2023 Acura Integra vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, despite boasting all-new body panels, retained a familiar look that might have been hard to distinguish from its predecessor for non-enthusiasts. The new GTI was longer and lower, maintaining a 103.6-inch wheelbase, which contributed to a stable silhouette while preserving its nimble handling. The front end featured a smooth hood, a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake, and a signature red accent line between the LED headlights, with an optional light bar for added drama. Aerodynamic enhancements included redesigned side-view mirrors, underbody paneling, and revised wheel-arch linings. The GTI came with red brake calipers and wheel sizes varying by trim, with 18-inch alloys on S and SE trims and 19-inch wheels on the Autobahn trim. Color options ranged from staple shades like silver, black, and white to more vibrant hues like Atlantic Blue Metallic and Kings Red Metallic, with Pomelo Yellow Metallic exclusive to the Autobahn trim. Inside, the GTI featured plaid cloth seats on S and SE trims, with Vienna leather available on SE and standard on Autobahn, and a classic golf-ball shifter knob for manual transmission models.

The 2023 Acura Integra seamlessly integrated into Acura's lineup with its pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines, aligning it with the TLX sedan and RDX and MDX crossovers. Replacing the ILX compact sedan, the Integra adopted a five-door liftback design, a nod to the third-generation Integra. The car's wide track and long wheelbase gave it a solid, planted look. Available in base, A-Spec, and A-Spec with Technology trims, the Integra featured 17-inch alloy wheels on the base model and 18-inch Shark Gray wheels on the A-Spec. The rear end was distinctive with a decklid spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, and large taillights. Inside, the Integra shared some similarities with the Honda Civic but maintained a unique feel with honeycomb grilles on the climate control vents and high-quality HVAC controls. The A-Spec with Technology trim included a 9-inch color touchscreen, a thin steering wheel, and excellent exterior visibility, though rearward visibility was less impressive. Microsuede upholstery on A-Spec trims provided good grip but lacked breathability, and the Integra's overall refinement fell short of German competitors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, introduced in 1983, evolved from a 90-horsepower hot hatch to a 241-horsepower performance machine in 2022. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the GTI delivered 273 pound-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm, making it a joy to drive on curving roads. The engine, an updated EA888, featured integrated exhaust headers for better heat management. The GTI offered a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG) with paddle shifters, both sending power to the front wheels. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined for the manual, with a slight uptick for the automatic. The GTI's retuned suspension, lighter front assembly, and stiffer rear springs enhanced handling, supported by electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential and electronic stability control. The top-tier Autobahn trim added DCC adaptive damping, capable of 200 adjustments per second, for even better performance.

The 2023 Acura Integra, for the first time, featured a turbocharged engine—a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder producing 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The A-Spec with Technology trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential, while lower trims came with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The Integra's manual transmission benefited from automatic rev-matching technology, making downshifting smooth and easy. The car also featured automatic stop/start and automatic brake hold, adding convenience to the driving experience. The Integra's brakes and suspension provided a sporty yet comfortable ride, with a wide track and long wheelbase enhancing cornering capabilities. The variable-ratio electric power-steering system adjusted assist based on steering angle, offering natural highway feel and sharp cornering response. The Integra included three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—plus an individual mode, with Sport mode stiffening the adaptive dampers and adding steering weight.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI balanced performance and practicality with 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 34.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The driver-centric interior featured a center stack angled toward the driver and a unique "light and sight" panel for headlight and defogging adjustments. Rear legroom was surprisingly generous, making the GTI suitable for family use despite its compact size.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design offered practicality with 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the high lift-over height made loading heavy items challenging. The front seats featured a logical dashboard layout, cupholders, a phone tray, and a center console cubby. Rear legroom was decent, but headroom was limited for taller passengers due to the steeply sloped roofline. The rear seat cushions were notably soft, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a 10.25-inch digital driver information display with customizable gauge layouts and color options linked to the car's 30 ambient lighting profiles. The infotainment system included an 8.25-inch touchscreen on the S trim and a 10-inch display with navigation on SE and Autobahn trims, supporting Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth. The SE and Autobahn trims also offered a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. Volkswagen's Car-Net system provided various connected services, some at additional costs, including remote access, emergency assistance, and WiFi capability.

The 2023 Acura Integra came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a USB-A port, along with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Technology package upgraded the touchscreen to a 9-inch unit, added a head-up display, and enabled wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with a wireless charging pad. The top-tier trim also included a USB-C port for the front seats and two USB-A ports for the rear seats. The ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers provided exceptional sound quality, far surpassing the standard 8-speaker system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured IQ.Drive, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including Travel Assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs. All trims included Park Distance Control, with the Autobahn trim adding Park Assist for automatic parking. Neither NHTSA nor IIHS had crash-tested the 2022 GTI at the time of review.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a new standard for safety equipment, offering a comprehensive suite of ADAS across all trims. Standard features 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, rear-seat reminder, hill-start assist, and automatic brake hold. The A-Spec with Technology trim added low-speed braking control, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Integra received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though IIHS had not yet tested it.