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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  Booyah! - 1990 Acura Integra
  By TigerT - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used 5 years ago when it had 80,000 miles. Other than routine fixes, this car is as reliable as they come. I now have 130,000 miles on it and I plan on having it for another 4 years.

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  4 dr gsr 94 - 1994 Acura Integra
  By jdt - May 23 - 2:00 am

  one of the best cars Ive owned, excellent design , great performance, top build quality,true sports car handling!

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  2001 GS-R - 2001 Acura Integra
  By ScottS - May 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car a little over 2 years ago and have averaged over 20k miles per year. Great fun to drive once you adjust to the high rev range. Good build quality (only one minor problem with the rear seats). I beat the crap out of it on a regular basis and it always comes back for more.

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  Sporty and reliable - 1999 Acura Integra
  By tdesi420 - May 20 - 2:00 am

  I love tegs a lot. this is actually my second integra. i had a 98 gs earlier, and this one is just as good. love the styling of the car. great for college kids and single people. not recommended for use as a family car. parking is easy with this car, especially here in NYC. Love it!!!

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  Awesome - 1997 Acura Integra
  By joey g - May 19 - 2:00 am

  I love this car!... Its so fun to drive, so awesome lookin, and so cheap when it comes to gas...I only wish it had more than the puny 140 hp...i should of got a gsr...i wish my car had 200 hp

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  GS-R has made a GREAT winter car - 1995 Acura Integra
  By jcorbat - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for nearly 4 years and still love to bang against the 8000 RPM redline while merging on the freeway. You have to drive it like youre angry to get any serious acceleration, but if you keep the tach above 5k it will really move. Drop to 3k and youre dead in the water. The fit & finish is superb as would be expected from Honda. I have had no real mechanical issues with the car and it still uses very little oil between changes even at nearly 110k miles. I did change the timing belt at 70k and brake rotors at about 80k, but based on seeing GM rotors go at 30k...thats not bad.

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  my integra - 1995 Acura Integra
  By freazer - May 14 - 2:00 am

  good engine, and good handling, but also a little bit oversteering.

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  Great Car! - 1992 Acura Integra
  By ReliableIntegra - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Integra used with 80K miles on it. I am now over 160K and it is still running strong. Only needed general maintenance and a few exhaust repairs over the years. All around great car! Very fast!

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  Extremely reliable car - 1996 Acura Integra
  By dil - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is extremely reliable. In 3 yrs., I have only changed one headlight and 2 sparkplugs, thats it. Thats amazing, esp. with the driving that I do. This car is also fun to drive (handling and smooth engine). I would definitely recommend this car to the reader.

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  Great~!!!!Integra Power - 1996 Acura Integra
  By JensenChin - April 15 - 2:00 am

  Great~!!!! Integra Power. Easy to control and very nice to modify~!! My Integra give me the opportunity to experince for driving in a powerful sporty car~!!!