Acura brought back the Integra name. However, the standard car didn’t capture the spirit of the legendary Integra of the 90’s. To me, the 2023 Acura Integra A-Spec felt like a new generation of the old ILX and it was too similar to the Civic Si but at a much higher price. For the 2024 model year, Acura is giving us the Type-S variant. So is history repeating itself or does this 2024 Acura Integra Type-S merit the higher price over the Civic Type-R?
Performance
Engine – The standard Integra uses the same engines as in the Civic Si. A 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder with the same power output of 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque (149 kW & 260 Nm). This Integra Type-S also uses the same engine that is found in the Civic Type-R but it has been tuned a bit by the Acura engineers. It develops 5 more horsepower for 320 hp & 310 lb-ft of torque (239 kW & 420 Nm). Will you notice the 5 extra ponies? Probably not. But you may notice the punchier mid-range acceleration compared to the Civic Type-R. This engine was tuned so that there’s a bit more torque in that range and in Sport+ mode, you’ll also hear the engine a bit better. The exhaust has also been tweaked with it producing a “meaty” tone and a few pops & bangs as you lift off the throttle pedal. Oh, and this engine retains VTEC but you feel the boost much more, especially when the rpm needle hits the 2,500 mark. 0-100 km/h can be completed in the low 5 second range depending on how quickly you can change gears.
Fuel Economy – With a high performance engine such as this, you’d expect it to have the fuel economy of a V6. Not so. Yes, it requires premium fuel but it is rated at 11.1 L/100km (21.2 MPG) in a city and 8.3 L/100km (28.3 MPG) on a highway. Furthermore, it’s actually quite easy to achieve those numbers in the real world. I averaged 10.1 L/100km (23.3 MPG) during my time with the car which did include some closed course shenanigans. Unlike the Civic Si, this car does not have an auto start/stop function.
Transmission – Unlike the standard Integra, the 2024 Acura Integra Type-S is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission. Like many other performance Honda transmissions, the shifter feel is wonderful. A precise and mechanical feel. The clutch is heavier than the one in the Civic Si and has a better feeling bite point. Though, it’s not so heavy that it’ll tire you out on the daily commute to work. Additionally, this transmission has a rev match function which will blip the engine to the correct rpms for faster & smoother downshifts. Unfortunately to turn this feature off, you have to dig through the infotainment system when the car is stationary and the parking brake applied. And finally, the shifter is covered in a bit of leather but the metal top and bottom portions will still get ice cold on crispy winter mornings and red hot on blistering summer days.
Braking – The Acura Integra Type-S has the same Brembo 4-piston front calipers and 13.8” 2-piece rotors as the CTR (Civic Type-R) which provide the bulk of the stopping force. The rear discs measure 12” in diameter and are clamped down by regular, single piston floating calipers. These brakes provide plenty of stopping force in everyday traffic with a firm but easy to modulate brake pedal. Around a closed course, I did not notice any brake fade after repeated use. The car stopped quickly and in a straight line. It never felt out of control. The only let down were the snow tires that this demo vehicle came equipped with. They didn’t provide much grip and I found myself tripping the ABS under moderate braking. More so under heavy braking.
Handling – It’s in the handling department where there are a few more differences between this 2024 Integra Type-S and the CTR. This Type-S is almost half an inch wider than the Type-R but it still retains the same adaptive dampers. However, the tuning of the dampers is different. In the Integra, each different step in suspension stiffness is one step less than in the Civic. For example, Sport+ in the Acura is similar to the Sport mode in the Honda. This not only provides a smoother ride but over rough roads or tracks, it could help with keeping tire traction a bit better than in the Type-R. As well, the Acura Integra Type-S has 29 lbs worth of more sound insulation which does increase the weight to 1,460 kg (3,218 lbs).
But even with the extra heft and softer suspension tuning, the 2024 Acura Integra Type-S is a lot of fun around a race track or closed course. It has the same limited slip differential of the CTR which does wonders at putting the power down after 1st gear. In 1st gear, the engine’s torque easily overwhelms the tires. But exiting a tight corner in 2nd gear is smooth and, quite frankly, uneventful as the LSD does its job very well. Steering response is quick with the car easily changing directions from corner to corner. The Integra Type-S probably won’t set a faster lap time than the Civic Type-R around a smooth race track but when the roads get rough, it’ll give the CTR a run for its money.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – With the softer suspension tuning, the 2024 Acura Integra Type-S is a comfortable city car. I’d even dare to say that you can drive around city streets in the Sport+ suspension mode. That’s how well tuned the dampers are for rough pavement. You can also customize the drive modes so that in the Individual mode, you have Sport+ engine tune and Comfort suspension setting as I did.
