2023 Acura Integra vs. 2022 Audi A3: Nice Value, Need More Flavor

Buying a premium small SUV isn't the only way to show the world you're moving up in life. Used to be, getting a new small luxury car like the Acura Integra or Audi A3 was the principal way to make that flex. These days, that segment is growing again as automakers want to woo customers into their product families for not just one purchase, but many more down the road.

The A3 was redesigned for 2022 with a longer, wider, and taller body, plus revised styling, updated technology, and a standard mild hybrid turbocharged powertrain. Spicier related models include the S3 and top-spec RS3, but the A3 is the lineup's bread and butter.

The Integra was resurrected as a four-door for 2023 after a 22-year hiatus. It picks up where it left off with its first factory turbo engine, but we're still waiting for a higher-performance Type S to break cover.

Which of these luxury subcompacts is the smarter choice? Let's find out.

Each competitor is equipped with a turbocharged inline-four that makes about 200-ish horsepower. The A3's engine is bigger by a half liter, and additional differences include its 48-volt mild hybrid system, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel drive.

The displacement and hybrid system help the Audi develop 221 lb-ft of torque, a not insignificant 29 more than the Acura (although the Honda brand could be underreporting the car's output). For its part, the Integra leaves the factory with a 1.5-liter turbo-four, CVT automatic, and front-wheel drive (AWD isn't available). The A-Spec with Technology package we tested can also be ordered with a six-speed manual and limited-slip differential.

As expected given its torque advantage and AWD traction, the Audi is quicker in a straight line, reaching 60 mph from a standing start in 6.4 seconds and on through to the quarter mile in 15.0 seconds at 91.3 mph. The Acura needed another 1.2 seconds to get to 60 and completed the quarter in 15.9 seconds, albeit at a faster 92.9 mph. They exist in a segment that also includes the 2.0-liter turbo 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 AWD, that can reach 60 mph in about 6.0 flat.

Both transmissions—even the CVT—performed better than expected in terms of responsiveness and willingness to put down the power, but neither of these cars is particularly exciting to wind out, owing to the loud, unpleasant engine noises at high rpm.

Both of these premium compacts top the class in fuel economy. The Integra has the tiniest of advantages, rated for 1 additional city mpg than the A3, at 29/36 mpg city/highway. But the Audi will go farther on a single fill-up because it has a bigger tank. The A3 can also use cheaper regular fuel whereas the Integra requires premium unleaded.

Each car comes with front struts and a rear multilink suspension, as well as front and rear anti-roll bars. Our test cars also were equipped with optional handling upgrades, including adaptive dampers on the Integra A-Spec with Technology package. Our A3 had the Black Optic Sport package, which equips it with a sport-tuned suspension that lowers the car 0.6 inch. A set of 255/40-18 all-season tires connect the A3 to the road, while the Integra is shod with 235/40-18 rubber.

The Audi rides better regardless of speed, direction, or surface condition. It mitigates noise and vibrations better, too. The Acura was a mixed bag. It doesn't soak up imperfections with the same confidence and was the only one of our duo to reach the limits of its suspension travel over our evaluation loop's steep set of train tracks. There's also an unseemly amount of tire noise allowed into the cabin for a luxury brand. But refinement compromises for the Acura aside, body control is good on both vehicles. Both cars boast accurate and linear steering, but neither helm transmits much feel.

The Integra has bigger brake rotors and is lighter by almost 400 pounds, but it wears narrower and more touring-oriented tires, which results in a stopping distance from 60 mph of 121 feet—2 more than the A3 needed. Brake engagement is a little light on the A3 at the top of its pedal, but both competitors' brake systems are predictable and easy to modulate.

The Integra has the edge in interior space; it helps that it's both wider by a half inch (72.0 inches) and longer by 8.9 inches (185.8 inches). It's also a hatchback, and its rear door openings are wider than the Audi's.

