Acura Integra vs Lexus ES

Arguably positioned between the Civic and Accord in the Honda/Acura universe, but serving as an alternative to the Audi A3, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, and Mercedes-Benz CLA, the 2026 Integra blends comfort, utility, and driving satisfaction in an appealing five-door liftback configuration. For the 2026 model year, subtle styling updates and an improved standard infotainment system keep the Integra fresh, and with the cancellation of the TLX, it serves as Acura’s only car model.

Verdict: Thanks to its liftback design and appealing price point, the Acura Integra has no direct rivals. However, it faces significant in-house competition from the Acura ADX crossover SUV and the Honda Civic Hatchback. They render the Integra obsolete, which is a shame because it is a genuinely stylish, practical, and fun car.

The midsize Lexus ES is fully redesigned for 2026, with a larger footprint, modern styling, and both hybrid and all-electric variants. Among the few remaining rivals, it's the sensible and affordable choice, with very few drawbacks.

Verdict: While the Lexus ES 350h may not be all that exciting to drive, it more than makes up for it with a glassy-smooth ride quality, a quiet cabin, and a starting price that undercuts its German rivals by a sizable margin. As good as the ES 350h hybrid may be, we suggest checking out the all-electric ES 350e as well.