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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  Love my Integra - 2000 Acura Integra
  By Dave - January 24 - 10:42 am

  Ive been driving for over 30 years and owned many cars and this is easily my favorite. Its fun to drive and when I wash and wax it up it looks great. The car is nine years old with 106k miles and yet it is still tight and everything works. Just had the timing belt changed ($700) and plan on keeping this baby for several more years.

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  Great Car RIP - 2000 Acura Integra
  By CabinFever - January 21 - 2:05 pm

  I bought this new and drove it for 9 years. Just got rear ended and this may be the end of the line. This is too bad, as this was a great little car. Has (had) 93K on it. Got great mileage 27-31MPG. Sooo fun to drive. Handles great. I had the manual shift. I loved its small size but fit 4 to 5. Trunk could have been bigger but I still managed 2 hockey bags back there sometimes. Not whisper quiet but I liked to know how the engine was doing. Only a few issues. Most of them minor. Replaced brakes. Hood latch failed. Tried to keep up with Acura scheduled maintenance - but its not cheap. I KNOW this thing would have went 150K / 15 years plus. Its a sad thing... I loved it.

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  Welcome to Reliability City - 1995 Acura Integra
  By Kurt in Sacramento - January 17 - 11:01 am

  This is my second Integra. I bought this one one year ago with 90K miles. Now it has 110K miles and no problems. I had the A/C recharged and thats it. If you want a car that will keep you out of the mechanics shop, this is it. All it needs is an oil change every 3 or 4 thousand miles. If you can find one with lower mileage (ideally) that has not been modified by a youngster or whoever, dont think about it, just buy it! You will be glad you did. Keep in mind 2001 is the last year for the Integra. Suggestion if the car has around 100K miles, make sure the timing belt has been changed or change it yourself for peace-of-mind any more years of service.

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  Still Going Strong - 1995 Acura Integra
  By roadrunner1995 - December 18 - 3:45 pm

  As the original owner, I just love my Integra. I have had multiple offers from young people I do not know approaching me about selling the car. It has over 280,000 original miles and has never had anything but maintenance work done on it. I just learned that the transmission is starting to go, so an investment of $2K will be well worth it to replace the trans. My 7 year old grandson calls it "Grandmas Hotrod". He loves cars and I told him it is his when he is 16 if he continues to do well in school. This car is staying in the family for sure.

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  Fantastic car! - 1996 Acura Integra
  By beach_drive - December 17 - 5:15 pm

  This is a fantastic car! Purchased in 1996, Im the original owner. Extremely reliable. No problems. The only thing I would change is larger cup holders and more interior storage for CDs, etc. Also, my headlights also (lately) seem to burn out quickly, have no reason why. Pros: Super fast, the trunk is very roomy and this car has back seats that fold down for extra storage. I plan to get a new car at some point, but I cant seem to part with it! Im happy to spend my money on travel and continue to drive this fabulous Acura!

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  Integra Squad - 1995 Acura Integra
  By D Man - December 17 - 1:40 am

  Bought this car used w 120k on it for $3000. Only had it for about 5000 miles but it feels and handles solid. The gas mileage is great, 30 every time and I drive really fast. Engine is slow but good for getting around with some mods you can make it quick. Parts are dirt cheap. Good stuff. Better than most new cars.

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  Most other cars dont even come close! - 1995 Acura Integra
  By Jeremy - December 12 - 1:43 pm

  Ever since I owned this, Ive had nothing but fun and no problems as in other cars. Its 13 years old and people all the time ask me about it and looks brand new. This is built solid as far as the engine goes. As long as you maintain it, change oil, timing belt and keep up on rust when it happens, they last forever it seems. I cant even look at new cars today to buy since nothing even attracts me. This thing drives like new and has pickup that is awesome. Im not a racer by any means but this car is fast, fun and problem-free if you do work yourself and keep it maintained. For 166k on it and looking and driving like a new car, I have no need to buy anything else.

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  Post Mortem - 1990 Acura Integra
  By Chris - November 11 - 2:38 am

  With no A/C, a failed power seatbelt and shorting panel lights, I blew a hole in a good engine by ignoring a blinking oil lamp after 235,000 and 18 years. Sure I had drink stains from door-mounted cup holders, could never see the low fuel light in the sun, and - gee - just replaced the master cylinder this year and the gasket last. Id bought my first car brand new after college, and she treated me far better than any chick in SoCal ever did. Got better mileage of late than the Cobalt I just rented. Thank you, Acura.

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  Best car in the world! - 1995 Acura Integra
  By Katie - October 21 - 9:29 pm

  The Acura Integra was my dream car and I bought one the moment I had the chance. When I got my Integra it was already 8 years old and had 78k miles on it. I never had any issues with the car, it was only in the shop for maintenance and brake pads at approx 130k miles. Every time I drove my car I felt like I was a race car driver and I have the speeding tickets to prove it! If youre planning on buying an Integra and dont like to drive fast, please find another car. It needs to be driven fast or it wont feel loved :) My baby was just totaled a week ago and now Im looking for another car with more room for my dogs and cant find anything with reviews as good as the Integra.

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  Awesome Reliability - 1996 Acura Integra
  By Kriss - October 7 - 11:29 am

  Excellent car. It is reliable, fun to drive. I have 150k on it and only had to perform minor maintenance - wheel bearing, AC motor, and cooling fan motor.