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 WantedSM 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:
Showing 571 through 580 of 602.00-
FANTASTIC - 2000 Acura Integra
By ChrisB - April 9 - 2:00 amI love this car, it beats all cars mwahah.
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GS-R (Great Sport-Ride) - 1992 Acura Integra
By Angell Reyna - April 8 - 2:00 amThis vechile is great. Im the original owner and all this car has given me is fun. There are not many Gs- Rs around anymore, but those who own one will surely love it. With the B17A1 1.7 block, this puppy pushes around 160-170 stock! No major changes have occured, basic maintence and the car still runs really great, and it looks really good too. I can redline with no breeze and the car still feels like its pushing.
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fun car! - 1990 Acura Integra
By val - April 8 - 2:00 amWow! I got my Integra for my first car, and it has been a reliable, fun car! I got FAR better gas mileage then noted.. about 28 city mpg and 35 hiway mpg. I havent done any work on it, and am sad to have to give it up because of a knee injury! I highly recommend it for a first car!
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This is a great car! - 1994 Acura Integra
By Stephanie - April 7 - 3:00 amI bought this car from my aunt and I love it! It handles well, its sporty, and its extremely reliable. It has 170000 miles on it, and the only thing thats been replaced on it is the timing belt. Not Bad!
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The Best - 1998 Acura Integra
By Winson - April 7 - 3:00 amThe best car.
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love the car - 1999 Acura Integra
By buzzer - April 5 - 2:00 amThis car has proven itself to be fun to drive. I love the way it handles back roads. In my situation, single dad with two pre-teen kids, it has plenty of room (the four doors are nice) and the trunk is adequate. Gas mileage is good and no need for premium gas. I have been very happy with this car.
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A solid car - 1995 Acura Integra
By skippy - April 5 - 2:00 amIve owned my 95 Integra for nearly 7 years now. Ive had problems with rattles in the dash and sunroof areas, a minor rust-colored stain on the carpet (when the car was brand new!) and the steering wheel airbag cover finish was peeling off when it was a few months old. Other than that, the car has been very reliable and is fairly fun to drive. It can be noisy in the cabin at higher speeds, though. Theres also a typical Japanese soft steering (over- boosted power) on this "sports car".
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my integra - 1994 Acura Integra
By zuritaf - April 5 - 2:00 amIve had lots of fun with this car do to the fact of all the after market parts you can bye for it.I also enjoy driving it ,it has excelent handling through windy mountains.it also rides very smooth at speeds of 100+mph threw long desert streaches.
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Fun to drive and reliable too! - 1999 Acura Integra
By ttuong - April 3 - 2:00 amThis car is great for driving around town and on the freeway. the shifter is smooth, the acceleration isnt bad either but you do have to rev the engine pretty high to get the power from any VTEC engine. This car can use more sound dampening, as it gets loud at freeway speeds. The factory wheels are alittle loud and when you replace them, it quites down a bit. I get on average about 28 miles per/gal. The back is very cramped if you have to carry passengers back there. Theres alot of after market companies making silly stuff for this car if you like to make it look different.
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An American Compact would have broke! - 1999 Acura Integra
By Andynnola - March 29 - 2:00 amThis isnt the best car on the market but for reliability and fun to drive at a reasonable price this car is second to none. I have owned it for three years and anything American at this price would have been an unreliable rattle trap by now (based on how I drive it). The GSR is solid and quick enough to get around without guzzling gas. Not impressed with Acura service but it doesnt spend much time in the shop. I am looking forward to many years/miles of trouble free flogging in the future.
