2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Acura Integra

The 2023 Acura Integra was a modern embodiment of Acura's cohesive design language, featuring a pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines. It seamlessly fit into the Acura family alongside the TLX sedan and RDX and MDX crossovers. With the Integra's introduction, Acura retired the ILX compact sedan, acknowledging the market's shift away from traditional sedans. The Integra distinguished itself with a five-door liftback design, a nod to its third-generation predecessor, and a wide track that gave it a solid, planted appearance. Available in three trims—base, A-Spec, and A-Spec with Technology—the Integra offered performance all-season tires and distinctive rear-end features like a decklid spoiler and dual exhaust outlets. Inside, it 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. While it lacked the bespoke refinement of German competitors, the Integra was well-constructed and offered a satisfying driving experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, on the other hand, presented a more conservative design, typical of Volkswagen's approach to styling. While it lacked the symmetry and balance of previous generations, it remained visually inoffensive. The Jetta SEL trim, in particular, offered an upscale feel with ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, and a large power sunroof. The interior was reminiscent of the VW Group's Audi luxury brand, providing a sense of emotional value at a reasonable price. Despite its bland appearance, the Jetta's interior was functional and comfortable, with features like an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Jetta's spaciousness and practicality made it a suitable choice for families, with ample legroom and a generous trunk. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and rear air conditioning vents were absent.

The 2023 Acura Integra marked a significant departure from its predecessors by introducing a turbocharged engine for the first time. The 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, providing lively performance. The A-Spec with Technology trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching technology, enhancing the driving experience. The Integra's handling was impressive, thanks to its wide track and long wheelbase, and it featured a variable-ratio electric power-steering system that adjusted assist based on steering input. The car's suspension struck a balance between sportiness and comfort, and it offered three drive modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport. While front-wheel drive was the only option, the Integra's handling capabilities were commendable.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Jetta's performance was characterized by zippy acceleration and responsive steering, making it well-suited for urban and suburban driving. The SE and SEL trims came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which offered a Sport mode and manual shifting. However, the automatic transmission exhibited a noticeable delay in response, leading to occasional surges in acceleration. The Jetta's suspension was soft and compliant, providing a comfortable ride, and its handling was predictable and trustworthy. The Jetta SEL's all-season tires impressed with their grip and communication, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design contributed to its practicality, offering 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the lift-over height posed a challenge for loading heavy or bulky items. The interior was well-designed, with a logical dashboard layout, smartly placed cupholders, and a decently sized center console cubby. While front passengers enjoyed comfort and visibility, rear passengers faced limited headroom due to the steeply sloped roofline. The rear seat cushions were notably soft, providing a comfortable ride for passengers.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, on the other hand, offered a spacious interior that comfortably accommodated four adults, with the option to fit a fifth passenger for short trips. The Jetta's trunk was cavernous, providing 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly matching some midsize sedans. The SEL trim featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. While the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, the Jetta's higher seating position made entry and exit easy. The rear seat offered ample legroom and comfort, with heated rear seats as a rare feature in the segment. The Jetta's interior storage was generous, with a large center armrest bin, glove compartment, and door panel storage.

The 2023 Acura Integra came equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster as standard features. The A-Spec with Technology trim added a 9-inch color touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 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. Audiophiles appreciated the ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers, providing an exceptional audio experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. The infotainment system included proximity-sensing, knobs for stereo volume, and shortcut tiles for main system menus. While the system required more inputs for tuning the radio, it offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Jetta's Car-Net connected services provided a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote engine starting, and safe teen driver settings. The SEL trim included a Beats Audio premium sound system, though it was not as satisfying as previous Fender systems.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a new standard for safety equipment, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard across all trim levels. These included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, and more. 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 safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE and SEL came with the IQ.Drive package, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist, a semi-autonomous driving aid, performed well on challenging roads, while Emergency Assist could identify an unresponsive driver and bring the car to a safe stop. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Jetta's safety as Poor in a new moderate overlap frontal-impact crash test.