2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2023 Acura Integra

Acura aimed for a cohesive design language across its lineup, seen prominently in the 2023 Integra. This vehicle effortlessly mirrored the signature looks of the larger TLX sedan and the RDX and MDX crossovers with its distinctive pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines. The design gave it a familial resemblance that observers could easily recognize.

The introduction of the Integra marked the end of the ILX compact sedan, a practical move since the sedan market was dwindling. Positioned as a distinct offering, the new Integra featured a more versatile five-door liftback design, reminiscent of the third-generation Integra, which ended its run in 2001. Design details like the embossed “Integra” name on the car’s exterior and a wide track for a planted look, gave the vehicle a unique stance. Acura offered the 2023 Integra in three trims: base (Integra), A-Spec, and A-Spec with Technology, with varying wheel sizes—17-inch alloys on the base and 18-inch Shark Gray wheels on the A-Spec.

Inside, the Integra bore a resemblance to the Honda Civic, maintaining cost efficiency without feeling like a mere re-skin. Features included honeycomb grilles covering the climate control vents and tactile, knurled metal finishes on the HVAC system’s controls. The 9-inch color touchscreen in the A-Spec with Technology trim, along with a thin, comfortable steering wheel and excellent front visibility, enhanced the interior experience. However, rearward visibility left something to be desired.

While the Integra’s microsuede upholstery in higher trims was ideal for keeping the driver in place, it lacked breathability, necessitating a craving for ventilated seats on hot days. Despite its premium status, ventilated seats were not available. Overall, the Integra didn’t match the bespoke refinement of luxury competitors like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz but was exceptionally well put together.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid exuded an air of elegance that could easily be mistaken for a more expensive luxury sedan. During its test run in New York’s Hudson Valley, the vehicle turned heads and garnered numerous compliments. With lines reminiscent of the Audi A7, the Accord blended sophistication with its inherent identity.

Stretching nearly three inches longer than previous models, the Accord’s exterior received upgrades such as a more upright front grille and updated LED lighting. These changes, combined with its elongated and flowing roofline tapering to the trunk, created a visually striking silhouette.

Priced from around $38,435 including destination fees, the Accord Touring offered a selection of seven exterior colors and rode on 19-inch alloy wheels with black accents. Inside, the Accord adopted a dashboard design from Honda’s Civic and CR-V models. The honeycomb mesh trim that hid the air vents and the strategically placed controls for the temperature and multimedia added an upscale feel. A new traditional gear shift lever replaced the previous button-based system, providing a more intuitive operation.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Amazon Alexa, wireless device charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accompanied the top-tier Touring trim’s luxurious features. The interior, highlighted by comfortable seating and generous legroom in the rear, offered ample space, though rear headroom was slightly constrained by the sleek roofline design.

For the first time, Acura equipped the Integra with a turbocharged engine—a lively 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo, generating 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed manual transmission, available only on the A-Spec with Technology trim, benefited from rev-matching technology, ensuring smooth downshifts. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) was standard on lower trims.

The driving experience was enhanced with features like automatic stop/start and automatic brake hold, which made city driving more convenient. The Integra’s brakes and suspension provided a sporty yet comfortable ride, and its handling was impressive despite being front-wheel drive (FWD). The variable-ratio electric power-steering system offered a natural feel on highways and sharp responsiveness in corners.

Three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—plus an individual mode, allowed customization of the driving experience, with Sport mode noticeably stiffening the adaptive dampers and adding weight to the steering.

Every 2023 Accord Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front wheels via a CVT. Despite lacking the all-wheel drive (AWD) option available in competitors like the Nissan Altima, the Accord’s seamless switching between electric and gas power ensured a smooth drive, with enough oomph for highway merges and passing.

The suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections without being overly firm, providing a balanced ride. The six-level regenerative braking system allowed for fine-tuning, enhancing driver comfort. Agile handling and easy maneuverability, even in tight parking spots, contributed to a relaxing driving experience.

The practical liftback design of the 2023 Integra provided considerable cargo space with 24.3 cubic feet available behind the rear seats. However, the high lift-over height of the trunk could be a challenge, especially for shorter individuals or for loading heavy items. Despite this, the Integra’s spacious and comfortable interior made it a commendable day-to-day vehicle.

The front seats featured a logical dashboard layout, convenient cupholders, and decent storage options. Rear legroom was satisfactory for average-sized adults, though headroom could be tight for taller passengers due to the sloped roofline. The back seats offered soft cushions, contributing to overall passenger comfort.

The Accord’s interior borrowed elements from the Civic and CR-V, including a strip of honeycomb mesh trim hiding the air vents, and intuitive temperature controls with physical buttons. The Touring trim featured heated and ventilated seats, enhancing comfort.

An updated traditional gearshift improved usability over the previous button-based system, and the low load floor of the trunk provided 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space, making it easy to load bulky items without straining the back.

Front seats were redesigned for better support, providing comfort during long drives. Rear legroom and shoulder room were generous, though headroom suffered slightly due to the car’s sleek roofline. Still, the Accord Hybrid accommodated passengers more comfortably than competitors like the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

All Integra models came with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB-A port, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Technology Package added a 9-inch color touchscreen, a head-up display, and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Matched with a wireless charging pad, this created a wire-free environment.

Moreover, the A-Spec with Technology trim introduced additional USB-C and USB-A ports and Acura’s ELS Studio 3D premium audio system. This 16-speaker setup delivered exceptional sound quality, particularly enhancing the top-tier trim’s appeal.

The base non-hybrid Accord featured a 7-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument display. Upgrading to the Accord Hybrid added a 12.3-inch touchscreen that was user-friendly with intuitive menus and easy-to-navigate graphics.

The Touring trim’s tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, “Hey Google” virtual assistant, Amazon Alexa, a head-up display, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. All of these advanced tech features justified the price tag of the top-tier model.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a high bar for standard safety features, thanks to its relationship with the Honda Civic. Standard equipment included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, and more. The A-Spec with Technology added low-speed braking control, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Despite offering a manual transmission, the Integra didn’t skimp on safety features, a notable advantage. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it five stars overall in crash tests.

The 2023 Accord came equipped with a comprehensive suite of active safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a rear-seat reminder, part of the Honda Sensing bundle. The Touring trim added a multi-angle rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional, although reasonably priced at $550. The Accord received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), scoring “Good” in all crash tests.