Can the return of an iconic nameplate usher in a brand new Motor Authority Finest Automotive To Purchase winner? It could, within the type of the $31,895 Acura Integra.

The Integra has a historical past for cheap thrills that dates again to the mid-Eighties. It peaked with the 1992 GS-R mannequin, which made the minimize for our 100 Vehicles That Matter collection. However Acura ditched the identify when it moved to the RSX , and left an enormous chunk of its historical past behind.

With the brand new Integra, Acura has axed the drained ILX from its lineup although it’s retained the entry-level components of enhancing upon the bones of the Honda Civic.

The Integra begins with a stable platform based mostly on the 2022 Honda Civic Si, and fixes most of our gripes with the Honda within the improve course of. The bundle provides as much as an Integra that recaptures the glory of days previous, based on Senior Editor Kirk Bell.

Each Integra is powered by a 1.5-liter turbo-4 rated at 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. Whereas base and A-Spec fashions ship energy to the entrance wheels by way of a CVT with seven simulated gear ratios, fanatics will need the highest A-Spec with Know-how Package deal mannequin for $36,895 as a result of it unlocks the 6-speed guide transmission choice. That guide is a winner, with quick, clear, exact throws and stable engagement. Bell known as the transmission “far too enjoyable” to move up.

Small enhancements to the Integra over its Honda sibling add as much as make an enormous distinction: the Integra’s chassis is 5% stiffer, and it has bigger 27-mm hole entrance and 17.5-mm stable rear stabilizer bars (18 mm on the A-Spec mannequin).

The one largest improve over the Civic Si, and the one which cures the sporty Civic’s largest flaw, is the set of adaptive dampers Acura installs with the Know-how Package deal. They settle the suspension on the freeway. Whereas the experience continues to be smooth, physique motions are managed.

With an ultra-quick 11.52:1 ratio (base fashions are even faster at 11.33:1), the Integra’s steering delivers deft responses. It doesn’t really feel too fast and the Integra isn’t darty on the freeway.

Inside, there’s seating for 5, however actually solely 4 will match comfortably. The game entrance bucket seats are well-bolstered and supportive, however the rear seat backside is low and the quick roofline cuts into rear headroom. The usual 7.0-inch touchscreen feels a bit small, however the A-Spec with Know-how Package deal mannequin features a 9.0-inch touchscreen that options the Civic’s easy-to-use tile-based interface and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The hatchback physique model supplies 24.3 cubic ft of house, and the rear seats fold practically flat to increase the cargo space.

The Acura Integra isn’t good. The guide transmission needs to be an choice throughout the board. At 200 hp, it additionally desires for energy on backroads. One other 50 to 75 hp would do the trick. It’s additionally about as highly effective because the RSX Kind S from 21 years in the past, which says one thing a couple of lack of progress. A forthcoming 2024 Integra Kind S ought to deal with that neatly. 

Will the Integra’s charming guide transmission, well-sorted suspension, and fast steering be sufficient for it to win over two sizzling hatches, an outrageous SUV, a luxurious EV, and a sport sedan? Examine again on Jan. 4 once we reveal the winner, together with the champs from our sister websites, The Automotive Connection and Inexperienced Automotive Reviews.