2023 Acura Integra vs 2023 Hyundai Elantra

The 2023 Acura Integra made an impression with its cohesive design language. Featuring a pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines, the Integra was instantly recognizable as part of the Acura family. Acura shelved the ILX compact sedan, making way for the Integra with a five-door liftback design. This model had embossed “Integra” names strategically placed on its body, and a wide track contributed to its solid, planted look. Its interior showed enough similarities to the Honda Civic to keep costs manageable while maintaining a premium feel. However, the Integra lacked ventilated seats, a notable downside.

Hyundai's 2023 Elantra, on the other hand, offered a range of trims, from the budget-friendly SE to the upscale Limited. The Elantra’s exterior styling was somewhat controversial but brought undeniable originality to the segment. Inside, it featured a light gray and black Melange with Gray leather upholstery, complemented by ambient lighting and luxurious touches. Despite having some hard plastic on the upper door panels, the cabin's overall ambiance was upscale, creating a more premium feel than its price tag suggested.

The 2023 Acura Integra broke new ground with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a six-speed manual transmission in the higher trims or a continuously variable automatic transmission for lower trims. With features like automatic rev-matching, automatic stop/start, and automatic brake hold, the Integra delivered an engaging driving experience. It excelled in handling with its wide track and long wheelbase, offering a sporty yet stable ride.

Contrastingly, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine provided 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Despite modest performance specs, the Elantra impressed with its driving dynamics and achieved close to its EPA fuel economy rating of 34 mpg. It offered a compliant ride, suitable steering effort levels, and surprising composure in spirited driving conditions. The Elantra N Line and Elantra N models provided more spirited performance for those seeking more excitement.

The 2023 Acura Integra’s liftback design offered practical cargo space with 24.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats. However, the high lift-over height could be inconvenient for loading heavy items. The front seats provided comfort and smartly placed storage solutions, while rear-seat passengers faced limited headroom but enjoyed soft seat cushions.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra emphasized practicality without sacrificing style. With 14.2 cubic feet of trunk space, it efficiently accommodated full-size suitcases. The Elantra Limited featured a comfortable, power-adjustable driver’s seat and various convenience features like dual-zone climate control and heated front seats. While rear-seat comfort was limited by a reclined backrest and absence of amenities like USB ports, the overall space was adequate for a family of four.

All Acura Integra models were equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The A-Spec with Technology trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and Acura’s premium ELS Studio 3D audio system with 16 speakers. This trim level scored highly for its comprehensive tech features.

For 2023, Hyundai expanded the availability of 10.25-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment screens in the Elantra, including in the SEL Convenience package and N Line trim. The Elantra Limited featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio, among other connectivity features. While it required a wired connection for smartphone integration, the system was user-friendly with robust voice recognition. The Bose audio system, however, did not meet high expectations.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a high standard with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The A-Spec with Technology trim added low-speed braking control and parking sensors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Integra five stars overall in crash tests.

Hyundai’s 2023 Elantra also boasted an extensive list of standard safety features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver monitoring system. The Elantra Limited included additional systems like cyclist detection, intersection assist, and Highway Driving Assist, performing commendably in real-world tests. The Elantra secured a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.