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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  Perfection - 1996 Acura Integra
  By brujc - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Integra for 7 years and I have had no, I repeat, no mechanical problems. The only things that I needed were a new power radio antenna and tires. Not bad for seven years. Ive had more fun driving this car than any I have owned and Ive owned Zs and RX7s.

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  Simply an awesome, awesome, awesome car! - 1994 Acura Integra
  By Spoiled in SF - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 94 Integra LS 2-door for almost 10 years, and it has been amazing and extremely reliable. Only now am I starting to make larger maintenance investments, but those are mostly the result of my hard-driving road style... but dang, its been a lot of fun getting it to this point! Great performance, great price, just a sweet car if youre on a budget.

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  Integra GS - 2000 Acura Integra
  By Byron King - July 2 - 2:00 am

  My family and I have owned the 2000 Integra GS up till now and my dad still thinks that this cars drives brand new. If you believed that the Hondas were reliable and efficient... think again. Since the day we bought it this car has been such a pleasure to drive. It is extremely reliable and very fuel efficient. Downfall is probably the back seat space because it is quite condensed. Overall though it is a great car to keep, I know my dad has no intention of selling this car.

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  1991 Integra LS - 1991 Acura Integra
  By JRBNH - July 1 - 2:00 am

  Its a great car. Amazingly reliable- now has over 260k miles. Still returns 30 mpg+. Very pleasing interior design and colors. Comfortable seats, the hatch design is versatile. No problem getting stuck in 7 New England winters. An all-around excellent car.

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  Zoom Zoom! - 1999 Acura Integra
  By GSR Mike - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Wow! This car is just plain fun to drive! A true reasonably priced sports car. The car handles well, has great acceleration - its a Honda. The AC is ice cold, heat is also great. The leather seats are soft, but give you the support you need while driving. The engine revs and begs to be pushed.

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  My first car! - 1992 Acura Integra
  By Frank Par - June 20 - 2:00 am

  This is the first car I ever owned and I couldnt be happier with it! Its easy to park, great accerlation, fuel economic, great car to learn to drive in. I liked the fact that you have a great view through the back as a result of having the hatchback, there are very few blind spots anywhere you look. It handles great and has not given me any problems. I bought this car used with 102000 miles and it runs better than my Dads 2000 Grand Prix that only has 18000 miles. The only thing I have done to the car since I got was was change the rear shocks, install new altezza lights in the rear (makes it look a lot newer), and upgraded the sound system.

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  EXCITING RIDE - 1997 Acura Integra
  By CPR - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Great to drive around town, to work or simply to show off your stylin vehicle. Had no problems after 26,000 miles except for the ABS brakes.

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  Acuras Amazing Sports Car! - 1999 Acura Integra
  By G2k - June 15 - 2:00 am

  Owning the car was a delight from the beginning. Everyone seems to love the car the minute they get into it. Ever since the first time i drove the car i knew it was the one for me!

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  Perfection of a Dream - 1999 Acura Integra
  By Rework83 - June 13 - 2:00 am

  Growing up this was my dream car. When I was able to afford it I was so happy. Since the day I drove it off the lot it has been nothing but driving on a cloud from then on. The performance and handling it off the hook. It is still stock and it will still impress. Am I happy with my Integra? HECK YEA!!!

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  Outstanding car - 1992 Acura Integra
  By B17Vortech - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This car has better performance than most cars currently competing in its market and it was manufactured in 92. Some very cheap upgrades and you have a car that better than anything in its market, even 10 years later.