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:

• 

  love my car - 1994 Acura Integra
  By becca5447 - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought it wrecked and fixed it up. It now has 160,000 miles on it and it still drives like a new car. I love it.

• 

  Best Car Ever - Bang for Buck - 1992 Acura Integra
  By GeorgeinMD - October 31 - 1:00 am

  This is my 2nd 1992 GS Hatchback. The 1st. one lasted 200K, with no problems at all. I sold it to a friend who is still driving it today, with 265K+ miles on it. My new one one has only 46K on the clock, and has many, many years ahead. These cars are stylish tanks that keep going & going. They only need routine maint., never any expensive repairs. ACURA outdid themselves with this one. Parents, this is the best used car value for your kids just starting to drive. By far, the best overall car Ive ever owned. Ive owned Nissans, M-Benz, Ford, Toyotas, etc....and none of them compare to this car dollar for dollar value.

• 

  Reliable Car and fun to drive - 1996 Acura Integra
  By bdooley23 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Mine has 107k and only non scheduled work Ive had to do was new brakes (front & rear) and minor repair to exhaust system. Great gas mileage and very fun to drive. clear coat isnt that great but hey after 9 years everything cant be great.

• 

  INTEGRA - 1993 Acura Integra
  By PETEY - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle, although its more than a decade old, is still a very reliable automobile. I use it for my daily driver and it hasnt given me any problems yet.

• 

  Great Economy Car - 1994 Acura Integra
  By TravFlava26 - October 6 - 2:00 am

  The Acura Integra has been very good to me and would recommend to anyone.

• 

  I love my car... - 1996 Acura Integra
  By Integra Fan - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I love my car so much I am having trouble parting with it. Am looking at minivans as have new additions to family. This car served me well. Only repairs were exhaust/brakes (normal maintenance). It has awesome acceleration, handling. So much fun to drive. Great fuel economy. Sterio is great. ALOT of car for the money. Exterior held up well in snow country.

• 

  Awesome Ride - 1995 Acura Integra
  By Naterbaseball - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I love my GS-R. These cars are so fun to drive and reliable. You dont have to worry about anything as long as you do regular matenince. For the price you cant find anything better, with the DOHC V-tec engine it makes trips to the store exciting! I would recommend this car to anyone who has the desire to have a sports car at a reasonable price!

• 

  Great Car - 1996 Acura Integra
  By Vanyan - September 24 - 2:00 am

  This car has great handling, good acceleration at higher RPMs, low maintenance, and looks great. I highly recommend owning an Integra. A standard transmission is a must.

• 

  Sure has been fun! - 1992 Acura Integra
  By Aunt B - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 92 Acura Integra LS in 1994 with 54,000 miles on it - Now 10 years later we have over 352,000 miles...and its still going strong. Yes, the engine is not as great as it once was and neither is the paint job, but I drive 166 miles everyday over the last two years and its been one reliable vehicle. Being a female of average size, the car is very comfortable to drive. Plenty of get up a go (have a manual). Yes, Ive spent some money repairing the car (Timing belt, Ac, Radiator, etc...) - however, it has served me well and has been better for me than another car payment. I do recommend synthetic oil for a long wearing engine!

• 

  Still going strong after all these years - 1991 Acura Integra
  By C. Michael - September 17 - 2:00 am

  This is the first and only car I have ever owned and it still runs great, even after 13 years and 246,300 miles... on the original engine and transmission! It keeps going and going and going. Routine maintenance is a snap, parts are easy to find and cheap, and gas mileage is still great (about 25 to 30 mpg city & 30 to 35 mpg highway). With routine maintenance, this car still runs like the day I bought it. Handling is fantastic... this car will turn on a dime and get you out of some sticky situations. I can only hope that my next car will be this good.