2023 Acura Integra vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla was an effort from Toyota to shed its “boring” reputation, much like its recent counterparts. This model, launched as a hatchback in 2019 and a sedan in 2020, sported a more extroverted exterior design with aggressive LED headlights and a wide grille. Though it couldn't quite outdo the quirky styling of the Hyundai Elantra or achieve the cohesiveness of the Honda Civic, it had its moments. The SE and XSE trims boasted an assertive front fascia, making the Corolla seem like it wore a mouth guard, while Nightshade Editions were blacked-out for a stealthy look, and Apex Editions had a subtle body kit with bronze accents and lightweight 18-inch wheels that shaved off 2.2 pounds per wheel. In the distinctive Cement (gray) color, the SE Apex Edition gave off a “Fast and Furious” vibe, which definitely caught attention.

The Corolla interior had a simplistic charm, though lacking the flair of the exterior. Fit and finish were up to Toyota’s expected standards, but the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and fingerprints. The SE Apex Edition’s interior mirrored the standard SE, including the light gray cloth upholstery that seemed inclined to show dirt easily. SofTex leatherette was available on some trims, offering a more luxurious feel.

Turning to the 2023 Acura Integra, Acura pushed for a design language that screamed family lineage, fitting seamlessly with its TLX sedan and RDX and MDX crossovers. The Integra’s pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlight design, and sharply creased character lines indicated its place in Acura’s lineup. Differing from the ILX, which it replaced due to waning sedan sales, the Integra adopted a five-door liftback design, imbuing it with a modern yet nostalgic touch reminiscent of the third-generation Integra.

Available in base, A-Spec, and A-Spec with Technology trims, the Integra featured different wheel designs, ranging from 17-inch alloys on the base to 18-inch Shark Gray wheels on higher trims. Its distinctive rear was highlighted by a decklid spoiler, dual exhausts, and sizable taillights. Inside, the Integra balanced cost-effective design elements with a premium feel, exemplified by its metal-finished HVAC controls and honeycomb vent grilles. The driver enjoyed a thin, comfortable steering wheel and excellent visibility due to thin A-pillars, though rearward visibility lagged. A-Spec trims featured microsuede upholstery, providing grip but lacking breathability, and the lack of ventilated seats was a missed opportunity.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine choices based on the trim. The Corolla L, LE, and XLE were powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque, while the SE and XSE versions got a boost from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder cranking out 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE Apex Editions used the same 2.0-liter engine with a sport exhaust system, enhancing the driving experience.

A CVT was mandatory with the 1.8-liter engine, but the 2.0-liter could be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox on the SE and SE Apex Edition models. All Corollas were front-wheel drive, but an AWD option was expected in 2023. The manual transmission enhanced the SE Apex Edition’s sportiness, paired with model-specific suspension upgrades like unique coil springs, solid stabilizer bars, and increased spring rates that lowered the car by 0.6 inches.

Though the SE Apex Edition handled corners with enthusiasm, thanks to these tweaks, it wasn’t a full-blown performance model since it didn’t have significant improvements in tires, brakes, or engine power. The ride became stiffer, making it less comfortable, but driving enthusiasts might find this trade-off acceptable. Standard Corollas remained more comfort-oriented, without the thrills for enthusiasts.

On the other hand, the 2023 Acura Integra introduced a turbocharged engine for the first time, a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder with 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. This engine paired beautifully with Acura’s six-speed manual transmission, featuring automatic rev-matching for smooth downshifts, adding an engaging driving experience.

The A-Spec with Technology trim offered the manual transmission, whereas other trims came with a CVT. The Integra’s manual transmission included features like automatic stop/start and brake hold, simplifying driving in traffic despite the manual gearbox.

The Integra’s braking and suspension system provided a sporty yet comfortable ride. Its wide track and long wheelbase offered stability through corners, making it surprisingly agile for a front-wheel-drive car. The variable-ratio electric power-steering system adjusted the steering feel based on the wheel’s position, offering natural highway feel and sharp responses in corners.

The three driving modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—plus an individual mode catered to different driving preferences. Sport mode especially impacted the adaptive dampers and steering feel, catering to enthusiasts.

While Toyota hadn’t released specific headroom and legroom figures for the 2022 Corolla, it felt roomier with a low beltline aiding visibility, though the steeply raked windshield created forward visibility challenges. The driver’s seating adjustment aimed to optimize positioning, but long-legged drivers might have found knee space lacking. Although the squishy seat cushions provided comfort, they lacked support.

The Corolla sedan’s cargo space was 13.1 cubic feet, less than competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. However, its 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat and an optional power trunk release added practicality. The sleek interior design limited the storage space for small items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders struggling to hold anything beyond cups.

The 2023 Acura Integra, with its liftback design, was more practical for daily use but presented challenges due to the high lift-over height, making loading heavy items difficult. Once inside, the Integra offered 24.3 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats, significantly more than the Corolla.

Inside, the Integra offered smartly placed cupholders, a practical tray for phones, and ample center console storage. Rear passengers enjoyed decent legroom, though headroom was limited due to the steeply sloped roofline. Taller passengers might have found headspace lacking but were cushioned comfortably.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla lagged behind in infotainment technology. It came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base L model, while higher trims received an 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, alongside a six-speaker audio system. Certain trims offered a nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system.

The interface was user-friendly, although some tasks, like selecting a radio station, were cumbersome. The graphics seemed outdated compared to competitors like Hyundai and Kia, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback. Moreover, it didn’t offer advanced features like Hyundai’s Digital Key.

Conversely, the 2023 Acura Integra loaded more advanced tech. All models included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, at least one USB-A port, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Technology package further boosted the capabilities with a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display, and even more charging ports.

The A-Spec with Technology trim stood out with a wireless charging pad and the remarkable ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which featured 16 speakers, drastically enhancing the audio experience compared to the standard 8-speaker system.

Both the Corolla sedan and hatchback earned the highest IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” award for 2022 with top "Good" scores in all crash tests, though headlight ratings varied from “Acceptable” to “Marginal” depending on the trim. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Corolla five stars overall, with high marks in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests.

The Corolla also had a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features through Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available but not standard on all trims.

For the 2023 Acura Integra, advanced safety features came standard across all trims. Thanks to its relationship with the Honda Civic, the Integra included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, a rear-seat reminder, hill-start assist, and automatic brake hold.

The A-Spec with Technology added low-speed braking control, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Importantly, all safety features were available regardless of the transmission type, unlike some competitors.

The 2023 Integra received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though IIHS had not tested it yet.