Is the Acura Integra considered a sports car?
Not in the strictest sense of the term. The Integra is best described as a premium sport compact hatchback, with a high-performance variant that edges toward sports-car territory.
Positioning and design philosophy
The Acura Integra, revived for the modern era, pairs everyday practicality with engaging driving dynamics. Built on the Honda Civic platform, it aims to offer accessible performance, refined interior quality, and hatchback versatility rather than the niche appeal of a purpose-built sports car. Its presence in Acura’s lineup reflects a balance between comfort, technology, and sportiness for daily driving.
Key traits shaping how the Integra is viewed in the marketplace:
- Body style and practicality: five seats with a hatchback rear, ample cargo space for a compact pair of doors, and usable daily practicality.
- Platform and handling: shared underpinnings with the Civic, tuned for responsive steering and a sporty feel without sacrificing ride comfort.
- Drivetrain orientation: front-wheel drive is the standard setup, which favors fuel economy and everyday usability over traditional rear-drive sports-car dynamics.
- Performance spectrum: a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine around 200 horsepower on base models, with a dedicated high-performance variant offering significantly more power.
- Positioning in the lineup: marketed as a premium sport compact, rather than a two-seat or exotic sports car.
Overall, the Integra blends practicality with sport-oriented engineering, appealing to buyers who want a lively daily driver rather than a pure sports car focused solely on track-ready performance.
Variants and performance figures
Power, handling, and features vary by trim, with the standard Integra delivering strong everyday performance and the Type S elevating the experience significantly. The following highlights illustrate how the lineup differs in character.
What distinguishes the Type S from the standard Integra
The Type S represents Acura’s most aggressive Integra variant, designed to deliver real performance credentials while retaining front-wheel-drive layout. It features a higher-output engine, upgraded chassis components, and sport-focused equipment that make it the closest thing to a traditional sports-car experience within the Integra family.
- Integra (standard to A-Spec trims): equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine producing around 200 horsepower, with transmission choices that vary by trim (coverage includes automatic variants and, on certain trims, a manual option).
- Integra Type S: powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing about 320 horsepower, paired with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission, and a mechanical limited-slip differential. It also features upgraded suspension, performance brakes, and other chassis enhancements to support sharper handling.
- Drivetrain and dynamics: both maintain front-wheel-drive architecture, with the Type S emphasizing track-capable dynamics through software and hardware upgrades rather than a switch to all-wheel drive or exotic drivetrain layouts.
In summary, the Type S is the performance apex of the Integra family and the most credible candidate for enthusiasts seeking a sports-car-like experience in a practical, four-door hatchback. The standard Integra remains a highly capable, sporty compact for daily use, but it does not aim to be a traditional sports car.
Bottom line
Is the Acura Integra a sports car? The answer depends on how you define “sports car.” If you mean a two-seat, high-exotic, rear-wheel-drive performance machine, then no—the Integra does not fit that mold. If you value a practical, well-appointed compact hatch with tangible sports-car DNA, especially in the Type S form, then the Integra qualifies as a compelling sports compact that leans into performance without sacrificing everyday usability.
Summary
The Acura Integra occupies a middle ground between practicality and sportiness. Its standard versions deliver engaging, spirited driving within a four-door hatchback package, while the Integra Type S pushes those capabilities to a higher performance tier with a 320-horsepower engine and a manual transmission. Collectively, the lineup represents Acura’s approach to a modern sport compact rather than a pure sports car.
