Vehicle comparison highlights:

• The 2023 Acura Integra will likely be slightly more expensive than the 2022 WRX
• The 2022 Subaru WRX is more powerful than the 2023 Integra
• The 2023 Acura Integra will likely be a lot more fuel-efficient than the 2022 WRX

The 2023 Acura Integra just opened up for orders this month, and it’s generally being well-received. We all love a good revamp, and Acura bringing the Integra back to life is a smart move. Is the new 2023 Acura Integra a tough enough competitor for the 2022 Subaru WRX? Can Acura pull some Subaru fans away from one icon and toward another?

Check out this quick comparison between the 2023 Integra vs 2022 WRX here, and read on to learn more.

2023 Acura Integra vs 2022 Subaru WRX: cost and reliability

Official details about trim levels and pricing for the 2023 Acura Integra haven’t yet been released, beyond Acura confirming that its newest model will start at around $30,000 for the base model. An available A-Spec® model and additional Technology Package will likely increase price points to the high-30s or low $40,000 range.

The 2022 Subaru WRX starts at $29,105 for the base WRX and tops out starting at $41,895 for the 2022 WRX GT. Trim for trim, the Subaru WRX will likely be slightly cheaper than the Acura Integra.

Both Subaru and Acura are well-known for their reliability as brands overall. But, since both of these models are all-new within the last year, only time will tell for their individual reliability.

The 2022 Subaru WRX smashes the 2023 Acura Integra in power rankings

The 2022 Subaru WRX comes standard with an aggressive 2.4-liter turbo engine that’s good for 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. A manual transmission comes standard, but Subaru’s automatic transmission is available for those who want it.

The 2023 Acura Integra, on the other hand, will likely come standard with the same 1.5-liter turbo found in the Honda Civic Si. It’s a peppy, happy little engine, but it only makes 200 hp and 194 lb-ft of torque. The Integra is also offering its CVT standard with the manual transmission offered only on the top trim/package. If you’re buying a sports car and want it to act like a sports car, the Integra might not be for you.

There will be no fifth-generation WRX STI, so this is the only powertrain comparison available at the moment.

The 2023 Acura Integra will likely be way more fuel-efficient than the 2022 Subaru WRX

We don’t officially have fuel economy specs for the 2023 Acura Integra, but CarScoops guesses that it’ll share most, if not all, performance specs with the Civic Si. If this compact sports car (five-door liftback, as Acura is calling it) is going to be running on Honda’s engine, it will very likely see similar fuel economy ratings. The Civic Si sees up to 27 mpg in the city and up to 37 mpg on the highway.

Anything has to be better than the 2022 WRX’s abysmal 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. For that, we’ll call this round in favor of the 2023 Integra.

A liftback design suggests the 2023 Acura Integra will be more versatile

Acura hasn’t released cargo specs or storage space dimensions for the 2023 Integra yet. However, we know that its liftback design and fold-flat rear seats will let drivers utilize the entire back seat and trunk for storage. 

That alone makes the all-new 2023 Integra a more versatile option than the 2022 WRX. The Subaru WRX only offers 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, and the back seats can’t fold down.

Which compact sports car is the right fit for you?

In the name of power and performance, the 2022 Subaru WRX gives you a lot more for about the same price. The Integra’s engine can’t begin to compare in terms of pure horsepower.

But, if you’re looking for a sports car that can deliver on performance and tight handling, that also doubles easily as your everyday commuter car, the Integra offers something that the WRX can’t: a healthy dose of practicality.