Both seat five, but because of the Acura's sharper sloping roof, there's less headroom in back for rear passengers. That said, our taller editors were cramped in the back seats of both cars. The Integra also offers more than double the cargo space, 13.4 cubes more, for a total of 24.3 cubic feet.

Combing through each car's spec list, relative features-per-dollar value emerges. They share some standard items, like LED headlights, keyless entry, heated powered front seats, pushbutton start, a smartphone charging pad, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. But the Audi seems to skew more premium.

It has a panoramic roof compared to the Acura's smaller sunroof, as well as power-folding side mirrors the Acura doesn't offer at all. The A3 also has a three-zone climate control system to the Integra's dual-zone system, auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors (the Integra only gets an auto-dimming rearview mirror), and a 40/20/40 split-folding second-row seat back where the Integra's only splits 60/40.

The Audi's screens are larger, the central touchscreen most significantly. It's 1.1 inches bigger than the Acura's 9.0-inch display. But the Integra levels up infotainment and maybe even gets an advantage with the Technology package's 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D premium audio system. We like the soundscape provided by the speakers in the headliner, and it delivers remarkable fidelity at high levels without undercutting refinement.

All 2023 Integras get AcuraWatch active driver assist features that include automatic emergency braking, lane keeping systems, and adaptive cruise control. They're also equipped with standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and parking sensors.

Audi ADAS features for the 2022 A3 we tested include standard automatic emergency braking and lane keeping systems. With the top-tier Premium Plus package, it also receives blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a semi-autonomous parking system.

It's true that the Integra's cabin is just an upscale, more pleasant version of the current Honda Civic's, but it inherits some of that car's best parts, like the knurled metallic climate control knobs and their noticeable detents, the crosshatch vent trim, and simple, well-designed infotainment system. Both the A3 and Integra have leather-upholstered seats, but the Acura's are further trimmed with microsuede. The Integra also sports a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

It gets less great in the Integra the farther back you move. Rear passengers get two USB ports but no A/C vents, unlike the Audi; we also noted the cargo cover rattled. But the cargo area is huge, and there's both a side cubby with a net and underfloor storage.

The consensus on the A3's interior is that it's not as upscale as those in other Audis, which makes some sense given its position. But even taking that into consideration, the materials aren't up to par, especially the plastics in high-touch areas like the door handles. Some of our panelists also weren't fans of the amount of unused space on the center console. To the good, the seats are comfortable and the screens crisp and bright, and we appreciate the storage nets on the backs of both front seats. A little opulence or dashes of color would go a long way here—as well as in the Acura. As it is, it's not appreciably better than the Integra's, which comes from a premium brand rather than a luxury one like Audi.

Our 2022 A3 Quattro cost $37,895 to start. The Premium Plus gear added $3,300, to which was added the $850 Black Optic Sport package, an $800 18-inch wheel upgrade (17s are standard), and $595 Atoll Blue Metallic premium exterior paint. Its total price rang in at $42,440.

The base price for the 2023 Integra A-Spec is $33,895, to which the Technology package adds $3,000. The only option on our car was $500 in Liquid Carbon Metallic exterior paint, which raised the bottom line to $37,395. For the moment (and possibly a while), the Integra is the most affordable vehicle in the small luxury car segment.

The roughly $5,000 difference in price appears to fit the narrative that the A3 is the more premium vehicle. Not only does it offer a more refined ride and is quicker, but it also boasts more upscale features. But the Integra takes this comparison. In a class targeted at first-time luxury car shoppers, its excellent value is hard to ignore. Although little about the car punches above its price point, buyers will also enjoy more cargo area flexibility and better fuel economy. It's built on the great bones of the Civic, which help it emerge as the more well-rounded competitor, striking a nice balance between everyday practicality and a decent level of luxury.

Verdict: The Audi is the more athletic of the pair, but it falls short of its premium target, especially inside.

1st Place: 2023 Acura Integra

Verdict: The Integra proves luxury cars can be hugely practical and available at a price that doesn't require selling a kidney.