Acura Integra Motor Authority's Best Car 2023 Nominee

Could the return of an iconic car name usher in a new winner for Motor Authority Best Car To Buy? It could be the $31,895 Acura Integra.

The Integra has a history of inexpensive thrills dating back to the mid-1980s. Its peak was the 1992 GS-R model, which was selected for the "100 Cars That Matter" series. However, Acura abandoned the name when it transitioned to the RSX, leaving behind a large chunk of its history.

With the new Integra, Acura kept the entry-level formula of modifying the Honda Civic's framework, but dropped the tired ILX from the lineup.

The Integra started with a solid platform based on the 2022 Honda Civic Si, fixing most of the complaints about Honda in the upgrade process. According to Senior Editor Kirk Bell, the package results in an Integra that recaptures past glory.

Each Integra is powered by a 1.5-liter turbo four with 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. Base and A-Spec models send power to the front wheels via a CVT with seven simulated gear ratios, but only the top model with the $36,895 A-Spec with Technology package, because it unlocks the option of a six-speed manual transmission, Enthusiasts will want the top model in the A-Spec with Technology Package. This manual transmission is a winner with short, clean, precise throws and sure engagement. Bell described this transmission as "too much fun" to pass up.

The Integra's chassis was stiffened by 5% and fitted with 27 mm hollow sway bars in the front and 17.5 mm in the rear (18 mm on A-Spec models).

The single biggest upgrade to the Civic Si, and the one that addresses the sporty Civic's biggest shortcoming, are the adaptive dampers that Acura installs with the Technology Package. On the highway, the suspension settles down. The ride is still soft, but body movement is controlled.

With a very quick ratio of 11.52:1 (the base model is even quicker at 11.33:1), the Integra's steering offers a deft response. It never feels too quick, and the Integra is never dirty, even on the highway.

The interior seats five, but only four can sit comfortably. The sport-type front bucket seats are firm and supportive, but the rear seats have a low bottom and a fast roofline that reduces headroom in the rear. The standard 7.0-inch touchscreen seems a bit small, but A-Spec models with the Technology Package add a 9.0-inch touchscreen that offers the Civic's easy-to-use tile-based interface and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be included. The hatchback body style offers 24.3 cubic feet of space, and the rear seats fold nearly flat to expand cargo room.

The Acura Integra is not perfect. A manual transmission should be an option across the board, and at 200 hp, I'd like some back-road power. Another 50-75 hp would be enough, some of the same power as the 21-year-old RSX Type S, which shows a lack of progress; the Integra Type S, due to arrive in 2024, should properly address this issue.

Will the Integra's attractive manual transmission, well-tuned suspension, and quick steering be enough to beat two hot hatches, a ridiculous SUV, a luxury EV, and a sports sedan? on January 4, our sister sites Car Connection and Check back as we announce the winner, along with the champs from "Green Car Report.