In today’s high-performance compact market, manufacturers face a persistent engineering compromise: delivering track-capable performance without compromising day-to-day drivability. For decades, hot hatchbacks leaned heavily into track capability at the direct expense of every single creature comfort.
Which brings us to the 2026 Acura Integra Type S. Now, I know beneath this swollen bodywork sits the beating heart of the Civic Type-R. But the Integra Type-S takes a different approach. Acura hasn’t just rebadged a track toy, they’ve given it a tailor-made suit and a civilized interior all while retaining the excitement of its sportier cousin. Welcome to the grown up hatchback.
Performance
Engine – 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 9.4 L/100km (25 MPG) during my time with the car. So if you drive it like a sane person, mostly on highways, you’ll get good fuel economy figures. But if you drive it the way Acura intended to be driven—meaning foot to the floor—you’ll watch that fuel gauge drop faster than gravity.
Transmission – Unlike the standard Integra, the 2026 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. 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.
Handling – It’s in the handling department where there are a few more differences between this 2026 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 2026 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 2026 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. 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 – So, what does this blend of daily comfort and track-slaying performance cost? Well, it’s more expensive than when I last drove it almost 3 years ago. Today, in 2026, it starts at $58,400 CAD.
Gadgets – For that money at least, you do get a fully loaded vehicle without the need to add more packages and options like the Audi S3 or BMW M240i. It already comes with a thorough list of convenience features that include heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, leather and ultrasuede upholstery, a wireless phone charging pad, a head-up display, dual-zone automatic climate control, parking sensors front & back, adaptive cruise control, and an ELS 16-speaker audio system.
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 2026 Acura Integra looks similar to the interior of the current 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 2026 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.
Warranty – Although this is a high performance car, the 2026 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 car is more than that. Where the Civic Type-R is a track focused machine, this is a car that can be used on a daily basis AND still have fun on a race track. It gives you luxury refinement, analog driver engagement, and everyday usability in a complete package. That’s why this was my car of the year for 2023.
Thank you to Acura Canada for providing the Integra Type S. www.Acura.ca
2026 Acura Integra Type-S Gallery
