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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  1994 Integra GS-R 4DR - 1994 Acura Integra
  By elusualsuspect - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Purchased in May 1998...extremely reliable and fun-to-drive...more than enough speed for the freeway and around town...has a lot of practical functionality like folding rear seats...pulls .87 on the skidpad...change oil every 6K with Mobil 1...compression remains as strong as the day it was bought...very responsive to driver inputs...has the handling characteristics of more expensive cars, but is very affordable and fun to drive...consider this car "point-and-shoot performance with a practical twist"...best value for a front-driver under 25K!

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  The ABSOLUTE best car for college!! - 1998 Acura Integra
  By Grant - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Have had the car for 5 years and NOT ONE problem! This car is just awesome and is the best college car a student can have. On top of being reliable it is still worth 9k with 75000 miles!

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  Nice car - 1992 Acura Integra
  By John W. Doe - February 16 - 2:00 am

  This car has everything a car needs performance, fuel economy, and reliability. Almost a 100k and still drives better than my last car which had only 52k on it. Its very fun to drive because of its awesome acceleration. I would recomend this car to anybody.

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  Fun ride-94 Integra - 1994 Acura Integra
  By jiml - February 13 - 2:00 am

  Reliable LITTLE car. good fuel mileage, it handles great in the mountains. Decent stereo but I did upgrade the speakers. The car has a solid feel to it and the steering still is nice and tight with 101500 miles on it.

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  Integras the best cars ever build!!! - 1993 Acura Integra
  By Ignacio M S.Sort-UPS - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I own a 1993 Acura Integra LS coupe. The car is fun to drive and there are a lot of aftermarket parts for them. I got mine right before I graduated from high school, and now I use it to go to college and it is the very realiable with no serious problems. The only complent I have is a leaky gasket which I heard is a very common problem with integras. I have upgraded to many engine mods and the car just keeps getting better. I dont think Ill ever sell it. Why buy a new car, when this one is so great and it has plenty of life left after all its a HONDA!!

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  1995 ACURA INTEGRA SPECIAL EDITION - 1995 Acura Integra
  By LORENZO - February 11 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS AN AWESOME VEHICLE! SPORTY COMFORTABLE AND POWERFUL. PAINT SHINES LIKE IT WAS JUST OUT OF THE SHOP. RUNS GREAT WITH OVER 130,000 MILES. LOOKS AND PERFORMS GREAT.

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  Best Dam Car That I Ever Had! (AC/DC) - 1993 Acura Integra
  By seve - February 2 - 2:00 am

  My 1993 Integra has provided me with 178,562 miles of pure driving excitement, and still going strong! Comfortable seating & peppy performance. I modified mine with Intake, Headers, and Freeflow exhaust. The Integra loves to breathe, and outperforms most new civics and the 4th generation Integras. The 93 body style was the best look ever, this car is long and mean with wraparound headlights. Plenty of space for both Mountain bikes in the hatchback. I bought a new Acura CL-S, but I still kept my Integra, I just cannot see parting with it. Still drive it every weekend to keep it from getting too jealous!

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  Excellent buy - 1994 Acura Integra
  By Gordonchick - February 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1994 Integra LS used in 1996. I have not had any major problems with it nor has it ever let me sit alongside the road. I would recommend this car in a minute.

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  Excellent sports car for the price - 2001 Acura Integra
  By shawnruff - January 31 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive, not only is it quick, but it can handle like you would not believe. I have had absolutely no problems with my GSR, the only time I work on it is when Im adding performance modifications to it.

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  The best coupe in its class - 1994 Acura Integra
  By Sman - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 92k miles, but the car run great. Replaced the clutch at 100k, other then that the car was really reliable, fast, and fun to drive! But the thieves love them too and mine got stolen. I would love to own another one!