2023 Acura Integra vs 2023 Toyota Crown

The 2023 Acura Integra showcased a cohesive design language that meticulously aligned with Acura’s lineup, exhibiting key features like the notable pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlight design, and sharply creased character lines. The Integra seamlessly fit in with the TLX sedan, RDX, and MDX crossovers from Acura’s stable. With the arrival of the Integra, Acura decided to phase out the ILX compact sedan, acknowledging the market’s current preference for fewer sedan options.

Unlike the ILX, the Integra sported a five-door liftback design rather than the traditional four-door sedan style, harkening back to the third-generation Integra with embossed “Integra” nameplates at the front-left and rear-right corners. Its wide track and long wheelbase contributed to a solid, planted look. The 2023 Integra was available in three main trim levels: base, A-Spec, and A-Spec with Technology. The base trim featured 17-inch alloy wheels, whereas the A-Spec boasted 18-inch Shark Gray wheels, accompanied by all-season performance tires on all versions. A decklid spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, and prominent taillights gave the Integra a distinctive rear appearance.

Inside, the Integra incorporated elements from the Honda Civic to keep production costs reasonable, but without appearing as a mere re-skin. Honeycomb grilles covered the climate control vents without spanning the entire dash width like in the Civic. The HVAC system’s controls, finished in knurled metal with satisfying clicky actions, felt outstanding. The A-Spec with Technology trim included a 9-inch color touchscreen. The thin steering wheel, similar to the Civic’s, felt good, and exterior visibility was excellent, thanks to the thin A-pillars, although rearward visibility was less favorable.

The A-Spec trims featured microsuede upholstery that held the driver in place well but lacked breathability on hot days, and ventilated seats were not an option. Despite its premium branding, the Integra didn’t deliver the bespoke refinement of German competitors like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Nonetheless, it felt solidly constructed and displayed a high standard of build quality.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota Crown was a full-size sedan, standing out with an elevated ride height four inches higher than the recently discontinued Avalon, reminiscent of the Honda Accord Crosstour. The Crown’s bold styling included a massive, largely aesthetic grille, angular wraparound headlights, and a black trim piece breaking the side profile. The rear boasted a rounded design with a bold taillight strip and an unconventional stepped transition from the side fender.

Inside, the Crown featured a modern digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen on the dash, with physical climate control buttons beneath. The combination of hard plastic elements and cushioned touch points created a robust interior, although improved surface graining could elevate its appeal. SofTex faux-leather trim in the base XLE, and full leather in Limited and Platinum trims, provided varying degrees of luxury, with the higher trims offering increased passenger comfort. However, firm cushioning on the comfortable front seats could lead to discomfort over long trips.

The elevated ride height offered a better road view though not as commanding as SUVs. Large cupholders, door pockets, a well-designed center console, and vertical phone tray with a wireless charger enhanced practicality. The rear seats offered ample legroom and adequate headroom, with a panoramic sunroof in higher trims ensuring a spacious feel. Despite its fastback profile, the Crown had a traditional trunk with a wide, low opening for easy loading.

The 2023 Acura Integra marked its first use of a turbocharged engine, a lively 1.5-liter inline-four producing 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Available only in the A-Spec with Technology trim, the six-speed manual transmission—complemented by a limited-slip differential—was a joy to drive, aided by Acura’s automatic rev-matching technology which made downshifting smooth and seamless. The automatic stop/start and brake hold functions provided a modern driving experience. The Integra’s short shifter throws and minimal rev hang ensured an engaging manual transmission experience.

The Integra’s handling was remarkable for a front-wheel-drive vehicle, thanks to its firm suspension, wide track, and long wheelbase, providing a sporty yet comfortable ride. The variable-ratio electric power steering system offered a natural feel on highways and sharp precision in corners. Three driving modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—allowed drivers to tailor the ride, with Sport mode noticeably stiffening adaptive dampers and increasing steering weight.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains across its trims. The base powertrain combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 236 horsepower through a CVT and supplemented by AWD when necessary. The Platinum trim featured the Hybrid Max powertrain, pairing a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with a more powerful electric motor, achieving 340 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission. This trim provided full-time AWD with at least 30% power to the rear wheels.

The Crown’s hybrid base accelerated to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, whereas the Hybrid Max achieved it in 5.7 seconds. Initial response was quick due to the electric motors, but both powertrains lacked the urgency often desired. The base hybrid’s CVT caused the engine to drone at high revs, while the Hybrid Max’s traditional transmission mitigated this slightly. An EV drive mode allowed electric-only propulsion, useful for short, low-speed distances.

The Crown prioritized ride comfort, with its elevated height and weight not encouraging sporty driving. The Platinum's adaptive suspension and Sport+ mode added minimal impact on performance. Cabin noise levels were well-managed, aside from occasional engine drone and slight wind noise off the mirrors. Some driver aids like Curve Speed Reduction proved intrusive but could benefit less confident drivers.

The 2023 Acura Integra’s liftback design contributed to its practicality, with 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the height of the lift-over could pose a challenge for loading heavy or bulky items. Interior accommodations included logically placed controls, cupholders, a tray for phones, and a decent center console cubby. The rear offered ample legroom but limited headroom due to its sloped roof, making it less ideal for taller passengers. Rear seat cushions were notably comfortable.

The 2023 Toyota Crown presented a fabric and SofTex faux-leather interior in the base XLE, shifting to full leather in the Limited and Platinum. Firm cushioning could lead to discomfort over longer journeys, although cabin space was generally ample, offering a good view from the elevated seating position. The Crown's trunk space was 15.2 cubic feet, smaller compared to the Integra and even other sedans like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon. However, the low, wide trunk opening facilitated easier loading of bulky items.

The Acura Integra was well-equipped technologically, providing Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Upgrade to the Technology package, and the touchscreen increased to 9 inches, with added wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and a wireless charging pad enhancing convenience. The A-Spec with Technology trim featured multiple USB ports and the impressive ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers, strongly outperforming the standard 8-speaker setup in lower trims.

The Toyota Crown featured a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, supplemented by a wireless charging pad. Upgrading to higher trims added an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system. The Crown benefitted from over-the-air software updates, voice recognition activated with "Hey Toyota", and a digital key feature on the Platinum trim. A Wi-Fi hotspot and streaming services such as Apple Music and Amazon Music were also available.

Safety aspects of the 2023 Acura Integra were comprehensive, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and hill-start assist. The A-Spec with Technology added low-speed braking control and parking sensors. Notably, these features were available regardless of transmission type, setting a benchmark in standard safety equipment. The NHTSA awarded the Integra a five-star overall rating.

The Toyota Crown came standard with frontal and cross-traffic collision warnings, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and a rear-seat reminder. The Platinum trim featured a semi-automated parallel parking system. Proactive Driving Assist functions were deemed intrusive, and the hope was for more customization in production models. Crash test results from both NHTSA and IIHS were pending closer to the Crown’s release date.