2023 Acura Integra vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2022 Honda Civic was available in familiar LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trim levels. The base model, Civic LX, started at $21,700, with prices reaching up to $28,300 for the Civic Touring, not including a $995 destination charge. Honda reintroduced a five-door hatchback later in the year, but the two-door coupe remained discontinued. The primary test vehicle, a Civic Touring in Morning Mist Blue, had a final price of $29,690, including destination charges. Another sampled Civic Sport model, with Platinum White Pearl paint and an HPD appearance package, was estimated at just under $25,880.

In terms of design, the 2022 Civic leaned towards a more conservative and plain appearance compared to the more visually striking previous model. Resembling the larger Accord sedan, the new Civic was characterized by a more tailored and grown-up look, which might appeal to those who found the previous model too flashy. Inside, the 2022 Civic aimed for simplicity with a minimalistic layout that featured an intriguing metal honeycomb mesh spanning the dashboard to conceal the air vents. Improved interior materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflected a newfound maturity not found in earlier models.

The 2023 Acura Integra, aiming to establish a cohesive design language within Acura's lineup, featured a pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharp character lines. This design aligned the Integra with the larger TLX and the RDX and MDX crossovers. The Integra replaced the ILX compact sedan, embracing a five-door liftback design instead of a traditional four-door sedan. The embossed "Integra" name on the front-left and rear-right corners paid homage to the third-generation Integra, which transitioned to the RSX in 2001. With a wide track and a long wheelbase, the 2023 Integra boasted a solid, planted look despite its compact-car proportions.

Inside, the Integra maintained similarities with the Honda Civic but avoided feeling like a simple re-skin. The dashboard featured honeycomb grilles for the climate control vents, but they didn't span the entire width as they did in the Civic. The physical controls for the HVAC system were of high quality, providing a satisfying tactile experience. In our test vehicle, the A-Spec with Technology trim included a 9-inch color touchscreen, a thin steering wheel that felt good, and excellent exterior visibility thanks to thin A-pillars. However, rearward visibility was less impressive. Microsuede upholstery in the A-Spec trims kept the driver in place but lacked breathability, leading to a desire for ventilated seats, especially on hot days.

For the 2022 Honda Civic, two engines were available initially, with a sport-tuned Civic Si and Civic Type R expected to join later. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. While this engine was adequate, the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder in the EX and Touring trims offered 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, creating a more satisfying blend of performance and efficiency.

Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVT), with different CVTs for each engine. The new Step Shift programming mimicked the sound and sensation of a traditional automatic transmission. The Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing responsiveness. Improvements in structural rigidity, suspension tuning, and steering feel made the 2022 Civic fun to drive without compromising ride quality. However, during a 95-mile driving loop, the Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg, falling short of the EPA's estimate of 34 mpg.

The 2023 Acura Integra debuted with a lively 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. The A-Spec with Technology trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with automatic rev-matching, providing a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, while lower trims utilized a CVT. The manual transmission in the Integra, equipped with a limited-slip differential, delivered an engaging and responsive drive, free from the rev hang issues seen in previous-generation Civics.

The Integra's variable-ratio electric power steering system adjusted the steering weight based on wheel position, delivering a natural feel on highways and sharp precision in corners. The suspension, firm yet comfortable, provided a sporty ride without being harsh. Although the Integra was only available with front-wheel drive, its handling capabilities were impressive. Acura offered three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—along with an individual mode, with Sport mode significantly enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic's redesigned front seats provided excellent support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim. The power driver’s seat allowed for precise adjustments, while the front passenger seat's fixed height didn't detract from its comfort. However, the Civic's low stance could make entry and exit challenging for some. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom, although the backrest angle might not suit everyone. With Touring trim, the Civic lost heated rear seats and lacked rear air conditioning vents, which seemed like notable omissions.

The redesigned interior featured a new center console with less storage space but more accessible cupholders and trim to resist fingerprints. Trunk volume remained generous at 14.8 cubic feet, or 14.4 cubic feet with the premium sound system in Touring trim, accommodating full-size suitcases and offering added utility with split-folding backseats.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design significantly enhanced cargo space, offering 24.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats—far surpassing the Civic. However, the high liftover height could make loading and unloading heavy or bulky items challenging. Once past this hurdle, the Integra provided ample space and comfort for driver and passengers. The front seats featured a logical dashboard layout with smartly placed cupholders and a spacious center console cubby. Rear legroom was decent, though headroom was limited for taller passengers due to the sloping roofline. Nonetheless, the rear seat cushions were notably soft.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with Touring trim upgrading the display to a more sophisticated 10 inches, offering greater customization and driving environment data. The Vehicle Activity display, showing when the headlights, brake lights, and turn signals were active, was a noteworthy safety feature. The infotainment system included a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and more conventional touchscreen usability enhancements.

Touring trim added a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration, HD radio, satellite radio, and an upgraded 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. Despite its slow initial load time, the system performed well, particularly the voice recognition technology, representing a considerable improvement over previous models.

The 2023 Acura Integra's base models came equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Technology package upgraded the touchscreen to a 9-inch unit, introduced wireless smartphone integration, a wireless charging pad, a head-up display, and a USB-C port for the front seats with two additional USB-A ports for the rear seats. Acura's ELS Studio 3D premium audio system in the A-Spec with Technology trim offered an exceptional audio experience with 16 speakers, far surpassing the standard 8-speaker system.

The 2022 Honda Civic earned praise for its upgraded Honda Sensing suite, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The transition from the LaneWatch camera system to a more conventional blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert (in EX and Touring trims) represented a significant safety improvement. The Civic's robust vehicle architecture and new airbag designs enhanced occupant protection, earning it a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Acura Integra set a new standard for safety equipment, offering features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic jam assist as standard across all trims. The A-Spec with Technology trim added low-speed braking control, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Notably, these features were available even with the manual transmission. The NHTSA awarded the 2023 Integra a five-star overall rating, reflecting its comprehensive safety package.