Overview & Reviews

In 1986, Honda launched the Acura brand to create a separate luxury brand to appeal to upmarket buyers. Its first model, the Acura Integra, was a sporty hatchback that emphasized Acura's focus on engineering excellence and build quality. The Integra's balance of reliability and performance made it an instant hit, especially for those buyers looking for a cheaper alternative to German imports.

Through the years, the Integra developed a large following of consumers. Some were interested in a basic commuter car while others were looking for a solid base for modification with performance parts. The Integra was able to satisfy all. Using its knowledge gained from Formula 1 racing to innovate new technologies for its passenger cars, Acura introduced its VTEC variable valve timing system to the Integra in the early '90s. The Integra was the first car after the exotic NSX to receive it, and the system helped the car squeeze every drop of power out of its small 4-cylinder engine while maintaining an admirable amount of fuel efficiency.

More importantly, the Integra showed that Acura (and the Japanese manufacturers as a whole, for that matter) was able to compete with the global luxury car manufacturers in terms of design, quality and creature comforts inside the cabin. As Acura solidified its place in the near-luxury market, however, the company altered its marketing strategies. It did away with model names, opting for alphanumeric designations instead. In 2001, Acura renamed its entry model the RSX, effectively killing the Integra in America.

Most Recent Acura Integra

The third and final generation of the Acura Integra spanned from 1994 through 2001. It was one of the best front-wheel-drive cars in its class as it was exciting to drive and had a sporty silhouette that seemed designed to cut through the wind.

Acura offered two body styles, a two-door hatchback and a four-door sedan, across all trim levels, including the GS-R performance trim. At first, Acura offered two lower trims, the base RS and LS. Through the years, Acura updated the lineup by adding a GS trim in 1998 and removing the RS in 2000. Except for the GS-R, no matter which Integra you got, it came with the same 142-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission was standard. A four-speed automatic was optional.

The performance-oriented GS-R featured a 170-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that was equipped with VTEC. The GS-R came exclusively with a special close-ratio five-speed manual. In road tests of the '98 Acura Integra GS-R, our editors found it to be well balanced in terms of being fun to drive and easy to use on a daily basis.

In 1997, the limited-edition Acura Integra Type R debuted. Available only as a coupe and in a single color (Championship White), the Type R focused purely on performance and featured a high-revving 195-hp version of the 1.8-liter engine. Lighter parts and body panels lowered the Type R's weight by nearly 100 pounds. It came with a tuned suspension system, better brakes, a limited-slip differential and a specially designed close-ratio five-speed manual transmission. In order to further reduce the vehicle's weight, Acura even made the air-conditioning system optional.

Acura produced the Type R in 1998 and again in 2000. The final time around, the Type R wasn't nearly as exclusive and raw. Weight reduction was limited to 33 pounds and this time, Acura provided two colors, yellow and black.

In 2001, the Acura Integra Type R won an Edmunds.com Editors' Most Wanted_SM award for Best Sports Coupe (FWD/AWD) Under $30,000. Today, these-third generation Integras are still highly regarded as used vehicles. Though certainly reliable, they have become quite popular with young enthusiasts wanting to modify their cars with aftermarket parts. As such, finding an unmolested car, particularly in GS-R trim, can be somewhat of a challenge.

Past Acura Integra Models

The original and first-generation Acura Integra debuted in 1986 and came as a two-door or four-door hatchback. Both styles were available in a base RS or more luxurious LS trim and were powered by a 113-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, and a four-speed automatic was available as an option. In 1988, Acura increased engine output to 118 hp, but most of its power was still too high in the rev band to match the lower torque curves of its sports coupe competition.

In 1990, Acura remedied the problem when it released the second-generation Integra. Again offered in two body styles (this time with a four-door sedan), this Integra was more sophisticated and was powered by a new 1.8-liter four-cylinder that made 130 hp. In addition to the RS and LS trims, Acura added a GS trim. It was a "top of the line" trim with added standard equipment, such as antilock brakes and an upgraded interior. All models came standard with a five-speed manual, with a four-speed automatic being optional.

In 1992, Acura bumped power output up to 140 hp. That same year, Acura introduced the Integra GS-R, a performance-oriented trim that was powered by an all-new 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine making 160 hp. It also was the first time Acura applied its variable valve timing system (VTEC) in a car other than the NSX. The GS-R was designated a pure driver's car and came exclusively with a close ratio five-speed manual transmission. It was also equipped with a good deal of standard equipment, such as antilock brakes, a moonroof and power locks and windows.

