2024 Acura Integra vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured rakish headlights framing a large, menacing grille, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. While the sedan had conventional proportions, the hatchback boasted a daring and futuristic design, with rear angles curving up around the rear window and doors. Inside, the clean and futuristic design continued, with a simple yet elegant cabin. The infotainment system rose organically from the dash, and the conventional shifter design was a welcome touch. The climate controls were easy to use, and the steering wheel, though cluttered with controls, had an elegant design.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S stood out with its widebody appearance and aggressive detailing, sharing many components with the Honda Civic Type R. The redesigned front end, wider track, and aerodynamic aids gave it a distinctive look. The rear featured a lower body kit, rear fender flares, a rear lip spoiler, and a substantial rear diffuser panel. Inside, the Integra Type S had a similar layout to the Integra A-Spec, with Type S emblems and Ultrasuede seat inserts. The dashboard trim matched the interior color, and the digital instrumentation and infotainment displays had unique graphics.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. It had a six-speed automatic transmission, with AWD available. A manual transmission was also available on FWD Premium models. The optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The turbo engine provided a fantastic sound and engaging driving experience, with well-weighted steering and precise handling. The transmission held gears longer in Sport mode, and the brake feel was akin to a hardcore sports car.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S shared its turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with the Honda Civic Type R, producing 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It had a six-speed manual gearbox with downshift rev matching and a helical-type limited-slip differential. The suspension, steering, and brakes were also shared with the Civic Type R, but the Integra Type S had a softer, more compliant ride. The car handled well on various roads, with minimal torque steer and excellent grip from the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. However, it was loud on the highway, and the steering could be sharper.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet. The rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom, making it suitable for front-seat use only. The front seating area had a decently sized center console compartment, though the lid was frustrating to use. The ergonomics were helpful, and the cupholders were sizable.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S had front sport seats with aggressive lower bolsters and 12-way power adjustment for the driver. The rear seats offered decent legroom but lacked thigh support and had a slouch-promoting backrest angle. Storage was limited, with no air conditioning vents or USB charging ports in the rear. The sportback body style provided a 24.3 cubic-foot cargo area, which could be doubled by folding the back seats.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial in the center console. The system was clumsy and unintuitive, with a steep learning curve. Standard features included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Upgrades included navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, which had great sound quality.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S featured a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch infotainment screen. The system was simple to use, with a touchscreen, volume knob, tuning buttons, and a Home button. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D surround-sound system provided good sound quality, though it struggled with road noise. The car also had a 5.3-inch head-up display.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive headlights, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, and the infotainment system's layout was a safety concern.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S came with AcuraWatch, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The car also had ten airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. However, the adaptive cruise control lacked stop-and-go capabilities, and the automatic emergency braking system could only reduce speed before impact. The standard Integra received top safety ratings, which boded well for the Type S.