2023 Acura Integra vs 2024 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Acura Integra was a testament to Acura's cohesive design language, seamlessly fitting into the brand's lineup with its pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines. It replaced the ILX compact sedan, offering a more modern five-door liftback design reminiscent of the third-generation Integra. The car's wide track and long wheelbase gave it a solid, planted look, while the embossed "Integra" name added a nostalgic touch. Inside, the Integra shared some similarities with the Honda Civic, but with enough unique features to maintain its premium feel. The interior boasted a 9-inch color touchscreen, a thin steering wheel, and excellent visibility, although rearward visibility was somewhat limited. The A-Spec trims featured microsuede upholstery, which, while stylish, lacked breathability on hot days.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, despite its last redesign in 2019, maintained a modern and luxurious appearance with its swooping lines and scalloped bodywork. The front featured squinting headlights with LED turn signals, adding to its dramatic and expensive look. Available in both sedan and hatchback forms, the hatchback was particularly praised for its aesthetics and practicality. Our test vehicle, a Turbo Premium Plus trim, impressed with its material quality and value, especially when compared to luxury brands. The interior was adorned with red leather upholstery, soft leather trimmings, and a black leather-wrapped steering wheel, creating a beautifully designed and furnished driver’s seat.

The 2023 Acura Integra introduced a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Honda Civic Si, provided lively performance, especially when paired with the six-speed manual transmission available on the A-Spec with Technology trim. The manual transmission featured short throws and automatic rev-matching, making gear changes smooth and engaging. The Integra's suspension offered a sporty yet comfortable ride, and its handling was impressive for a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The variable-ratio electric power-steering system provided a natural feel on highways and sharp responsiveness in corners. The Integra also offered three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. The Turbo Premium Plus trim, with its turbo engine and all-wheel drive, delivered impressive performance in various driving scenarios. The Mazda3's chassis handled corners well, despite its torsion beam suspension, and the steering was tight and precise. The car's low ground clearance limited its suitability for snowy conditions, but its performance on back roads was exceptional. Fuel economy varied depending on the drivetrain and engine, with the turbocharged models offering slightly lower efficiency.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design provided 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 interior offered ample space for front passengers, with a logical dashboard layout and convenient storage options. Rear passengers had decent legroom, but headroom was limited due to the sloped roofline. The rear seat cushions were notably soft, enhancing comfort for passengers.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive with some rivals but less than the Honda Civic Hatchback. Total cargo space reached 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Rear passenger space was limited, with tight legroom and headroom, making it less suitable for taller adults. The sedan version offered even less trunk space at 13.2 cubic feet. The hatchback's design created significant blind spots, affecting rearward visibility.

The 2023 Acura Integra came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Technology package added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display, and a wireless charging pad. The ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers provided excellent sound quality, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a rotary controller for its infotainment system, which some drivers found safer than a touchscreen. The system included an 8.8-inch display on most trims, with a 10.25-inch screen available on higher trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity on select trims. A wireless charging pad and Mazda Connect system with Wi-Fi, remote services, and navigation were also available. The Bose stereo system offered good sound quality, although the infotainment system required some acclimation.

The 2023 Acura Integra offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 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 rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 also boasted a strong safety record, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus trim added Cruising and Traffic Support for enhanced traffic management.