Grassos Garage: The Acura Integra is back! – Boston Herald

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 3: The Acura Integra, August 3, 2022 in BOSTON, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Marc Grasso/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

Once a legend, always a legend.

Acura, Honda Motor Companys upscale brand, is known for delivering endless consumer satisfaction. For the past decade or so, the Acura ILX was the entry point for the Acura brand, and it sold well for them, selling especially well to those under 35. In doing so, it brought a lot of new buyers to the brand. For the 2023 model year, Acura is returning to its roots of Precision Crafted Performance with the all-new Acura Integra.

Welcome to Grassos Garage, the 2023 Acura Integra A-Spec, which starts with the same platform that underpins Honda Civic, just like its predecessor. The fifth generation Integra boasts a 1.5-liter turbo engine producing 200 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. Our A-Spec came with a six-speed manual transmission with rev matching to keep shifting a breeze, while the automatic transmission option was a continuously variable transmission. What a difference maker this is for the economy class, a game-changer in fact.

Exterior and interior accouterments show nicely with a rear lift door for tons of trunk space, while granting the most rear legroom and cargo volume in its class.

A standard 10.2-inch all-digital Acura Precision Cockpit instrument cluster with available heads-up display was present on our A-Spec with the Technology package while the center protruding 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system was very easy to use. Additionally, our tester came with the ELS Studio 3D audio system, this was literally like being at a Fleetwood Mac concert using the SiriusXM radio.

Visibility for the Integra came to mind as you can tell Acura did its homework, excellent visibility for both the driver and passengers. Red interior microfiber seat inserts, sports pedals and offsetting color stitching were just a few of the additions with the A-Spec package, while comfort topped the list. Spacious interior, 12-way power seats and available ambient lighting really hit home.

In the market these days, a $30,000 vehicle is almost unheard of, especially when trying to locate an upscale offering. Acura recognized this gap, and the Integra really does a stand-up job of filling it. I cannot think of another upscale vehicle in this category that offers what the Integra has to offer. In typical Acura form, a homerun again and one that will really do wonders for consumers for years to come. Readers always ask me to identify something out of sorts, different or just something I didnt like about the vehicle, well readers, here you go, not one thing comes to mind!

Grassos Garage is here for you! Are you in the market for a new car? I would be happy to provide my honest input. All you have to do is email me: marc.grasso@bostonherald.com.

MSRP: $30,800As tested: $36,895MPG: 26 city, 36 highway, 30.1 as tested

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Grassos Garage: The Acura Integra is back! - Boston Herald