Acura reprises the Integra name that helped establish the brand in Canada

What’s new
After a 21 year absence, the Integra nameplate returns to Acura for an entry-level car. It replaces the dated and uncompetitive ILX. Like all small Acuras sold in Canada since the inception of the brand, the new Integra is based on the popular Honda Civic.

Comments
Built on the same wheelbase as the current Civic, the other dimensions of the new Integra are close to the Civic hatchback, and the overall silhouette is shared. The driver faces the same basic TFT gauges, with different graphics than on the Civic. The segmented, hockey-stick-style readouts for coolant temperature and fuel level used on the Civic are employed in the Integra as well. The climate controls from the Civic are repurposed in an Integra-specific dashboard. Like the Civic, cabin space is good for a vehicle of this size, and fit and finish are impressive. The iOS-Android cellphone interface and the Alexa audio concierge are standard.

Power stems from Honda’s familiar 1.5L turbo four, producing 200 horsepower. That’s 12 more than the same engine in the Civic Touring, but it imposes the use of premium fuel, which is a poor deal for the owner. Power reaches the front wheels via a six-speed manual or a CVT automatic. A higher-performance model will likely follow.

Pricing
Acura announced pricing from $34,350 to $42,550.

Reliability
New car, not rated. Predicted reliability is above average, but the 1.5L turbo engine has generated some complaints in CR-V models that use it.