2023 Acura Integra Interior Spied- Better Than a Honda Civic Si?
- The 2023 Acura Integra shares interior parts with the Civic Si
- Acura has kept Civic bits in the Integra to keep the base price low
- A real, live manual transmission sits in the Integra’s center console
We knew that Acura’s latest sedan would be heavily based on the Honda Civic Si. But we didn’t think it would be that similar to the Civic Si. Well, the interior of the Honda Civi- sorry- the 2023 Acura Integra, has been spied. The similarities between the two are as uncanny as they are many. Thankfully, the two also share a manual transmission.
The 2023 Acura Integra has a manual transmission
Let’s start the similarities there. For more photos of the Integra’s new interior, you can go check out this Car and Driver article. Back to the manual. The 2023 Acura Integra sports a manual transmission, like the Civic Si. It’s got the same leather and aluminum combo as the Si, but with a slightly different shape. However, there’s more similarities than differences. Take the center console, for example. As you can see, the console, shift assembly, cupholder arrangement, and presumably everything else up to the base of the dash, are identical to the Honda Civic Si.
Frankly, that’s not a bad thing. The shift action in Honda’s newest hot Civic is blissful. Our own Joe Santos said it’s the “most perfect-feeling shifter on the market.” It’s like a cross between a bolt-action rifle and finally getting that popcorn kernel out of your teeth. The little cutaway you see in the armrest also allows a much larger water bottle to be held there without getting in the way. Things don’t stop there either. The area in front of the shifter appears to include a similar storage cubby to the Si.
Acura’s new Integra is heavily based on the Honda Civic Si
As we move up the dash, the similarities continue in the 2023 Acura Integra. Honda’s climate control interface for the Si seems to have been transplanted right into the Integra. The available images are a little too grainy to be 100% certain, but the layout is at least the same. The ventwork trim for the 2022 Honda Civic interior has worked into the Integra as well, though it doesn’t run the length of the dash anymore.
This 2023 Acura Integra is also sporting the same infotainment screen as the Civic Si. We imagine that the system itself will be more a re-skin of the Civic’s infotainment than a wholly new layout. Finally, there’s the seats. “Worst case,” Acura has added some more upscale trimmings to the new Integra while keeping the Si’s seats. I use quotes because the Si’s seats are some of the best around. However, it’s also entirely possible they’re of Acura’s own design. It’s simply too early to tell.
Is the new Integra going to be worth the wait?
While all of those similarities might sound like a bad thing, they’re actually quite the opposite. The 2023 Acura Integra is supposed to be an entry point to the brand. One which needs to be priced accordingly. If trimmings from the fantastic Honda Civic Si help keep the price down, it’s all for the better. Besides, many of these similarities are somewhat disguised. Whether the way the Integra drives will be worth the wait, however, remains to be seen.
