark up’s and residuals in the U.S. at least.

[@subvet3668]

It would have been much better if they didn't make the integra and just made the Si better equipped like before and added a hatchback version of the Si since they dropped the coupe. The only reason they stripped so much out of the Si was the existence of the integra. If it's still profitable in Canada fully equipped as it is then why wouldn't it be in the US with the same equipment levels.