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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  Great Car - 1990 Acura Integra
  By DecFlispi - January 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car and I must say its great. I love it. This car give good gas mileage with plenty of power. This thing will hold its own even against most newer cars. Mine and almost 150K miles and my tranny and clutch are still good. Ive had no big problems since Ive owned it. The exhaust system and drivers seat wear are common problems of these cars, also the road noise is pretty loud, but can be fixed. It has great trunk space. Handles good and makes a great first car for anyone.

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  One of the best cars ever - 1998 Acura Integra
  By Mr. Vaughan - January 8 - 2:00 am

  With out a doubt the funnest car I have ever driven. Never have any problems but not speeding!

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  I had the firday night special - 1996 Acura Integra
  By BrianV - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This 96 GSR was fast. For some reason it was faster then all other GSRs, faster then the type-rs, and faster then most other cars. It ran mid 14 seconds stock. The car was bone stock and just moved like Ive never seen a GSR move. At any rate, this car was fast but had some fluke problem that no one could fix. It would blow radiators every 1k-3k mi, and ten mechanics including acura could never fix it. Had to sell car because of this. It will be my last Honda, the interior quality and maintenece on Hondas are disappointing. Nissan and Toyota is more reliable and less money for regular maint.

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  Great Value - 1992 Acura Integra
  By Armitage - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I did a lot of research trying to find a fun, reliable car for under $5,000. I was able to find it in my Integra. I bought the GS model which has all the power accessories but does not have the vtec engine. The 1.8 liter engine in it though, has plenty of zip and has been really reliable. There are plenty of after market components you can buy to make it faster or look better and its really not that much differenet than a Honda Civic if you do your own auto repair. I found this car to be a much better value of comparable models like the Nissan 240 or Toyota Celica.

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  type r rules - 2000 Acura Integra
  By costas - January 2 - 2:00 am

  this vehicle is a race car straight out of the box. you need to do absoulotely nothing to it. no other veh on the road can offer you this type of formula 1 technolgy for the price. if you cant afford a nsx this is definitely the next best thing. the more i drive it the better it gets.

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  Second to None - 1991 Acura Integra
  By Nick Walker - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I drive a 91 GS Hatchback. Everytime i get into my Integra i feel like im in a brand new red sports car. The integra does not look like an 11 year-old car. The engine could be a little more powerful but there is no doubt in my mind that this car is like the Jerry Rice of NFL recivers. This car is Second to None. No domestic cars are even in this same catagory. Not even some of the 90s civic can even hope to challenge this beast.

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  Integra Non-Vtec - 1995 Acura Integra
  By antillano - December 30 - 2:00 am

  This has been an extremely reliable car. My car has 129,000 miles. I have had only to replace the radiator and the A/C evaporator. All other repairs or replacement parts have been required due to the heavy use I have given this car (clutch, tires, brake pads, timing belt). This car has traveled between Philadelphia and Miami 5 times with no problems. On weekdays I drive this car an average of 50 miles per day in a combination of city and highway driving and the car still gives a fuel economy of about 27-29 miles per gallon.

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  integra - 2001 Acura Integra
  By mari - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had my integra for a little over a year. I can not even think about a car that I would rather have. It is reliable, gets good gas mileage, it is completely pratical and best yet it is fun to drive. I have not yet had any kind of problems at all.

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  love this car - 1994 Acura Integra
  By NYCDRIVER - December 24 - 2:00 am

  if you dont want to spend a lot of money on a car but yet want a reliable fun to drive car - this is it. costs a little more than the civic but performs way better. I have a little girl and the 4dr version is a great car for a young family (although the trunk is not huge).

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  MY LITTLE ACRUA GS - 1990 Acura Integra
  By DAVID MORRELL - December 19 - 2:00 am

  After driving GM products and never pasting a gas station it is great to be in a car that is fast and good on gas. I had this car doing 120 mph @ 6500 rpms and it was doing great. The part cost a little more then GM but thatS what you pay for (quality) when you pay more.