User Reviews:

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  Good First Car - 1991 Acura Integra
  By LDub - July 15 - 9:26 pm

  Trouble free car, only having to perform regular maintenance. 183,000 miles and still running strong. Love the moonroof, and aftermarket parts are cheap and plentiful customization of this car is limitless. The car is quick for a 4 banger, and handling is top notch. Top this off with Honda reliability and youve got a great car. My only complaints are back seat room is limited, there are no cupholders (which have led to more than a few messes), and the gas mileage could be a little better (i get between 24 and 26 MPG with a mix of city and highway driving). Motor still runs like it is new and there is absolutely no slippage of the tranny. Give this car regular maintenence and it should give you 200,000+ trouble-free miles!! Overall, a good car, highly recommended.

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  Nice car.. - 1997 Acura Integra
  By Jeff - June 16 - 12:38 pm

  It is very nice exterior look. Fun to drive. Good gas mileage and still a pretty cheap car. I love it

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  excellent on gas - 1997 Acura Integra
  By adam - April 30 - 11:27 am

  I drive this car on the highway mostly and get 33mpg. If I drive in the city I get 29mpg. I think Edmunds underrated this cars fuel economy, I consistently get higher miles per gallon and have the automatic transmission. Of course I dont beat up on it so this is probably why. This car is fun to drive, and handles well. I dont have to brake for turns which helps get great gas mileage.

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  Best car ever owned! - 1995 Acura Integra
  By chevelleguy - April 27 - 5:49 am

  I bought my Acura Integra roughly 2 years ago. It has had NO problems. I repeat. NO. PROBLEMS. SCARY, i know. Car gets amazing gas mileage, but still passes cars on the on ramp. My car has 180K on it and it still remains full on the oil fill line at 3,000 miles. At 4,000 miles it drops roughly a half a centimeter. Simply amazing engineering into this 1.8L motor.

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  Nice car but getting old - 1991 Acura Integra
  By brealndt - March 20 - 7:01 pm

  Bought my car through a friend. It has had all of the hoses replaced along with the radiator. However after 15 years it has blown suspension bushings including the RTA. Neither of the cooling fans turn on. Clutch is heavy and shifting is hard due to worn shifter rods. All in all for a car this old and with 168000 not a bad car.

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  Integra good little car - 1997 Acura Integra
  By kim - March 11 - 11:37 am

  I use my car for work, so I do a lot of driving in the country and in winter driving conditions. Very good on slippery roads. Dust is a problem when on gravel roads when the moon roof is open. VG acceleration on exit ramps. Good acceleration in the Rocky Mountains. Drove from Calgary, AB to Vancouver BC. Great gas mileage and a very reliable car, even with -30C winter weather. Stereo isnt that great-replaced that right away.

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  Great Car - 1995 Acura Integra
  By me - March 2 - 6:05 pm

  I have been driving a 1991 civic for the past year, and i hated it. i just upgraded to an integra and it is absolutly amazing. the car is faster, looks and sounds better, and has gotten me alot of credibility. extremly mod-able, i have put an intake in it, a performance muffler, and new wheels/performance tires and havent had any problems with any of that. i also had it painted and got those cool coloured acura emblems. it looks great and im in love with it.

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  Sad that had non fault accident - 1993 Acura Integra
  By DM - February 20 - 6:22 pm

  I bought my car new. Ive had no real problems w/my car. Its great to ride around in w/my three kids. It has great gas milage. I believe it had the nicest body style of all the integras. I am going to have it fixed even though its a older car, its worth it. Milage is only 142000 and running great with front damage. If I had a chance to buy another 1993 I will buy it immediatly.

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  Amazingly reliable, equally fun to drive - 1996 Acura Integra
  By COIntegra - February 19 - 12:49 am

  I purchased this car with approximately 60,000 miles. The car now has nearly 100,000 miles and I have never encountered any problems. I drive the car with spirit and it never lets me down. Combining decent fuel economy, fantastic reliability, and true enjoyent while driving, this car will always be one of my favorites. (Go with the 5-speed to achieve the most power.)

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  The best car ever - 1994 Acura Integra
  By Megan - February 10 - 1:10 pm

  I got this car when I was 16, and I drove her like a 16 year-old. The up- keep was cheap: regular oil changes, brake work, tire changes, and tune- ups. The gas mileage was good and still is 8 years later. Shes been an excellent car, and I hope to drive her for as long as I can. Shes fun to drive, and I feel safe in her. I would buy this car 10 more times.