Acura Integra vs Toyota Camry Hybrid

Six years after introducing the eighth-generation Camry in 2018, the styling of the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid finally started growing on consumers. Perhaps it was the striking new Reservoir Blue paint and the Nightshade Edition’s matte-bronze 19-inch wheels that made the design more appealing. The 2023 Camry Nightshade Edition, available only with SE trim, could be selected with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a hybrid powertrain, front-wheel drive (FWD), or, in non-hybrid variants, all-wheel drive (AWD). It featured black-trimmed headlights and taillights, a TRD mesh grille, black side mirror caps, a black rear spoiler, and black badges. The three available colors—Reservoir Blue, Ice Cap, and Midnight Black—added to its allure.

Opening the driver's door revealed an interior consistent with the SE-spec design Toyota had offered for over half a decade. Despite Toyota’s claim of “impeccable fit and finish,” the interior leaned on the cheaper side, particularly with its plastic components. Road noise was noticeable, and the car’s build quality was called into question when closing the trunk or doors, which produced unconvincing sounds.

Priced starting at just over $29,000 with destination, the Camry Hybrid's cost could ramp up to $35,000 with all options selected. The Nightshade Edition was slightly cheaper, equipped with features like a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, auto-dimming rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, and all-weather floor liners, totaling an MSRP of $32,983.

In contrast, the 2024 Acura Integra Type S stood out with its widebody appearance and aggressive detailing, derived from the Honda Civic Type R. Notable design features included a redesigned front end, substantial track width increases, 19-inch wheels, aerodynamic aids, and cooling enhancements. The rear echoed the front's wider stance through body extensions and a substantial diffuser, and the triple-outlet exhaust provided an assertive soundtrack in Sport+ mode.

Offered in a single level of specification, the Integra boasted options like Apex Blue paint, Gloss Copper wheels, carbon fiber accents, and premium floor mats. Our test vehicle, including the destination charge, came to $53,785.

Inside, the Integra Type S largely mirrored the A-Spec variant with added Type S emblems, Ultrasuede seat inserts, and a dashboard trim color-matched to the interior. However, rear-seat passengers would notice cost-cutting measures, as the quality of materials did not meet expectations for a car of its price range.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid presented several powertrain options. The most popular was the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 202 and 206 horsepower, depending on the trim and drivetrain. A more powerful 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 was also available for the XLE, XSE, and TRD trim levels, though only with FWD.

Our test model featured the hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack. This configuration delivered 208 horsepower and simulated a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. While Toyota added features like programmed ratios and paddle shifters, the hybrid disappointed in fuel economy, averaging only 33.4 mpg against an EPA rating of 46 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid’s performance around corners was trustworthy, though the stability control appeared sensitive during sharp maneuvers.

Conversely, the 2024 Acura Integra Type S equaled the Honda Civic Type R with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 320 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 310-pound feet of torque between 2,600 and 4,000 rpm. This powertrain allowed the Acura to weigh slightly more than the Honda but delivered slightly more power.

Driving modes, adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and performance tires all highlighted the Integra Type S’s capabilities. The car handled exceptionally on Southern California roads, showing no signs of wheel spin or torque steer except on lumpy surfaces. However, the ride proved noisy, and long highway journeys highlighted the car's need for better insulation against road sounds. Despite these drawbacks, the Integra Type S remained an exceptional sport compact vehicle.

The Toyota Camry was appreciated for its simplicity and durability. Offering a straightforward layout and easy-to-use controls, it didn’t necessitate learning new systems from the owner’s manual. Most versions had dual-zone automatic climate control, with options for heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Our test car’s eight-way power driver’s seat provided comfort for long drives, though the SofTex artificial leather wasn't particularly soft. Rear seating, though not as spacious as a Honda Accord, had a manual height adjuster for the front passenger.

Storage within the cabin was practical but unlined, potentially causing items to rattle. The trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, less than competitors like the Accord, but could accommodate full-size suitcases efficiently.

The Acura Integra Type S provided 12-way power adjustment and heated seats with enhanced Ultrasuede inserts for the driver. The front passenger seat, lacking power adjustment, couldn’t be raised higher. The Integra's sportback body style offered significant cargo flexibility, with a 24.3 cubic-foot trunk that doubled with the rear seats folded. This made the Integra more versatile than the Camry in terms of cargo capacity.

Toyota equipped the Camry with a choice of a 7-inch or a 9-inch infotainment display, both supporting smartphone connectivity, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. The test car featured the basic 7-inch screen, which couldn’t execute all voice commands effectively. Additional tech included available driver information and head-up displays.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S was fitted with a 10.2-inch digital instrument display and a 9-inch infotainment screen. The touchscreen interface stood above Acura’s True Touchpad Interface, featuring user-friendly controls and supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, pairing issues arose with some devices, and the wireless charger proved unreliable. While the Acura/ELS sound system wasn’t as impressive as expected, the infotainment system’s simplicity and functionality were commendable.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid’s standard safety suite included 10 airbags and the comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), offering features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems sometimes operated too dramatically. Despite this, the Camry achieved five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though this might change with newer side-impact tests.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S featured AcuraWatch, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. However, certain features like adaptive cruise control were limited due to the manual transmission. The Integra fit 10 airbags, parking sensors, and advanced crash architecture, earning top safety ratings for the standard model, likely indicative of the Type S’s safety performance.