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The Acura Integra made a comeback for 2022, after nearly 20 years of absence from the American market. The fifth generation of the Japanese model was a bit of a letdown, however. JDM fans were hoping for a sleek coupe inspired by the previous models, but instead we got a five-door hatchback that's basically a more luxurious Honda Civic (like it always has been).
That said, 2026 will see a refreshed Integra. The styling changes will be minor as will the tech offered, but contrary to recent trends in the segment, Acura Integra will keep one key feature. The compact segment has the highest percentage of models that offer the dreaded CVT. This type of transmission is typically associated with economy cars and having it fitted on a luxury model does raise a few eyebrows. Then, there is the question of the driving experience, and the fact of the matter is, a CVT makes for a dull driving experience.
But while other carmakers are slowly phasing out the manual in the segment, Acura is still giving you the option of a traditional six-speed transmission, which you can shift yourself. The stick shift unit shared with the Civic is one of the better units out there, and a true joy to work with. Back when the current Acura Integra came out, a whopping 70 percent of buyers chose the manual transmission, and things aren't much different three years later. You can see how Acura discontinuing the stick would have been detrimental to the model.
Styling changes are minor
The 2026 Acura Integra refresh comes with a few subtle changes. Exterior-wise, you get an optional color-matched front grill and a revised rear diffuser for a cleaner look. Inside, things are pretty much the same aside from a new dashboard pattern and extended ambient lighting (for the A-Spec trim). The seats have suede inserts, and if you go for the black interior, you get contrasting yellow stitching.
Nothing new under the hood
The base Acura Integra engine is still a 1.5-liter, L15CA, turbocharged, inline-four, producing 200 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 192 pound-feet at 1,800-5,000 RPM. Power still goes to the front axle only, through a CVT or a six-speed manual. You also get a helical, limited-slip differential for more predictable handling.
For 2026, Acura Integra still won't offer a hybrid variant. If you want that you will have to go for the Honda Civic e: HEV, which offers more performance and better gas mileage than any Integra south of the Type-S.
It seems the hybrid theme is much more strongly emphasized on in Honda's lineup. The new Honda Prelude will feature a bunch of clever tech that should make it more exciting, and then, there is the recently mentioned Prelude Type-R, which is said to combine the Integra Type-S engine with powerful electric motors.
Will declining market eventually kill off the Integra?
Assistant Vice President of Acura National Sales, Mike Langel, said that Acura still commands 40 percent of retail sales in the segment. However, data from the second quarter of 2025 show a concerning trend. The segment is shrinking as Integra sales are down 27 percent, compared to the previous year. hatchbacks effectively killed off the compact front-wheel-drive, econocar-based coupes, but crossovers and SUVs could be doing the same to the hatchback.
But there is more to that.
If you are looking to buy the Acura Integra for the driving experience alone, why not just go for the Civic? You get the same underpinnings for an average of around $7,000 less compared to the more luxurious Integra. Granted, the Acura model does feature a slightly better interior and more tech, which may be worth the premium to some buyers.
I think bringing back the Acura Integra as a five-door hatch only (instead of a coupe) could play a bad trick on sales in the long run, especially with the new tariffs in place and the Civic on offer. We are already seeing this with the Integra's declining sales, and Acura may be forced to rethink its future in the segment. Official pricing for the 2026 Acura Integra is not released yet, but I suspect it will start at around $35,000 (around $800 over the 2025 model's starting MSRP), with the first models hitting the showrooms around August.
What do you think about the 2026 Acura Integra refresh? Would you rather see a coupe variant like we initially hoped for? Or do you think the Civic is a better value for money? Feel free to comment in the section below.
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image source: 2026 Acura Integra press release
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Comments
EVs remain cute as a bug,…
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EVs remain cute as a bug, but that's just not enough to get them into garages and carports, is it?
Correct. Honda was behind on…
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In reply to EVs remain cute as a bug,… by Buzz Wired (not verified)
Correct. Honda was behind on the electrification, compared to rivals, but now, I think they are just overdoing it. The Prelude is the latest example. Just give us a 2.0 turbo manual and be done with it. Sell a hybrid, too, if you must, for the carbon footprint nonsense.