2023 Acura Integra vs 2023 Nissan Versa

The 2023 Acura Integra showcased a cohesive design language that aligned seamlessly with Acura's larger models like the TLX sedan and the RDX and MDX crossovers. With its pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlight design, and sharply creased character lines, the Integra was a modern and stylish addition to Acura's lineup. The five-door liftback design, embossed "Integra" name, and wide track gave it a solid, planted look, distinguishing it from the ILX compact sedan it replaced.

Inside, the Integra shared some similarities with the Honda Civic but maintained its unique identity. The dashboard featured honeycomb grilles for the climate control vents, and the physical controls had a premium feel. The A-Spec with Technology trim included a 9-inch color touchscreen, a thin steering wheel, and excellent exterior visibility. However, rearward visibility was less impressive. The microsuede upholstery in the A-Spec trims provided good grip but lacked breathability, and the absence of ventilated seats was a notable drawback.

The 2023 Nissan Versa borrowed design elements from Nissan's larger Sentra and Altima sedans, giving it an upscale appearance. The V-Motion grille and floating roof design made the Versa instantly recognizable as a modern Nissan. The sedan's sleek profile and wide stance, along with nicely sized wheels, contributed to its traditional yet stylish look.

Inside, the Versa's interior design was creative for a budget model. The large round air vents and elaborate dashboard added character, and the fit and finish were impressive even on the pre-production test car. The SR trim featured red stitching and upholstery inserts, reminiscent of the early 2000s Sentra SE-R. The SR also included heated front seats, automatic climate control, a center console with an armrest, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Acura Integra featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a first for the model. This engine produced 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, delivering lively performance. The A-Spec with Technology trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching technology, making gear changes smooth and enjoyable. The Integra's handling was impressive, with a firm suspension, wide track, and long wheelbase providing a planted feel through corners. The variable-ratio electric power-steering system adjusted the steering feel based on wheel position, enhancing both highway and cornering performance. The Integra also offered three drive modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport, with Sport mode noticeably stiffening the adaptive dampers and adding weight to the steering.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, with its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. The base Versa S came with a five-speed manual transmission, while the CVT was optional on the S and standard on the SV and SR trims. The Versa's performance was satisfactory, with the CVT providing adequate responsiveness. The handling exhibited body roll in corners but maintained remarkable grip, making daily commuting pleasant. The suspension offered a comfortable ride, cushioning impacts well, and the cabin noise levels were lower than expected. Overall, the Versa felt more substantial than typical subcompact cars, with handling and refinement that exceeded expectations.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design provided practicality with 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the high lift-over height made loading and unloading heavy or bulky items challenging. The front seats offered a logical dashboard layout, smartly placed cupholders, a phone tray, and a decently sized center console cubby. Rear passengers had decent legroom but limited headroom due to the steeply sloped roofline. The rear seat cushions were incredibly soft, enhancing comfort.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, available only as a four-door sedan, offered 14.7 cubic feet of trunk space in the base S trim and 15 cubic feet in the SV and SR trims. This was more cargo space than competitors like the Kia Rio and Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedans. The Versa's front seats provided more headroom and legroom than its rivals, although rear-seat space was less generous. The front row felt spacious, with good outward visibility aided by a low dashboard and side glass. However, the center console bin was small, and the shifter's raised platform, while stylish, wasn't the best use of space. The optional wireless charging pad was conveniently tucked away.

The 2023 Acura Integra came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Technology package added a 9-inch color touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display, and a wireless charging pad. The top-tier trim also included a USB-C port for the front seats and two USB-A ports for the rear seats. The ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers provided an exceptional audio experience.

The 2023 Nissan Versa's base S trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth phone connectivity, streaming audio, Siri Eyes Free voice control, three USB ports, and keyless entry. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the S Plus Package or on the SV and SR trims. The SV trim added a 7-inch driver information display and a wireless phone charging pad, while the SR trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and NissanConnect Services telematics. Despite the tech features, the touchscreens were small, and the graphics on the 8-inch screen looked outdated.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a new standard for safety equipment, offering automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, a rear-seat reminder, hill-start assist, and automatic brake hold as standard features. The A-Spec with Technology trim added low-speed braking control, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The NHTSA awarded the Integra five out of five stars overall in crash tests.

The 2023 Nissan Versa also excelled in standard driver-assist tech, with automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection) and lane-departure warning on the base S trim. The SV trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SR trim included adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA gave the Versa a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side-impact crash testing and four stars in the frontal and rollover categories.