New 2023 Acura Integra l Maus Acura of North Tampa

Maus Acura of North Tampa offers a comparison between the 2023 Acura Integra and the 2022 Mazda 3.

 

If you are planning to purchase a sports compact car this year, you might be considering the 2023 Acura Integra and the 2022 Mazda 3. While both are great vehicles, our team here at Maus Acura of North Tampa put these two vehicles to the test to see which one is the best in terms of performance, technology, safety features, and more. Ready? Let's go!

Overview

The 2023 Acura Integra is a relaunch of the iconic Integra model and effectively replaces the ILX sedan. The Integra shares underpinnings with the all-new Honda Civic and comes with the same engine as the Civic Si. It is a performance driver sports compact and offers more upscale features than its cousin, the Civic.

The 2022 Mazda 3 saw no major changes for the 2022 model year as far as mechanicals, but there are two new paint options available, and the new 2.5 S Carbon Edition package. The cost of the Mazda 3 has also gone up on all trims.

Performance

The all-new 2023 Integra delivers a driving experience you won't soon forget. It comes equipped with a 200-HP 1.5-liter 4-cylinder VTEC Turbo engine and sporty paddle shifters. Also available is a 6-speed manual transmission that is paired with a Rev-Match Control system that automatically calculates the optimum engine revs when you downshift, ultimately eliminating lurching when driving in manual.

An adaptive suspension system is available as well as the A-Spec model which adds Individual drive mode to the Integra's drive-mode selector, which allows you to save a customized setting. Other drive modes include Sport, Comfort, and Normal.

It is estimated that the 2023 Acura Integra will offer 26 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, with 30 mpg combined.

The base 2022 Mazda 3 comes with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine, though an upgraded 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four, and a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine is available on higher trims. Every Mazda 3 comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual is available in the Premium Hatchback FWD.

The EPA estimates that the Mazda 3 gets 28 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway.

Interior

Although the Integra shares many features with the Honda Civic, its cabin looks right at home in Acura's lineup. It comes with luxury amenities including:

●    Heated faux-leather seats
●    8-way power-adjustable driver's seat
●    A-Spec model offers an optional Technology package, faux-suede seat inserts, and 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat  
●    Available ambient lighting

The liftback design of the Integra creates a wide opening so you can access the 60/40-split rear seats. These seats fold flat providing enough cargo room to fit any lifestyle. It can seat five passengers comfortably and has 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk.

The Mazda 3's interior offers similar amenities, such as heated front seats and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat.

There is seating for five passengers and its cargo capacity is 20.1 cubic feet in the trunk in the hatchback model and 13.2 in the standard sedan.  

Other features include:

●    Frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror
●    60/40 split fold-down rear seats
●    Dual-zone automatic climate control
●    Cloth, leatherette, or leather seating

Technology

Technology is not lacking in the 2023 Integra. It comes equipped with a standard 10.2-inch digital gauge display and a 7.0-inch infotainment display for easy access to music, maps, and apps. A 9.0-inch display is an upgrade.

The larger touchscreen is part of the A-Spec Technology package which also includes a wireless chagrin pad, three USB-C ports, and a 5.3-inch head-up display.

All Integra models feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, but only the A-Spec Technology package offers wireless connectivity for these features. An eight-speaker stereo comes standard, but a 16-speaker ELS Studio premium stereo is available to upgrade.

The 2023 Mazda 3 comes with an 8.8-inch infotainment display, voice command, an eight-speaker stereo system, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. The display does not have touch capability, which means that you must control the system with a rotary knob in the center console.

 Other standard features include:

●    Push-button start
●    Remote keyless entry

Upgradeable features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a moonroof.

Safety

There are ample safety and driver-assistance features as standard features in the 2023 Integra including:

●    Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
●    Lane-keeping assist
●    Adaptive cruise control
●    Collision mitigation braking system
●    Road departure mitigation
●    Traffic sign recognition
●    Traffic jam assist

A-Spec models with the Technology package come with front and rear parking sensors as well. The 2023 Integra received a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) though other safety ratings are not yet available.

All trims of the 2022 Mazda 3 have a five-star rating from the NHTSA and were a Top Safety Pick for 2021 from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.

The suite of active safety features in the Mazda is part of its "i-Activsense" package. Included features are:

●    Standard automatic high beams
●    Lane keep assist
●    Adaptive cruise control
●    Blind spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring
●    Automatic emergency braking
●    Available traffic sign recognition
●    Available 360-degree camera system

Bottom Line

Though these compact sports cars are quite similar, the all-new 2023 Acura Integra edges out the Mazda 3 in this head-to-head test. With different driving modes to choose from, luxurious interior features, ample safety features, and an overall sporty feel, the 2023 Integra is our top choice!

Visit Acura of North Tampa

Ready to take the all-new 2023 Acura Integra for a test drive? Come visit our showroom at Maus Acura of North Tampa or give us a call at (813) 535-6287 to learn more about this amazing sports compact!