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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  Super Great Integra - 1995 Acura Integra
  By integra85 - December 6 - 2:00 am

  Even with the stock 140hp engine, this car is loads and loads of fun to drive, a few aftermarket installs can get you the amount of power or more than the vtec motor. This is my second car, my first was a maxima, and this is easily my favorite, it handles nimbly, accelerates pretty decently, has a timeless design and even the redline on the stock motor is higher than ones found in other cars in this segment at 6900rpm. Great, great car!

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  1997 Acura Integra GSR - 1997 Acura Integra
  By KWW - December 5 - 2:00 am

  Overall, this is a good car. A very RELIABLE car!! While it is no longer in production, there are a few things that could have been better. Comfort is lacking as the seats feel like you are sitting on cardboard. This is a real problem as we do alot of long distance driving 250+ miles at any given time. Only had two repairs during the warranty period...the CD player and the radiator. Finally, I think the factory tire choice could also have been better, the Michellin tires were a bit hard, loud and horrible in the wet.

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  acura integra 1990 hatchback - 1990 Acura Integra
  By jim beam - December 5 - 2:00 am

  this car has been unbelievably reliable and worry frre engine and transmission have no problems thus far for 100,000+ miles! handles well, convenient interior, nice looking exterior. the hatchback is great for all loading/ working needs however it would be nice not to have the lip to lift thgings over and instead have a flat slide out for stuff when taking stuff out of the hatch. over all this isd a GREAT car for the money-- i hope to have it for another 200,000 miles, as it has beern touted in consumer reports...

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  Great used car - 1994 Acura Integra
  By cgh20 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car a year ago looking for a nice, reliable, yet sporty car. I found a gem! This car is quick, handles great, and still gets nearly 30mpg on the highway! I havent had any mechanical problems with it and being an Acura/Honda, it should last me another 150,000 miles or so! I recommend this car to anyone.

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  Why I am trading in my Acura - 1991 Acura Integra
  By john brown - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Acura Integra for 11 years & have no complaints. It is the most dependable car I have ever owner. I purchased it new from Legend Motors in Oct of 91 & it has 70,000 actual miles on it. These are highway miles & it has always been serviced when needed. The gas mileage is great (about 25 to 30 miles a gallon) on short trips & 30 to 35 on long trips. I am planning on trading in on a 4 wheel drive SUV which we need to pull our boat.

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  2000 Integra GSR - 2000 Acura Integra
  By shado - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for about a year now and it is a fun car to drive. The VTEC engine is exciting to listen to. Once you hit that 4500 rpm you just want to keep revving the motor up. The only downside to perfomance is that you wont get that much torque compared to high torquey cars, but on the long run the VTEC system really helps for high speeds. Third gear is the best gear and after that its not really fun no more. So you have to go back again. When I first recieved this car I thought it was a dissapointment, but it turned out to be the best car.

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  Bought, certified, to replace rusty CRX - 2000 Acura Integra
  By panta - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Lively performance for 1800cc Vtech engine. Acceleration to cruising speed takes little time and only 3 gears.I got 34mpg without taking it easy. Car is very quiet and solid. Turning radius is very large compared to my 84 CRX, Steering wheel too close, pedals and shift knob a bit too far away. As a certified car with 42,000 miles on it when I got it, it looked very close to a brand new very elegant black/black car, stunning appearance. Dont think Ill dare to throw it around like a go cart as I did with the CRX all the time. I did all the work on the "X" but all the computers in the GSR have me baffled

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  Wrecked Acura - 1990 Acura Integra
  By wapnlht - November 26 - 2:00 am

  I have driven the heck out of my car and its survived ok.But I had a few probs:a/c broke,axels replaced 3 times in 3 yrs,alt,radi,trans grinds,clutch, brakes replaced every 2ks,antenna,etc. But I love my car.It has 250k but still runs great.It had been wrecked before so it isnt perfect,but it starts up every time I turn the key.

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  Great Car for City and College - 1997 Acura Integra
  By DarkangelofBaltimore - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Integra GS 2-door for three years now. NO PROBLEMS! Quite possibly THE most reliable car Ive ever owned! Quick, fuel efficient, parts are cheap, FUN to drive, strong engine for its size (buy a radar detector), and youd be surprised what you can fit in the trunk when the back seats are folded down! The backseats arent terribly comfortable for any trip longer than 2 hours. Seriously cramped. Front seats have lots of room, esp. head room. Im 62" and have PLENTY of headroom. I HIGHLY recommend the car for college students who need cheap reliable transport. EASY to parallel park and small.

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  My Awesome GS-R! - 1998 Acura Integra
  By Soul Reaver - November 24 - 2:00 am

  The best thing about this car might possibly be the handling. It is superb on this car. Rack and pinion steering is excellent for this machine. 170 horsepower gets this car where you want it to fast. 4-wheel disc brakes and anti-lock add to the car quite a bit. Nice suspension, beautiful body, excellent reliability. This car is near perfect in my eyes.