For higher and for worse, the 2023 Acura Integra borrows so much from the Honda Civic. The air vents could appear to be the obvious bits, however they’re actually totally different: the Civic’s mesh consists of hexagons whereas the Integras are diamonds. Wow, proper? The little air course nubs appear to be the identical. Personally, I believe the Civic’s full-width utility appears to be like extra particular and even premium, particularly given the Integra’s fairly blah grey sprint trim, however shrug.
In any other case, the switchgear is similar, together with the steering wheel, local weather controls, stalks and touchscreen(s). The 2 heart console designs are additionally shared, one for CVT-equipped vehicles and the opposite for manual-equipped vehicles like this one, though there are a couple of variations I am going to point out later.
How a lot does this actually matter? Finally, you possibly can resolve, however for now, let’s do the complete James Cameron and deep dive into the Integra A-Spec inside.
Alright, since I’ve already talked about them, listed here are the Integra A-Spec and Civic Hatchback with six-speed handbook aspect by aspect. We have not taken a pic of the Si inside on the identical angle (and Honda appears to have given up on its regular distinctive press photograph packages), so simply think about extra crimson and a shifter just like (however not the identical as!) the Integra’s.
And this is the vent comparability. Once more, the Civic Si has crimson trim surrounding the hexagon mesh as a substitute of silver.
This is that aforementioned blah grey sprint trim. These dots are textured, however generally, it lacks a sure premium look.
The remainder of the sprint trim is sufficiently low sheen and padded.
Talking of low sheen and padded, let’s speak door trim. Whereas at first look the back and front door tops look the identical, they don’t seem to be. Look nearer and you may see the sample is barely totally different, which is indicative of the truth that the entrance doorways have a soft-touch rubbery materials and the again doorways are rock-hard plastic. That is undoubtedly extra compact automotive than luxurious automotive.
This Upstairs, Downstairs theme continues …
Let’s speak seats and fabric. That is an A-Spec, which implies it positive factors entry to the non-compulsory Crimson inside. Sure, simply actually “Crimson” whereas your different decisions are “Ebony,” “Orchid” and “Graystone.”
That is not the bizarre bit. Whereas all seats are “Crimson,” they don’t have the identical upholstery. The entrance seats have facilities in micro-suede material with leatherette bolsters in crimson and black. Sorry, “Ebony.”
The again seats are simply leatherette. Bizarre, proper?
It is laborious to think about many different autos, apart from the third rows of SUVs and minivans, which have totally different upholsteries in several seating rows. Oh, that is proper! I can consider one other one: the Honda Civic Si.
The above left photograph is the very best I’ve (as I am guessing Honda’s advertising and marketing of us had been eager to completely conceal this specific ingredient), however the brand new Civic Si has a lot totally different upholstery entrance and rear. The entrance seats have this crimson tech material stuff that appears faraway from a backpack strap, whereas the again seat is simply plain black seat upholstery. Admittedly, this was additionally the case within the previous-generation Civic Si inside, which I do have an image of.
I believe we are able to all admit that this isn’t a Lucid Air scenario the place the seats are totally different colours due to a trend selection. The reply is $$$. Certain appears that is the rationale within the Integra, too, however at the least the entrance and rear upholstery is equally crimson. Sorry, “Crimson.”
Let’s speak switchgear. That is the silver Engine Begin/Cease button. You possibly can inform what it does as a result of it says Engine Begin/Cease on it. This seems to be the identical button used within the Acura TLX and is the uncommon Acura piece contained in the Integra.
This shifter can be particular to the Integra. Whereas it appears to be like just like the Civic Si’s, the steel bit on prime extends greater from the center leather-based bit. The identical may be stated when evaluating it to the six-speed handbook shifter discovered within the first-generation Acura TLX (a automotive I truly owned). OK, so the second-generation TLX additionally had one thing prefer it, however that automotive was lame.
Listed below are the Civic shifters for reference.
