What does LS stand for in Acura Integra?

The LS designation stands for Luxury Sport. The badge signaled a mid-range trim that balanced comfort-oriented features with sport-oriented performance tuning.

Across the Integra's North American lineup from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, Acura used two-letter badges to denote a model's focus within the range. The LS badge appeared on mid-level cars designed to offer a step up from the base RS while not reaching the higher-performance GS variants.

The Integra trim ladder

Here's a quick overview of the primary Integra trims that commonly appeared in market catalogs and brochures.

• RS — the base/entry-level model with essential features.


• LS — Luxury Sport, the mid-range offering with additional comfort and convenience features.


• GS — Grand Sport, a higher-spec version with more performance-oriented equipment.


• GS-R — Grand Sport Racing, a high-performance variant with enhancements for better speed and handling.


• Type R — the track-focused flagship tuned for performance driving.

In practice, the LS was positioned between RS and GS, serving buyers who wanted a more refined package without stepping up to the higher-performance GS-R or Type R models.

Origins of the badge and naming conventions

The two-letter abbreviations on Acura and Honda models followed a loose naming convention that signaled market positioning. Understanding what each letter stands for helps decode the lineups across generations.

1. RS — Rally Sport or sometimes simply the base trim, depending on the model year.


2. LS — Luxury Sport, indicating a blend of comfort and sport-oriented features.


3. GS — Grand Sport, denoting a step up in equipment and performance.


4. GS-R — Grand Sport Racing, a performance-tuned variant for enthusiasts.


5. Type R — Type Racing, the ultimate high-performance factory-tuned model.

These designations helped buyers compare trims quickly and guided dealers in marketing the Integra’s varying levels of equipment and performance.

Regional variations and caveats

While the above reflects the common North American lineup, trim naming and availability could vary by market and model year. Some regions and years saw fewer or differently named variants, and feature availability moved with ongoing product updates.

Summary: The LS badge on the Acura Integra denotes Luxury Sport, a mid-range trim designed to balance comfort with sport-oriented enhancements. The Integra lineup typically followed RS, LS, GS, GS-R, and Type R, with LS occupying the middle ground in most markets.

What does a LS engine stand for?

"LS" in an engine context most commonly refers to General Motors' LS-based small-block V8 engine family, which originated from the RPO (Regular Production Option) code "LS1" for the first generation III engine. While some believe "Luxury Sport" or "Longitudinal Short-block" are behind the name, official confirmation is lacking, and it's often simply an internal GM designation. The name has become a general term for GM's Gen III and IV V8 engines, regardless of their specific RPO code.
 

• Official Designation: The term "LS" originated from the specific RPO code "LS1" for the first engine in this series, first introduced in the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette. 
• Engine Family: The name has since been adopted to refer to the entire family of General Motors' Gen III and IV small-block V8 engines, even those with different RPO codes. 
• Common Misconceptions: While the acronym "Luxury Sport" is often cited, particularly in relation to vehicle trim levels (where "LT" is "Luxury Touring"), this is not an officially confirmed meaning for the engine series. Some also suggest it could mean "Longitudinal Short-block," but this is also not officially confirmed. 
• Legacy: The LS series is known for its compact and lightweight design, making it popular for engine swaps in various vehicles. It has been used in a wide range of vehicles, from sports cars like the Corvette to trucks and SUVs. 

What does LS mean on Integra?

The LS is very similar to the latter three in terms of performance, as they all come with the same B18B1 non-VTEC engine. It generates 142 hp at 7000 rpm. The LS trim of the Integra is considered to be the most preferred of all the trims. The abbreviation stands for 'Luxury Sport', and was available in coupe and sedan.

What's better, LT or LS?

Neither "LT" nor "LS" is inherently "better"; it depends on whether you are comparing car trim levels or engines, and what your priorities are. For car trims, LT is a higher, more feature-rich, and more expensive trim level than the base LS. For engines, the LT is newer and more technologically advanced, offering better efficiency and power, while the LS is a more budget-friendly option with vast aftermarket support for building.
 
Comparing LT and LS as car trim levels 

• LS (Luxury Sport): This is typically the base or near-base trim level for a car model.
  • Pros: More affordable starting price.
  • Cons: Fewer features compared to the LT trim.
• LT (Luxury Touring): This is a step up from the LS trim.
  • Pros: Comes with more premium features, such as upgraded engines, better technology, and more luxurious interior and exterior elements.
  • Cons: Higher price point than the LS. 

Comparing LT and LS as GM engines 

• LS (predecessor): An older, but still popular engine family. 
  • Pros: More affordable, especially for swaps and builds. It has extensive aftermarket support, making it a strong and budget-friendly choice for performance builds. 
  • Cons: Lacks the modern technology found in the LT family. 
• LT (successor): The modern GM engine family. 
  • Pros: Features advanced technologies like direct injection and variable valve timing, which result in better performance and fuel efficiency. The Gen 5 LT blocks are also considered more robust. 
  • Cons: More expensive, and modification projects can be more complex and costly due to the newer technology. 

Which one is better?

• Choose the LT trim over the LS trim if: You prioritize more premium features and are willing to pay more for them. 
• Choose the LS engine if: You are on a budget for a project car or want a massive selection of readily available and affordable aftermarket parts. 
• Choose the LT engine if: You want the latest technology with better efficiency and power, and are comfortable with the higher cost and complexity, especially for modern performance builds. 

What does LS stand for in cars?

In cars, "LS" most commonly refers to the base trim level for General Motors (GM) vehicles, meaning Luxury Sport, or is the designation for GM's popular V8 engine series, which started with the LS1 engine. For Lexus, the "LS" signifies the brand's flagship full-size luxury sedan. 
As a trim level

• Chevrolet: LS is the entry-level trim, one step above the base "L" model. It offers more features and a slightly more luxurious feel than the base model. 
• General meaning: The name is often interpreted as "Luxury Sport," though in practice it simply denotes the base model in many GM lineups. 

For GM engines

• Engine series: The designation refers to a family of V8 engines introduced by GM in 1997 with the LS1 in the Chevrolet Corvette. 
• Technical origin: The name originally came from the RPO (Regular Production Option) code LS1 assigned to the first engine in this new series, not an acronym for a specific feature like "Luxury Sport". 
• Common use: The term "LS engine" is now widely used to refer to all engines in this family, which are known for their performance and are used in various GM cars, trucks, and SUVs. 

For Lexus

• Lexus LS: This is the name of Lexus's full-size luxury sedan, which has been its flagship model since 1989. 
• Meaning: While the official meaning isn't always clear, it is widely understood to signify a high level of luxury, possibly standing for "Luxury Sedan" or "Luxury Sedan".