2024 Acura Integra vs 2024 Honda Civic

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S presented a striking appearance with its widebody design and aggressive detailing. A redesign of the front end set it apart from other Integra models, accommodating a significant 3.1-inch front track width increase. The 19-inch wheels, aerodynamics aimed at reducing high-speed lift, and advanced cooling for both engine and brakes further enhanced its performance credentials. The rear track was widened by 1.9 inches, and the car featured a lower body kit and rear fender flares visually tying its rear haunches to the flared front fenders.

Additional aesthetic elements included a rear lip spoiler and rear diffuser panel, and the Integra boasted a distinctive triple-outlet exhaust system that produced a resonant soundtrack in Sport+ mode. Available in a single specification level, buyers could choose from an array of dealer-installed upgrades like Gloss Copper wheels and a carbon fiber decklid spoiler. The interior closely mirrored the Integra A-Spec's, with the addition of Type S emblems and Ultrasuede seat inserts.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si, meanwhile, maintained a more subdued, stealth-mode styling that had characterized early hot hatches. The Civic Si’s subtle changes included LED headlights, a unique upper grille insert, a gloss-black lip spoiler on the trunk lid, dual exhaust outlets, and 18-inch wheels with a matte-black finish. Inside, it was more expressive with red seat and door panel inserts and matching accents and stitching. Tech and trim features like a metal mesh strip hiding the dashboard air vents and metal pedal covers added to the sporty feel.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S was engineered for high performance, sharing much with the Civic Type R's components. It housed a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 320 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque between 2,600 and 4,000 rpm. This engine was mated to a six-speed manual gearbox featuring downshift rev matching and a limited-slip differential. With a sophisticated suspension system, including adjustable damping and dual-axis front struts, the Integra Type S offered a compliant ride suitable for both spirited and everyday driving. Completing its performance package were 13.8-inch ventilated front disc brakes, 12-inch rear discs, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.

In testing, the Integra Type S excelled on winding California roads, proving agile and responsive with minimal torque steer or understeer. However, interior road noise was prominent, and fuel efficiency was on the lower side, averaging about 21.7 mpg. Its small 12.4-gallon fuel tank limited real-world range to roughly 269 miles per tank.

In comparison, the 2024 Honda Civic Si sported a 200-horsepower version of the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching. This setup included a lightweight flywheel and a limited-slip differential to manage power delivery. The Civic Si featured larger brakes and specialized struts to enhance steering and suspension performance. Despite having less power than the Integra, the Civic Si delivered engaging driving dynamics, particularly with its sporty 18-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 tires and adaptive steering.

The Civic Si was docile in everyday settings yet capable on challenging roads like Mulholland Highway, where it impressed with sharp steering and tenacious grip. However, a notable drawback was its brake performance in high-stress situations, where overheating caused vibrations. In general driving, the Civic Si achieved a commendable 29.5 mpg, close to the EPA's estimate of 31 mpg combined.

Interior space and comfort were well-thought-out in both models but served different purposes. The Acura Integra Type S featured sport seats with aggressive lower bolsters and power adjustability for the driver, though the front passenger seat lacked similar luxury. Rear-seat passengers received decent legroom and foot room but dealt with a cushion that lacked thigh support and a slouch-promoting backrest. The hatchback design of the Integra allowed for 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable by folding down the rear seats, providing substantial utility.

The Honda Civic Si, sporting cloth-wrapped sport seats, offered substantial support for spirited drives and a manual height adjuster for the driver's seat. However, entry and exit required some effort due to the car's lower stance. The rear seats were surprisingly roomy, with enough space for adults to sit comfortably, though they lacked USB ports and air vents. The Civic Si's trunk provided 14.4 cubic feet of storage, impressive for a compact sedan, with the ability to stow large items thanks to its 60/40 split-folding rear seats.

Technological offerings varied between the two vehicles. The 2024 Acura Integra Type S came equipped with a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch infotainment screen, which were customizable and user-friendly. It supported Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, HD Radio, and a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D sound system. However, our test revealed some hiccups with smartphone pairing and inconsistent wireless charging. A 5.3-inch head-up display added convenience, showing relevant driving information at a glance.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, HD Radio, and basic HondaLink services. Pairing a smartphone was seamless, and the system's usability was enhanced by straightforward controls and physical buttons. The 12-speaker Bose audio system delivered a robust sound experience, benefitting from Honda's collaboration with the audio company to ensure optimal speaker placement and acoustics.

Safety systems were comprehensive in both vehicles. The Acura Integra Type S 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. However, due to its manual transmission, the adaptive cruise control lacked stop-and-go capabilities. The car's structure included Acura's Advanced Compatibility Engineering for dissipating crash energy, and although specific crash-test ratings for the Type S were unavailable, the standard Integra performed well in safety tests.

Honda's Civic Si was equipped with a standard suite of Honda Sensing ADAS, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features included traffic sign recognition and a driver monitoring system. However, the Civic Si's ADAS performance in real-world driving was less than ideal, with issues like overzealous lane-keeping assist and delayed adaptive cruise control responses detracting from the overall driving experience. Safety ratings for the Civic were strong, with the NHTSA awarding five stars overall and the IIHS recognizing it as a Top Safety Pick despite some minor evaluation downgrades.