These buttons and knobs are shared with the Civic, though the Integra positive factors the INDIVIDUAL button that engages the Particular person drive mode. The drive mode toggle can be labeled “Dynamic Mode” as a substitute of “DRIVE MODE” as within the Civic.
Now, you will be aware that the Integra doesn’t have the large honkin’ Dynamic Mode knob within the heart of its sprint like different Acuras. That is a disgrace.
Transferring barely over to the precise, this is the principle distinction between the Integra and Civic heart consoles. Mainly, the Integra has a wall/buttress bridging the hole between the console and the decrease sprint.
Above left is the 9-inch touchscreen included within the Integra’s Expertise bundle, which is compulsory by the best way, do you have to desire a six-speed handbook transmission. And please, do desire a six-speed handbook transmission. In any case, that is fairly clearly a Honda unit. Identical format, identical performance, even the identical graphics.
We do not have an image of the usual 7-inch touchscreen, nevertheless it looks like a protected wager that it will seem like the Civic’s 7-inch unit pictured above proper. Mainly, it has a smaller, much less colourful display screen with extra laborious buttons — which is hardly a nasty factor. However, it is lame that the 9-inch unit is not commonplace.
Now, earlier than you go griping about an Acura sharing its infotainment system with a Honda Civic, permit me to current you with the infotainment system present in each different Acura not named after a automotive bought in 1990. That is the True Touchpad interface. Mainly, you have a look at the display screen, and place your finger on the little bit of touchpad that corresponds to the spot on the display screen you wish to contact. It is extra intuitive than that sentence makes it sound. That stated, it is nonetheless not that intuitive and creates extra issues than it solves. Our Zac Palmer kind of grew to love it, however the remainder of us have at all times chalked that as much as a kind of infotainment Stockholm Syndrome.
Listed below are the digital gauges, that are commonplace. You possibly can customise the show’s info and the colour scheme modifications to incorporate crimson dial rings when in Sport mode.
I did not get an image of it, as a result of I used to be driving, however the little Integra within the center is the driving force help show. It’s going to present how shut you’re to the strains (simply in case your eyes aren’t working?), and present animated variations of vehicles and semis. This appears extra distracting than something as a result of, once more, I can see the vehicles round me by way of this stuff known as home windows.
Headline: Acura Integra will not be submarine
Whereas there are simple advantages to the Integra’s all-digital devices, pictured above are the analog gauges of the Acura TLX Kind-S. These would’ve been proper at dwelling within the Integra.
The Expertise bundle additionally provides a USB-C port up entrance and two USB-C ports in the back of the middle console for the again seats. The wi-fi charger can be added. There’s in any other case just one USB-A port within the automotive.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are commonplace, however they’re wi-fi with the Expertise bundle. That additionally provides a head-up show, Alexa Constructed-in, satellite tv for pc radio, in-car WiFi and …
The ELS Studio 3D sound system. You undoubtedly CAN’T get that in a Civic.
And certainly, regardless of all of the similarities and shared components between the Integra and Civic, the Acura remains to be undeniably the extra premium automotive. It appears to be like and feels extra grown up, particularly in gentle of the Civic Si’s extra boy racier parts (just like the crimson backpack strap upholstery).
The Integra has additionally actually grown up from its ancestors (similar to the Civic). The again seat has enough legroom for somebody 6-foot-3 to take a seat behind himself, although removed from enough headroom. Even these of common peak are more likely to graze their noggin. Entrance seat house is uniformly nice and the driving force seat comes with commonplace eight-way energy adjustment. The Civic Si is handbook adjustment solely (the EX-L and Sport Touring trims do get energy), and proper me if I am incorrect, however I do not imagine any earlier Acura Integra or the RSX could possibly be had with an influence driver seat.
The cargo space boasts simply sufficient room to suit all the luggage of my regular Baggage Take a look at. Admittedly, I’ve not baggage examined a ’98 Integra, but when somebody needs to drop one off at my home, I am going to get’er performed.
As for the remainder of the Baggage Take a look at, nicely, that’ll be coming within the close to future.
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