Honda Accord vs Acura Integra

The 2023 Honda Accord underwent a redesign that redefined its aesthetic appeal. Honda opted for a more technical and modern design, stepping away from the flashy chrome and exuberant character of the previous model. This gave the Accord a conservative but stylish appearance. Our test car's Canyon River Blue paint complemented this new look and was well received. The EX trim's pewter wheel finish provided a balanced touch between the LX's sparkly silver wheels and the popular, character-lacking black wheels.

Inside, the Accord EX boasted appealing and durable cloth seats with contrast stitching. The dashboard featured stylish metal mesh trim that seamlessly integrated the air conditioning vents. Moreover, the digital instrumentation and touchscreen infotainment system highlighted Honda's attention to detail and refinement. For its class and price, the Accord EX was well-outfitted.

Contrarily, the 2024 Acura Integra Type S commanded attention with its aggressive widebody appearance. it shared its hardware with the Honda Civic Type R, ensuring serious performance upgrades. The redesigned front end accommodated a substantial 3.1-inch increase in front track width, 19-inch wheels, and aerodynamic aids to reduce high-speed lift. The rear was equally widened by 1.9 inches, tied together visually by a lower body kit and rear fender flares. The triple-outlet exhaust system added a thrilling soundtrack, especially in Sport+ mode.

Inside the Type S, the dashboard trim and seat inserts varied based on the Black, Red or Orchid interior color. Acura employed unique graphics on its digital displays, which enhanced the driving experience. Material quality mirrored the standard Integra, except for some areas where it lagged, particularly for a car with a price tag over $50,000.

The 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 192 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm. While the engine was carried over from the previous generation, it lacked the thrilling acceleration of the discontinued 2.0T engine. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was adequate, offering simulated ratio changes to somewhat mimic a traditional automatic.

Structurally, the Accord felt robust, filtering out shimmy and harshness quite effectively. The steering system was commendable, providing good response and road feel. Fuel efficiency was reasonably estimated by the EPA at 32 mpg combined, though our testing returned 28.7 mpg. When it came to driving dynamics, the Accord proved enjoyable, particularly on winding roads, though the tires squabbled under duress.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S housed a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine shared with the Honda Civic Type R. It offered 320 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque between 2,600 and 4,000 rpm. The six-speed manual gearbox with downshift rev-matching, along with the helical-type limited-slip differential, ensured exhilarating driving experiences.

The Integra Type S exhibited a more compliant ride in all driving modes, owing to specific suspension tuning. Additionally, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires offered unwavering grip but generated significant road noise. While there were subtle tuning differences, the ride quality was more civilized than the Civic Type R. Despite weighing slightly more, the Integra's performance edges were polished, with outstanding handling and responsiveness.

Upgrading from LX to EX in the 2023 Honda Accord brought enhancements like a darker wheel finish, heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more. However, some comfort features were inexplicably absent, such as a height-adjustable front passenger seat and rear USB ports.

Rear seating remained spacious and comfortable, though rear passengers lacked air vents and charging ports. The trunk was a standout feature, offering a substantial 16.7 cubic-foot capacity, making it easy to load and organize luggage.

In the Acura Integra Type S, front sport seats featured more aggressive bolsters and Ultrasuede inserts. While comfortable for daily driving, the thigh and upper bolstering could have been better. The driver’s seat had 12-way power adjustment, but the passenger seat lacked power adjustment and height adjustability.

The Integra Type S catered to four passengers, with decent legroom but insufficient thigh support in the rear. The sportback body style, complemented by a large liftgate, provided a 24.3 cubic-foot cargo area, which doubled when rear seats were folded down. This utility aspect set it apart as a versatile choice for practical cargo needs.

Technology in the 2023 Honda Accord was basic but functional. The standard 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featured wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Though the lack of SiriusXM was notable, streaming via Apple CarPlay worked effortlessly. Physical controls were intuitive, though the misidentified tuning knob was a minor inconvenience.

In the 2024 Acura Integra Type S, a 10.2-inch digital display accompanied a 9-inch touchscreen, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D sound system. Infotainment controls were user-friendly, but connection issues with the wireless charger were observed. The Acura/ELS audio system battled against the car’s inherent road noise, affecting sound quality.

The 2023 Honda Accord came equipped with Honda Sensing, an array of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-centering assist, and more. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The system generally performed well, though curves posed minor challenges. With a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, the Accord's safety credentials were strong.

AcuraWatch, featured in the 2024 Integra Type S, comprised adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-centering, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. While the manual transmission limited some features like Traffic Jam Assist, the system’s performance was adequate but not as refined as some competitors'. The Type S lacked specific crash-test ratings, but the standard Integra’s five-star NHTSA and Top Safety Pick+ ratings were promising.