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The entry-level luxury class of sedans has some stellar cars. The BMW 2 Series, the Mercedes C-Class, the Infiniti Q50 and others. The newest addition to the class is the new 2023 Acura Integra, a car that aims to bring back the fun of the sporty and beloved Integra from the 1990s. But this car is seriously less expensive than many of its rivals. Do we dare call it a luxury car?

What makes the Integra a luxury sedan?

2023 Acura Integra A Spec driving down a road
2023 Acura Integra | Acura

The Integra replaced the ILX at Acura, a car that many regarded as a good, but not great, luxury car. The Integra seems to earn more fans thanks to its sporting pretensions. We could throw away the premium Acura badge, though, on the Integra and you would likely still see it as a luxury car. But of course it does have that badge, and you know that means it comes with luxury features.

While the Integra, to some, is a tarted-up Honda Civic, it’s more than that. While you can see the Civic’s roots in the car, Acura did a lot to disguise its roots. That means it gets nicer leather, a redesigned console, and a more technology. That tech, including a heads-up display, premium audio, and adaptive suspension all add up to a car that feels like a lot more than the Civic, so much more it’s winning awards.

What does the 2023 Acura Integra compete with?

The main competitors for the 2023 Acura Integra include the Infiniti Q50, Cadillac CT5, Audi A4, and Genesis G70. All of them have larger more powerful engines, but also base prices about $6,000 higher than the Acura. This segment is super competitive with most of these cars offering similar features and similar power. The big differentiator will be the styling.

Speaking of styling, the Acura offers one thing none of these do: it’s a liftback. We won’t dare call it a hatchback, but the back end has impressive cargo carrying ability, and the seats can fold flat, making it surprisingly practical.

The cheapest luxury sedan comes well-equipped

The Integra may be the cheapest luxury sedan you can buy with a base price of $31,300 but that doesn’t mean it skimps on anything premium buyers expect. Basing it on the mass-produced Civic helps bring costs down, and lets Acura add the kinds of features luxury buyers expect. The cabin features a leather-wrapped wheel, heated 12-way seats, and some cool piano black trim that give it an upscale feeling.

It comes with a 200-horsepower 1.5-liter VTEC turbocharged engine that makes a sporty 200-horsepower. Of course it comes with a large screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a digital gauge cluster. It also comes with the Acura Watch safety systems that include lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, and adaptive cruise control. The hot Type S version, though, will set you back $52,000, though it does have 320 horsepower, according to MotorTrend.

Ohh, and you can get one feature that no other luxury sedan offers. A six-speed manual is an option.  

Related

Want to Order an Integra Type S? Be Ready on May 11

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.