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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  Love it - 1995 Acura Integra
  By Jeff2220 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  My stock 95 Integra has done it all: helped me move (hatchback with the seats down give you a ton of space), commuted over 100 miles a day everyday for two years, drive from Boston to NJ every other weekend for the past two years, and get me to work and back everyday. Through it all the car has no rust, never broken down, and doesnt have one annoying rattle or squeek! I have 140K on it now and cant bear to part with it...love the Integra. Hope the RSX lives up to the reputation.

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  Since 2001 - 2001 Acura Integra
  By Sri - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Great sports car. I have had it for more than 2 years. Great car for Street driving . Best performance in Higher RPMs. Not for snow , not for comfort, you feel every bump on the road. Not a family car. Its for people who are in need for speed.

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  EXCELLENT CAR! - 1996 Acura Integra
  By Hilary - April 8 - 2:00 am

  My husband and I Rebuilt this acura (salvage front end colision) I was very sceptical that a 1.8 would have far more power than my civic 1.6 well when we finished the rebuild we raced them (both pretty much stock) this car (integra) took off and left my little civic choken in its dust (lol) I love this car its a 5-spd thats the only way to go if you want POWER I dont know why I was not in tune with an acura years ago. It is VERY simular to a Lexus in luxuary, mine is the special edition very much like the gsr with leather interior and POWER!

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  Most inexpensive car ever - 1992 Acura Integra
  By ccccc - April 5 - 2:00 am

  This is, by far, the cheapest car Ive ever owned. Aside from routine maintainence, only have needed brakes / battery / exhaust. Not bad for a 11 year old car! Still runs great!!!

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  GS-Rs Forever - 1995 Acura Integra
  By BrentSzabad - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my GS-R a half year ago. As time goes by everything just gets better and better. Im in the process of putting in a Stage III Clutch from Ram clutches. The car is just amazing. Its got a bit of body roll, but it still hugs and thats nothing some new springs and shocks cant fix. Hell I raced a 71 Vette Stingray and won. No complaints here!

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  Good car - 1990 Acura Integra
  By kevlexus - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my car with 150k on it. Had to get a 2nd car because of these high gas prices and having a SUV will break your pockets. Car is very fun to drive. Car is very easy to fix and parts are cheap and readily available. Dont have to go to the dealer for everything( my previous car was a 95 BMW 740i). Anyone with a basic knowledge of auto mechanics can keep this car running and tuned up. Driver seat was a little worn when i brought it but it seems like all of them are like that with this many miles on them. Seat cover fixed that problem. Paint still has a little luster to it. Very good 2nd car or car for a student.

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  Integra 2000 -- I Love It! - 2000 Acura Integra
  By M. Moore - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Granted, I prefer small cars, but graduating from a Honda Civic, this car was just that much better. Its sleek profile never goes out of style, and it handles really well. I can always scoot through where SUVs fear to try. My husband had a much more expensive car and agreed the handling on the Integra was much better. Mechanically, this car is a dream. Aside from scheduled maintenance, Ive never had a single mechanical failure. Ive been leasing it for the last three years, and Im seriously considering buying it.

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  Cant be beat ! - 1990 Acura Integra
  By REL-GA - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this car in Sep 1990 and now have 195,000 miles on it. The reliability is unbelievable. It has the original clutch, alternator and exhaust system. The only money sunk into this car has been routine maintenance (oil changes/brake pads/belts/water pump). Excellent for a first time driver.

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  10 years and kicking! - 1994 Acura Integra
  By Acura Lover - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive had mine for 10 years this September and it has been the best car. It has never failed to crank up the first time and has only been in the shop for scheduled maintenance and oil changes. I highly recommend this reliable and fun car.

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  Fun! - 1998 Acura Integra
  By Gilmour93 - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I got my GS-R new in 98 and drove it happily for 4 years. So much fun to drive. My only real complaint is that it was starting to fall apart when I ditched it. Manifold was rattling, master power window switch broke, rear washer fluid dispenser broken. Also, job 1 is to scrap the factory tires.