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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  awesome ride - 1994 Acura Integra
  By jusu - October 18 - 2:00 am

  cute, comfy, lots of power and totally reliable!

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  Love this car - 1992 Acura Integra
  By Spaghetti - October 17 - 2:00 am

  After 10 years and 100K miles its still fun to drive because it handles great and has lots of power. Sporty handling is strong, tight and clean. Still looks sexy and almost like new. Trunk carries plenty. Never any serious problems.

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  Awesome Buy! - 1990 Acura Integra
  By wendtd - October 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is outstanding still for a 1990! This car is sporty,small, fast, and has alot of space to put subs in the trunk! This car is overall a really nice car for a teen!

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  GS-R with upgrades :) ! - 1994 Acura Integra
  By Heckert - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Great car! I have done some tuning and it is a real head turner even with 130,000 miles.

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  Great Schizophrenic! - 1996 Acura Integra
  By lynx racer - October 9 - 2:00 am

  What an amazing car! A high mileage daily driver and a weekend autocrosser capable of doing well. Good mileage, exceptional reliability, strong dealer and manufacturer support. My car has not been babied, but driven 108,000 miles and autocrossed 25 or more times a year over 4 years. The only reason I have found to part with it is locating a nearly new GS-R, the same car with more motor, a CD player and some other performance goodies.

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  92 Acura Integra GS - 1992 Acura Integra
  By AcuTom - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This has been very reliable vehicle. 10 years old and still looks stylish. Very nice highway ride, quiet. No major mechanical problems, very little rust.

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  Fun to drive - 1990 Acura Integra
  By Talat Islam - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car with 85000 miles. I have put another 40000 almost. Still runs great. The only problem I had was with the a/c. Once fixed its great now. Its a great car to drive.

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  92 GS - 1992 Acura Integra
  By Rey-Ray - October 1 - 2:00 am

  loving it ever since it came out...the best body style...excellent motor..fully loaded...the best car i ever had...EVER

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  I loved this car - 1993 Acura Integra
  By bct - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I am selling this car because I just had a child and 2 door cars dont work. I never had any problems with this car. I am selling it for $4,000 and only paid $16,000 new. (This car cost me about $1,000 a year to own. What a value!) I never had to put any money in this car except for routine mainance. The transmission and engine have never needed repair. I would recommed this car to any single person.

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  Best money I have ever spent - 1994 Acura Integra
  By autoscott - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 84K miles on it three years ago. Now I have 120K miles and it still drives the same way it did back then. For the money, this car handles incredibly well, with adequate power. When you think of value, this has it all. I have put no money into it, other than routine maintenance, which I have performed myself. I enjoy driving this car everyday to work. It has become my second car (Primary car is now 2002 Lexus IS300), as I could not bear to part from it. Sure the Lexus is great, I love it, but there is something about the GS-R that is truly remarkable. This is a car with a soul.