2024 Acura Integra vs 2024 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S stood out for its unique blend of sporty styling and aggressive detailing, marked by a widebody appearance and a thorough hardware upgrade derived from the Honda Civic Type R. The redesigned front end was unmistakable, featuring a new bumper, a substantial 3.1-inch increase in front track width, and 19-inch wheels aimed at high-speed performance. The rear track was similarly widened by 1.9 inches, complemented by a lower body kit, rear fender flares, and a rear lip spoiler, all culminating in the distinctive triple-outlet exhaust system that added a thrilling soundtrack in Sport+ mode. Inside, although the interior remained similar to the Integra A-Spec, Acura added touches like Type S emblems, Ultrasuede seat inserts, and unique graphics on the digital displays. However, while the front seats were comfortable and sport-focused, the rear seats and overall material quality left something to be desired for a vehicle approaching a $50,000 price tag.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, despite being last redesigned in 2019, boasted a modern and luxurious appearance. With swooping lines and intricately sculpted bodywork, it earned aesthetic comparisons to luxury cars. Front-end features included squinting headlights with LED turn signals and stylish lighting elements, enhancing its dramatic look. Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the sedan was considered less attractive, whereas the hatchback offered a better-looking design with more usable storage space. Test vehicle configurations showed the hatchback sporting red leather upholstery and high-quality materials throughout the interior, framing an overall ambiance that felt more high-end, especially with the Turbo Premium Plus trim.

The performance credentials of the 2024 Acura Integra Type S were nothing short of impressive. Sharing numerous components with the Honda Civic Type R, it featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission, and helical limited-slip differential. The car produced 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, ensuring a thrilling drive. In terms of driving dynamics, the Integra Type S offered a smoother ride compared to the Civic Type R, which was tuned for a more track-oriented experience. The adaptive damping system, 19-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and substantial Brembo brakes contributed to exceptional handling and control. Despite some minor drawbacks like cabin noise and occasional torque steer, the Integra Type S excelled on California’s winding roads, providing an engaging and satisfying drive.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 presented buyers with two engine options. Standard trims came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims, including the test vehicle Turbo Premium Plus, featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine producing up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine offered robust performance and seamless power delivery, enhanced by an intelligent all-wheel-drive system. While the Mazda3 swapped its former multi-link rear suspension for a torsion beam setup, it continued to handle corners with finesse, with the only noticeable unsettlement on rough surfaces or speed bumps. The steering provided a precise and tight feel, and the car's stiff suspension catered to enthusiastic driving, offering a rewarding experience on twisty back roads.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S balanced sporty design with practicality. Inside, the front sport seats offered 12-way power adjustment, heating, and Ultrasuede inserts, though the front passenger seat lacked power adjustability. Rear-seat passengers found decent legroom and foot room, albeit with limited thigh support and slouch-promoting backrest angles. However, the sportback body style provided a versatile 24.3 cubic-foot cargo area, which could be doubled by folding the rear seats, adding significant utility akin to a small crossover.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 Hatchback, while visually appealing, compromised on practicality. It provided 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Honda Civic Hatchback but more than the Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Folding the rear seats expanded the total cargo space to 47.1 cubic feet. However, these cargo dimensions came at the cost of rear passenger comfort, with tight legroom and headroom, making it unsuitable for taller adults or three passengers in the back. The sedan version offered even less cargo space with 13.2 cubic feet and similarly tight rear quarters. Furthermore, the hatchback’s design led to significant blind spots and poor rearward visibility.

Acura equipped the 2024 Integra Type S with a 10.2-inch digital instrument display and a 9-inch infotainment screen, praised for their simplicity and ease of use. The system featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D surround-sound system. While pairing an iPhone and streaming music worked well, the wireless charging pad was unreliable, and sound quality was affected by cabin noise. However, the inclusion of a 5.3-inch head-up display added valuable driving information.

Mazda’s tech approach in the 2024 MAZDA3 leaned towards a rotary controller interface, steering away from touchscreen dependency. The 8.8-inch display on most trims and the new 10.25-inch touchscreen on higher trims supported both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless connectivity available on top trims. The system included a wireless charging pad, Wi-Fi with an AT&T subscription, remote services, navigation, and roadside assistance. Though the rotary controller had a learning curve, it was ultimately user-friendly and less distracting than touchscreens. The Bose stereo system, though previously unimpressive in other models, delivered good sound quality in the MAZDA3.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S included a comprehensive suite of safety features under the AcuraWatch banner, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, the manual transmission affected the functionality of adaptive cruise control and emergency braking. The vehicle also featured ten airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and both front and rear parking sensors. While the specific crash-test ratings for the Type S model awaited, the standard Integra boasted top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Turbo Premium Plus trim further enhanced safety with features like Cruising and Traffic Support, an advanced form of adaptive cruise control designed to ease driving in heavy traffic, albeit not as hands-free as some competitors’ systems.