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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  erics opinion - 1995 Acura Integra
  By eric paplia - October 13 - 2:00 am

  i have had my car for only about a month and i already love it. it is my favorite vehicle i have owned. it gets good gas milage and it is very reliable.

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  GS-R: A 4-door joy - 1995 Acura Integra
  By Tom T. - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been a workhorse logging 40 miles of commuting daily and weekend ventures into Chicago. When I needed to leave somewhere in a hurry (like, for example, Chicago), it was there. Too low to be a comfort vehicle - my wifes back kept us in her car for longer trips - and not the best in winter snow, it was still a dream car for me.

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  What a car! - 1994 Acura Integra
  By jfleck - October 10 - 2:00 am

  My Integra is the best car I have ever owned. I bought it 5 years ago and I have had no unscheduled repairs. I now have 103000 miles and it runs like the day I bought it. I plan on passing it on to my 16 year old daughter so she can enjoy it for many years to come.

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  AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!! - 1998 Acura Integra
  By Eraze - September 26 - 2:00 am

  this car is awsome, if you want wny of the above, this cars got it

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  This Car has no limits - 2000 Acura Integra
  By James Stewart - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought my gsr over my old civic ex, which was tuned well, and qiuckly found the Gsr Dohc Vtec could get the job done. The stock suspension is good but can become great. Ive done about 10 small performance improvement and this car is cranking 219 aftermarket HP.

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  Integras Rule! - 1995 Acura Integra
  By Scotth84 - September 15 - 2:00 am

  to anyone looking for a new car an integra is your best bet with miles to gallon and reliabity i love mine and you will too.

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  nice car, i love hondas - 1995 Acura Integra
  By enzo ferrari - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Givin this car is a Civic underneath and the suspension creeks when I get in and out of the car, it is fun to drive. I put Pirellis on it and the handling improved immensely. Who cannot love a 8000+ redline. I also have a2002 Gti VW, and while the VW is quicker off the line, but the GSR will crush it in top speed. AS far as style, I dont especially like the rear of the car, but I like the side view and think the front is styled after the NSX. How good is that. I reccommend this car especially to someone who wants a five speed and loves to shift. You need to work the gearbox.

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  logansgsr - 1995 Acura Integra
  By Logan Haden - September 12 - 2:00 am

  i just bought the vehicle and am so happy to have it.i love driving it it is so much fun. quick and has a strong engine. i know acuras are reliable from other peoples opinion. ive wanted one since i was 16 now im almost 20 and own it without payments. great car

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  1990 Integra - 1990 Acura Integra
  By wpd - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Awesome Car. Still love it after 13 years. Just starting to have to replace some items, after 170,000 miles. Its been a true pleasure to own.

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  My Teal Acura - 1995 Acura Integra
  By John L - August 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 95 Acura Integra AT Coupe new in 1995 and really wanted a Green one, but had to settle for the Teal (Blue Green) color. This has been a fabulous car - very reliable and fun to drive. Only problems I have had with it was early in its life the antenna kept breaking but it was under warranty and the dealer fixed it twice. The last fix worked because I havent had any more trouble with it. I got 75K miles on the original Michelins and had to change out the radiator around 100K, but nothing else serious. It does go through brakes around every 15K to 20K. Its never left me stranded and has never broke down on me.