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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  Black Bullet - 1996 Acura Integra
  By unreal0690 - March 18 - 2:00 am

  This car has been an excellent replacement for my first car, a Honda Prelude. The ride isnt quite as firm as the Prelude, but its much more firm than my friends cars. It has been run really hard for 6 1/2 years now, and its still going strong. The only abnormal maintenance has been replacing the radiator. This car is the best. I wouldnt trade it for the world!!!

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  Very good car - 1991 Acura Integra
  By xs6dfg01 - March 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Integra in the Spring of 1997 and sold it in the Spring of 2002. This was the best car I ever owned. I would have kept it but I needed a 4-door vehicle. I purchased it with 60K miles on it and sold it with 150K miles on it and it still ran so quiet you didnt even know the car was turned on unless you looked at the tach! Honda makes the best 4 cylinder motors on the planet, period.

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  Great affordable luxury/sport sedan - 1990 Acura Integra
  By crxbrett - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I had the 90 GS Sedan and never let me down. The car handled and cornered like it was on rails (I did upgrade the wheels to 16s and had low-pro tires). The engine is adequate for city driving, but needs to be revved past 5500 rpms to get any kind of power (0- 60 is about 8.5 seconds). SO A 5-SPD IS A MUST! Do not get an AUTO! The cabin is very nicely done and isnt too fancy or dated looking. I recommend the 90- 93 Integra if you want a car with good looks, good driving characteristics and good reliability.

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  Horrible car - 1990 Acura Integra
  By nycdarkness - March 10 - 2:00 am

  Where do I start, probably the worst car ever made from Honda/Acura. The inside feels cheap with all that plastic, the engine is loud, no cupholders, the heating system doesnt work, the defoggers dont work fast enough, and the worst is that the door locks freeze when it gets too cold. With me residing in upstate NY, I would not recommend this car to anyone that lives in a cold place. On really cold days, the car doesnt start. This car is hard to repair because the placement of the parts under the hood suck. The acceleration of this vehicle can be compared to that of a snail, I can probably run faster than this car. Makes a really good paper weight

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  A very good car - 1998 Acura Integra
  By Fred_in_Toronto - March 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a very good car. Good looking and reliable. I have this car for almost 5 years now and not a major problem occurs. It is not a performance car but it can run pretty quick. The handling is great. For everyday use, this is a perfect car.

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  GSR - 1995 Acura Integra
  By RAYsmith530 - March 2 - 2:00 am

  i have had a lot of fun with this car and it is a blast to drive. i would suggest this car to everyone

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  Excellent Buy - 1991 Acura Integra
  By Pilsner - March 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1991 Integra in the summer of 1996 after owning a Dodge Daytona. As Im a ex farm boy from Saskatchewan Canada, my integra has had the pleasure of plowing through snow drifts, ripping up muddy roads, trips through the rocky mountains and two trips up to Alaska. After all this, the car is still as solid as my sisters 2002 RSX.

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  A True Classic - 1994 Acura Integra
  By TimJD - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought my second GSR after my first one got totalled, which goes a long way in showing how much of a fan I am of these cars. These cars are the ULTIMATE college car. Fairly fast, go- cart handling, great gas mileage, reliable, and that warm fuzzy feeling it gives you when you rev the engine past 6000. For the time, this car was a technological marvel, a four cylinder that had equaled V6s in power in the present day, it still does not fail to impress, thank you for the memories Honda!

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  Wonderful Car - 1996 Acura Integra
  By dmsgsr - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I got my GSR with 12k miles on it. Ive just sold it for $12,000 with 70k miles! The car eats tires (because I drive it hard) but still had the original brakes! I replaced NOTHING in the car, including the battery! The only problems I had were the buzzing heat sheild on the exhaust and the rattling hatchback which the dealer fixed...

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  Great Car - 1995 Acura Integra
  By tdpotq1 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the car new and ended up putting 160,000 miles on this car. It never broke down and the worst thing that happened to it was the cassette player busted after only 3 years. The exhaust system had to be replaced several times, but all in all, it was a great car. It handled extremely well for a entry-level sports car.