A good battle all issues thought of
Most of you already know that Acura is the luxurious/efficiency model from Honda. Fascinating little bit of historical past: among the many spinoff manufacturers from Japan (Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura), Honda was the very first to ascertain Acura again in 1986. The others got here alongside about three years later. What many don’t know is that Mazda wished an analogous extension of their model referred to as Amati a few years again. Whereas that by no means materialized, the model managed to maneuver a bit upmarket. Now, many Mazda merchandise are knocking on the door of higher-end Asian and European manufacturers. On the similar time, Acura is constructing extra automobiles just like the Integra and ADX which can be tempting value-conscious customers.
Sure, each the Mazda 3 and the Acura Integra have hotter, dearer variations. Mazda presents a turbocharged 250 horsepower powertrain, which comes customary with all-wheel drive (AWD), whereas the Acura Integra Sort S has a turbocharged 310 hp engine and an aggressive suspension setup, which is much extra track-oriented. These fashions don’t compete in opposition to one another, however the entry fashions actually do.
Mazda 3 Sedan ($24,150)
The 2025 Mazda 3 comes customary with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed automated transmission, except you get the top-of-the-line Mazda 3 front-drive hatchback, which has an non-obligatory 6-speed handbook transmission. AWD is offered, however provided that you get the upper trims with the turbocharged engine. The non-turbo engine is rated at 27 mpg metropolis and 37 mpg freeway, however the hatchback (which has a $1,000+ premium) is barely decrease.
Many discover the outside and inside design of the Mazda 3 to be top-notch. Mazda’s KODO design is meant to evoke a way of movement and emotional stimulation. I’ll say that the minimalist design has a sense of Italian and hints of German in essentially the most constructive means. It’s placing, nevertheless it’s not everybody’s cup of tea. Nonetheless, it feels like a dearer automobile, in and out. I might most likely go together with the $26,540 Mazda 3 2.5 S Most well-liked sedan because it comes with heated entrance seats, sliding glass moonroof, nicer wheels, and extra security options, amongst different goodies. The AWD turbocharged Carbon S Turbo (which is the entry level for the AWD turbo) begins at $32,300.
The usual 10.25-inch infotainment display screen takes time to get used to, because it’s primarily managed by means of a dial positioned south of the gear lever. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are customary, and even the bottom mannequin’s six-speaker sound system gives good audio. Seating supplies are wonderful, with a substantial amount of care being put into all the elements’ really feel and placement. If there may be any weak level to the Mazda 3’s inside design, it’s all the way down to rear house. Passenger house within the again seat is a bit tight, and the cargo house within the sedan is 13.2 cubic ft, which is enough. The hatchback has a most of simply over 47 cu-ft of cargo house, which is on the decrease aspect for the category.
Acura Integra ($33,000)
The 2025 Acura Integra comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. It’s linked to a constantly variable transmission (CVT), except you get the A-Spec w/Expertise 6MT, which (clearly) comes with a handbook transmission. There is no such thing as a AWD possibility, so all Integras include front-wheel drive. Those that need AWD ought to most likely have a look at the Acura ADX, because it’s considerably based mostly on the Integra. The EPA-estimated gas financial system for the Integra is 30 mpg metropolis and 37 mpg freeway. The Integra A-Spec with Expertise Package deal, with the handbook transmission, is rated at 26 mpg metropolis and 36 mpg freeway.
Many really feel that the Acura Integra’s exterior design is a bit polarizing. The nostril is all Acura, however the rear may look a bit gentle for some. When you step as much as the $52,900 Sort S, your complete design turns into onerous and street-aggressive. Nonetheless, that’s a totally totally different animal, and I might goal for the $38,000 A-Spec w/Expertise 6MT should you wish to row your personal gears. This offers you nice bang for the buck whereas nonetheless offering a nice every day commute.
Providing customary Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Integra presents a normal 7-inch digital infotainment touchscreen, which is unquestionably small. The non-obligatory 9-inch touchscreen comes with the Expertise Package deal, and it’s much better. At the very least all fashions come customary with a ten.2-inch digital gauge cluster. The legroom within the again seating space is much extra beneficiant than the Mazda’s, whereas the cargo space measures 24.3 cu-ft behind the rear seats. The inside of the Acura Integra is nicer than the Honda it’s based mostly on, however lacks the sophistication of the Mazda’s design.
Driving each head-to-head
Should you drive the $30,850 Mazda 3 Hatchback 6-speed handbook immediately in opposition to the Acura Integra A-Spec w/Expertise 6MT, you is likely to be shocked how they each behave. The Acura prices about $8,000 extra, but it doesn’t really feel prefer it must be that rather more costly. It’s extra athletic, and the engine tuning is extra aggressive, nevertheless it feels no extra refined than the Mazda. The truth is, the Mazda 3 has a smoother journey and a quieter inside.
However, the Acura is rather more partaking to drive, particularly should you’re on the lookout for enjoyable. It’s faster, and its 0 to 60 mph time of about 7 seconds is sort of 1/2 a second quicker than the Mazda 3 handbook. The Acura’s adaptive dampers improve dealing with and solidify the journey, one thing that may’t be stated for the Mazda. Steering response in each vehicles is on the high of their class, however the Acura feels extra dialed in, as if it’s speaking higher.
Last ideas
This can be a robust selection. The Acura is a ton of enjoyable to drive, and it presents numerous usable house together with a thrifty and keen engine. However, the Mazda is extra luxurious, offering a extra refined expertise, and it’s cheaper. Each are excellent, and it makes me marvel the place Mazda can be if that they had truly gone forward with constructing their very own luxurious/efficiency model many years in the past.
