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 WantedSM 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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Love the Integra! - 1997 Acura Integra
By MaryAlice - June 5 - 2:00 amIf you are looking for an extremely reliable sedan, look no further than this car. Ive owned my car for 4 years & have never had to service it other than normal maintenance & new tires. This car is fun to drive and is fairly quiet on the highway (when the sunroof is closed) Open the sunroof & its a differant story. Other than that I give this car Highest Ratings!!!
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After 7 years, an excellent car - 1996 Acura Integra
By Madrid - June 5 - 2:00 amAfter 7 years Im about to sell my Integra and will definately miss it. This car is rather spartan in the interior (a disappointment when I bought it), but the engineering (engine, manual transmission and brakes, especially) are the best of any car, hands down. In the first few months we had to replace the drivers airbag and the sun roof got stuck, but since then its been near perfect. At 105,000 miles I recently had to replace the radiator (they use a cheaper plastic top as an original) and, incredibly, Im still on the original brake pads!! Unfortunately, Ive gotten too many tickets with this car and its time to move on.
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A Pleasure to Own - 1997 Acura Integra
By Tim35 - June 4 - 2:00 amThe cars reliability is incredible.. just keep changing the oil every 3000 miles and the car just keeps going. This is my second Integra, had my 90 for 7 years and only thing that went wrong was the timing belt at 70K.
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Good Little Car - 1996 Acura Integra
By RockLobster - June 4 - 2:00 amMy Girlfirend and i bought this car mainly for her to drive. The only complaint i have so far is that its auto transmission seems to be poorly programed and deteriorates the cars responsivness. The AT has to much slop for a car of this type and can be quite frustrating in its ponderous search for the right gear durring more aggressive driving. If buing this car i reccomend steering clear of the auto transmission. Else i can vouch that this is by far the most reliability for the money. These integras are top of the list for reliability. It is for the most part a quick car that is quite fun to drive.
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First Car - 1995 Acura Integra
By J-Boogz - June 4 - 2:00 amMy Acura Integra is my first car and I have had it for 3 months. So far, I have had no mechanical problems with it. It is an 8 year old car, so there will be the normal wear and tear on the car, but other than that it is perfect. According to the history of the car, it has never had any major problems. Its the perfect car to own.
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1996 gsr - 1996 Acura Integra
By jlow125 - June 1 - 2:00 amgreat car fast and very reliable
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My Acura - 1994 Acura Integra
By 666545 - May 29 - 2:00 amI have just bought this car, so I dont know how long it will last me. It has 100k miles on it but It is incredibly fun to drive and I dont think I could have found a better car.
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Best Buy! - 1994 Acura Integra
By Miguel Lopez - May 28 - 2:00 amBest car investment ever! Bought it used in 1996 with 27,000 miles on it and it is about to turn 200,000 miles. As long as you do the regular maintenance, this car will continue to run without having to put much into it. In almost 200,000 miles, there have not been any major repair other than regular maintenance. Has not even needed an alignment! Not once has it left me stranded on the road. Extremely reliable. Would definitely buy another one, but it may be a while, this one is still going...
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1991 acura integra gs hatchback - 1991 Acura Integra
By matt foley - May 25 - 2:00 am100 percent reliable. bad in snow, but easily fixed with studded tires. fantastic gas mileage, 28 in winter, 34 in summer. only thing missing is the cupholders.
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wahahaha - 1991 Acura Integra
By mike mccue - May 24 - 2:00 amthis car is crazy with the cool air intake and exhaust kit i put on it. Mine has like one hudred and 85 horsepower.
