After being discontinued in 2006, Acura is bringing the Integra back, and it’s a compact performance model priced at a reasonable level for a car built by a luxury brand like Acura. That being said, some folks may have some questions about its design. It’s based on the Honda Civic SI, but it doesn’t exactly look like one. Here’s a look at the 2023 Acura Integra and whether it’s a hatchback, a sedan, a coupe, or something else.

What is a hatchback?

J.D. Power wrote that a hatchback is pretty much what the name describes. It’s a car with a roof-connected hatch on its back. Many vehicles fit this definition, though, so this definition is just one part of the equation. A hatchback is usually an altered version of a sedan, and in terms of physical dimensions, a hatchback is relatively similar to a sedan.

However, the big difference comes from height. Since a hatchback has a large hatch on the back, a hatchback needs more height than a sedan typically does, or at least in the back. As a result, this gives hatchbacks much more cargo capacity than the sedan version does. 

In many cases, the hatch is so large that it’s considered a fifth door; thus, many hatchbacks are considered five-door vehicles. However, what separates a hatchback from an SUV is its size and capabilities. Hatchbacks are small overall, and they usually can’t off-road well. As such, they don’t usually compete with SUVs.

What is the body type of the 2023 Acura Integra?

Folks looking at the brand-new Acura Integra may think that it looks similar to the average hatchback, and there’s some truth. In reality, the Integra is considered a liftback, which is the middle ground between a regular sedan and a hatchback. Like a hatchback, the Integra’s rear area is larger, leading to cargo capacity benefits compared to a standard sedan. 

However, unlike a traditional hatchback, liftbacks like the Integra have a sloping roof that doesn’t give the car as much cargo capacity as a true hatchback would. As a result, in terms of cargo capacity, a liftback has more than a regular sedan but less than a standard hatchback. Some folks consider liftbacks a category in and of itself, but others think they’re variations on the hatchback class. 

So, whether or not the Integra is a hatchback ultimately comes down to whether you consider a liftback a hatchback. Either way, the Acura has a lot of competition in both types of cars.

Here are some examples of other hatchbacks and liftbacks

Hatchbacks are more popular than liftbacks, and many automakers offer a hatchback version of their compact sedan models. For example, the Civic has a hatchback version. Automakers also offer a sporty version of hatchbacks, often called hot hatches. A great example of a hot hatch is the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Since the Acura Integra is supposed to be a sporty car, it will likely compete for people’s attention against the Golf GTI rather than a regular hatchback.

Liftbacks are rarer, but there are some great options on the market too. The Volkswagen Arteon is a liftback, as is the Toyota GR Supra. Both cars are great options that are both luxurious and powerful. That being said, the Integra does have a strong advantage against those two liftbacks, as the Integra is the cheaper option. The Integra starts at about $31,000, while the Arteon and the GR Supra are in the $40,000 range.