2023 Subaru WRX vs 2023 Acura Integra

The 2023 Acura Integra was designed with a cohesive aesthetic that aligned with Acura's broader vehicle lineup, featuring a pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines. This design allowed it to fit seamlessly with the larger TLX sedan and the RDX and MDX crossovers. The Integra replaced the ILX compact sedan, offering a five-door liftback design that distinguished it from its predecessor. The vehicle's wide track and long wheelbase gave it a solid, planted look, while the embossed "Integra" name on the front-left and rear-right corners paid homage to its third-generation predecessor. Inside, the Integra shared some similarities with the Honda Civic, but maintained its unique identity with features like honeycomb grilles and a 9-inch color touchscreen in the A-Spec-with-Technology trim. The interior offered a mix of comfort and practicality, though it lacked the bespoke refinement of its German competitors.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, on the other hand, moved away from its Impreza roots, adopting a distinct design that set it apart from the base Impreza. The WRX featured a wide-body look with box fender flares and body cladding reminiscent of the Subaru Crosstrek and Outback. Its signature hood scoop remained functional, feeding air to the intercooler. The WRX's exterior styling conveyed its performance-oriented nature, with a tuner aesthetic that fit Subaru's design theme. Inside, the WRX offered a basic yet durable interior, with GT models featuring Recaro Performance Design front seats and Ultrasuede upholstery. The interior was comfortable and supportive, with red contrast stitching adding a touch of flair to the mostly black cabin.

The 2023 Acura Integra marked a first for the model with its turbocharged engine, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder that delivered 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed manual transmission in the A-Spec with Technology trim, while lower trims came with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The manual transmission featured automatic rev-matching technology, making downshifting smooth and effortless. The Integra's suspension provided a sporty ride, and its handling was impressive for a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The variable-ratio electric power-steering system offered a natural feel on highways and sharp responsiveness in corners. The Integra also featured three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—plus an individual mode for personalized settings.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine, produced 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This placed it between the Honda Civic Si and Civic Type R in terms of output. The WRX came with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) branded as the Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT). The CVT offered quick responses and simulated gear shifts, though some found the fake shift shock unnecessary. The WRX's all-wheel-drive system provided excellent grip, and its electronically controlled dampers and drive mode select system offered multiple settings for steering, engine, and other components. While the WRX was a competent performer, its driving experience was described as muted, lacking the exuberance of some competitors.

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 or bulky items challenging. The interior was spacious and comfortable for front passengers, with a logical dashboard layout and smartly placed storage options. Rear passengers had decent legroom, but headroom was limited due to the steeply sloped roofline. Despite these limitations, the Integra's interior was well-designed for everyday use.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, as a compact sedan, provided practicality with a bit more front headroom and legroom than some competitors. However, its 12.5 cubic feet of trunk space was less than that of rivals like the Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen Jetta GLI. The WRX featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and standard roof-rack mounts, though Subaru did not provide a cargo-space number with the seat folded. The WRX's low window-sill lines and thin roof pillars offered excellent outward visibility, but the cabin lacked a convenient place to store a smartphone, which was a surprising oversight for a modern vehicle.

The 2023 Acura Integra came equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster as standard. The Technology package added a 9-inch color touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and Acura's ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers. The A-Spec with Technology trim offered a comprehensive suite of tech features, making it a standout in its segment.

The 2023 Subaru WRX featured the Subaru Starlink infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Base models had dual 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims received an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The larger screen provided clear icons and text, though physical buttons and knobs were missed for their tactile feedback. The interface was generally user-friendly, but the SiriusXM satellite radio required multiple steps to operate, and the system took a while to load on startup.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a high standard for safety equipment, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) across all trim levels. Features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The A-Spec with Technology trim added low-speed braking control and parking sensors. The Integra received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Subaru WRX came with Subaru's EyeSight safety system, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, forward collision warning, and more, but only on CVT-equipped models. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking. The WRX received top "Good" scores in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.