Interior Space – Inside the cabin of the Integra Type-S is where you’ll find a few more differences between this and the Type-R Civic. The seats in this Type-S are the same ones that are found in the Integra A-Spec but with different colours. These Acura seats do not have the big bolsters of those in the CTR but the ultrasuede material down the center can still prevent you from sliding in them around corners. For the front occupants, space is generous with a lot of legroom and headroom. In the back, there are only 2 seats with cup holders in between them. Behind my tall 6’4” driving position, I have just enough legroom with my knees gently brushing against the Back of the front seat. However, headroom is less than the standard Honda Civic sedan due to the sloping roofline.
Behind the seats, the Acura Integra is a hatchback rather than a sedan like the Civic Si. It can accommodate 688 L (24.3 cu-ft) of space and the back seats can fold 60/40 for more cargo capacity. Additionally, you do not get a spare wheel under the floor and the subwoofer takes up a bit of space in the trunk.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – With the revised exhaust, the Integra Type-S has a noticeable tone in Sport & Sport+ modes but it’s not so loud that it’ll attract the attention of the police. In Comfort mode, it’s no louder than the standard Integra. With the addition of the extra sound insulation, the cabin is a bit more isolated from outside noises than some other sports sedans. Tire noise will still be the predominant noise on highways but it’s nowhere near as loud as the inside of a BMW M2 for example.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – As you’ve probably guessed by now, the 2024 Acura Integra Type-S is more expensive than the Honda Civic Type-R. This car will cost you $55,600 CAD ($50,800 USD) which is approximately $5,500 CAD more than the CTR. Unfortunately, more likely than not dealerships will tack on huge markups for this car due to the high demand and limited numbers for the 2024 model year.
Gadgets – For that money, the Acura Integra Type-S doesn’t have any packages to add on and the only options are the paint colours. Having said that, the Integra Type-S doesn’t have all of the features that can be found on the Integra Elite A-Spec. For example, while this car has heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, it does not have heated rear seats. There is also a head-up display and wireless phone charging pad but the Type-S does away with the sunroof.
The infotainment system is displayed on a 10.2-inch screen and it is not the infotainment that other Acura models use. The biggest complaint with the other systems is the use of the touchpad, especially when using CarPlay or Android Auto. With this system, it is a touchscreen so it’s much easier and more intuitive to use.
Interior Design – The 2024 Acura Integra looks similar to the interior of the new Honda Civic. Some of the biggest differences include the power seats, the metal mesh that does not go across the dashboard, and the design of the door panels. Everything else is identical to the Honda Civic. However, while it looks a bit like a Civic, that’s not to say it’s a bad thing. The Integra feels more premium than its counterpart.
Exterior Design – The standard Integra’s design is influenced heavily by the current Acura design language. With the Type-S, it is built upon with a fully functional hood vent, larger grille with thinner mesh for better airflow, bigger air ducts for cooling, wider fender flares, triple exhaust pipes, and a subtle diffuser and lip spoiler. I wasn’t too big a fan of the look of the standard Integra but this Type-S is a headturner.
Safety – The 2024 Acura Integra Type-S is equipped with almost every active and passive safety feature that Acura offers on their vehicles. These include automatic emergency braking, lane keep, blind spot sensors, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, and hill start assist to name a few. The only items that are not included on this car, due to the manual transmission, are traffic jam assist and low speed follow function for the adaptive cruise control.
The 2023 Acura Integra received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and it stands to reason that this Type-S for the 2024 model year should also receive it if the IIHS were to test it.
Warranty – Although this is a high performance car, the 2024 Acura Integra Type-S is covered by the same warranty that all other Acura vehicles are covered with. This is a 4 year / 80,000 km new vehicle warranty and a 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. This powertrain warranty is 6 years & 70,000 miles in the United States. For more information on Acura’s Canadian warranty, click here. For USA warranty information, click here.
Conclusion – So is this just a rebadged Civic Type-R for a higher price? Technically yes but this Type-S does feel different enough from the Type-R to merit the price difference. The Civic Type-R is a track focused machine whereas this Integra Type-S is a car that you can use on a daily basis and still have a lot of fun on a race track. I seriously like this car, it’s just a shame about the markups that dealerships will add on to the price.
Thank you to Acura Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Acura.ca
2024 Acura Integra Type-S Quick Facts
Price: $55,600 CAD ($50,800 USD)
Engine: 2.0 L Turbocharged Inline-4 with VTEC
Horsepower: 320 Hp (238 kW)
Torque: 310 lb-ft (420 Nm)
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Wheels & Tires: 19″ alloy with P265/30ZR19 93Y Summer tires
Fuel Economy: City – 11.1 L/100km (21.2 MPG) / Highway – 8.3 L/100km (28.3 MPG)
Curb Weight: 1,460 kg (3,219 lbs)
Cargo Volume: 688 L (24.3 cu-ft)
Wheelbase: 2,735 mm (107.68″)
Width: 1,900 mm (74.8″)
Length: 4,730 mm (186.22″)
Ground Clearance: 122.75 mm (4.83″)
2024 Acura Integra Type-S Gallery
