2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2023 Acura Integra

In the past, Honda saw an opportunity to distinguish the 2022 Civic Hatchback by appealing to enthusiasts of the hatchback body style—a market segment several manufacturers had abandoned. Distinguished by styling cues similar to the 2022 Civic sedan, the hatchback had its unique features, such as a distinctive grille pattern and exclusive wheel designs. Sport Touring trims featured sophisticated digital instrumentation and high-quality, tactile interior controls, though the Civic still showed a small misstep in its front-heavy visual balance. The 2023 Acura Integra, however, crafted a cohesive design that seamlessly matched the brand's other models like the TLX and RDX. Sporting a modern five-door liftback design and embossed "Integra" branding, the new Integra offered a solid and planted stance with its wide track and long wheelbase. Inside, the Integra shared similarities with the Civic but with noticeable enhancements like knurled metal-finished HVAC controls. The overall feel conveyed a higher level of refinement, distancing it from feeling like a mere re-skin of a mass-market car.

Performance-wise, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine choices. The base trims—LX and Sport—featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. While adequate, this powertrain was more about utility than thrill. The Sport variant particularly impressed when mated to a six-speed manual transmission, providing an enjoyable driving experience. Higher trims—EX-L and Sport Touring—were equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine delivered accessible power across a wide RPM range (1,700 to 4,500 rpm), making daily driving more satisfying. Handling was generally impressive, though all-season tires and brake performance revealed the car's limitations as a compliant daily driver rather than a high-performance machine. By comparison, the 2023 Acura Integra marked a first for the model: a turbocharged engine. The 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, shared with the Civic Si, produced 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Available exclusively in the A-Spec with Technology trim, the six-speed manual transmission, equipped with a limited-slip differential and rev-matching technology, provided a fantastic driving experience, making gear changes and downshifts seamless. The Integra’s handling benefitted from a firm suspension and adaptive dampers, offering a sportier yet reasonably comfortable ride. Its front-wheel-drive setup showed its prowess in handling, making it a standout in corners despite occasional cravings for an all-wheel-drive option for better traction in adverse weather.

Hatchbacks are synonymous with practicality, and the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback delivered. It offered a generous 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space, paired with a two-piece cargo shade for ease of loading. However, rear-seat functionality had limits; while comfortable, it lacked air vents, evoking mild discontent from passengers. The overall interior layout was well-executed, with comfortable seating for the driver and decent legroom for all. The 2023 Acura Integra also capitalized on a liftback design, offering 24.3 cubic feet of trunk space. However, the cargo floor height proved challenging for shorter individuals or those with heavy luggage. Interior comfort was high, with logical dashboard layout and practical storage spaces upfront. Compared side-by-side, the Civic slightly edged the Integra in cargo capacity but both vehicles maintained a strong focus on practical use with ample space for passengers and cargo.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback’s tech offerings varied by trim. Base models featured a 7-inch touchscreen with standard features like physical knobs and wired smartphone connectivity. The Sport Touring trim boasted a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless capabilities, a premium Bose audio system, and enhanced navigation. The 2023 Acura Integra started strong with standard tech like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Opting for the Technology package, one received a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and the superior ELS Studio 3D premium audio system. While both vehicles had competitive tech suites, the Integra’s higher-tier options provided an edge with its comprehensive technological advancements.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came equipped with Honda Sensing, featuring a range of driver aids like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and Traffic Jam Assist (exclusive to CVT models). A unique inclusion of the rear-seat reminder system and next-gen airbag designs aimed to improve safety further. The Civic’s overall safety performance was validated by a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS. The 2023 Acura Integra raised the standard by offering advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) across all trims, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition. Unique to the A-Spec with Technology trim were low-speed braking control and frontal and rear parking sensors. Impressively, these features were available with both manual and CVT models, a rarity in its class. While NHTSA awarded it a five-star rating, IIHS had not yet tested the model at the time.