2026 Acura Integra vs. Audi A3 Comparison

A subcompact luxury sedan is an excellent introduction to the luxury car experience. The 2026 Acura Integra and Audi A3 are two of the best introductions a driver could ask for.

Each is the least expensive sedan their respective brand produces, and both give the prestigious air, sporty style, and crisp handling of a luxury sports sedan for a relatively affordable price.

The Integra is based on the excellent Honda Civic platform, with a sleek hatchback roofline and Acura’s signature angular look. Acura resurrected the Integra for the 2023 model year after a long hiatus, but it still looks fresh, and its name evokes a certain nostalgia for those of us who came of age in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Audi A3’s current design is one year older, but has kept up with the times. A 2025 model year makeover gave it an updated look. Its best trait is Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.

Either one could make a great first luxury car, but their virtues are distinct enough to warrant a deeper examination.

2026 Acura Integra

The term “luxury car” can evoke images of significant depreciation and high maintenance costs. The 2026 Acura Integra saves you from those issues, adding a new level of luxury to dependable Honda Civic bones. It’s one of the most fun front-wheel-drive (FWD) cars on the road, and the available high-performance Type S variant turns the fun dial up to 11.

Acura Integra Highlights

Fun and fuel-efficient engines: Most 2026 Acura Integra trims use a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, sending 200 hp to the front wheels. It’s plenty powerful for a fun trip on a winding road, and returns an EPA combined 32 mpg. It comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) in most trim levels. A 6-speed manual with rev-matching is optional on the A-Spec with Technology trun, and is the only gearbox in the Type S. The Type S gets a 320 hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine worthy of the track.

Value: Starting at $34,595, the 2026 Integra is a luxury car not much more expensive than a mainstream car. Even higher trims don’t break the bank. The A-Spec with Technology adds much of the same equipment as the Type S, without its fire-breathing engine, and barely breaks the $40,000 barrier.

Cargo space: Despite its petite proportions, the Integra is surprisingly roomy and practical. Its wide-opening hatch swings upward to reveal a handy 24.3 cubic feet of trunk space, which gets even more accommodating when the 60/40-split folding rear seats are folded forward.

Read our Acura Integra Review or see 2026 Acura Integra for sale near you  

2026 Audi A3

The Audi A3 starts at $41,395, making it one of the most affordable ways to get into a European luxury car. With Audi’s legendary quattro AWD system, it grips like a powerlifter, no matter if the road is wet or dry. Even the least expensive versions come with a 7-speed automatic transmission – a boon for those who don’t like the feel of a CVT.

Audi A3 Highlights

Cabin quality: Even the base model A3 features real leather seating surfaces, tri-zone climate control, and a power panoramic sunroof. It’s all laid out with a luxury car’s fit and finish. Stepping up to the S3 or RS 3 adds sportier interior styling without compromising that great build quality.

Virtual Cockpit: Available on the Premium Plus trim level and on up, this highly configurable digital instrument display helps A3 drivers keep their focus on the road ahead. We also like the crystal-clear navigation commands.

High Performance S3 and RS 3 models: The base A3 is fun to drive, with its standard 201-hp turbo 4-cylinder engine. But the S3, with its 328-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder, is a true performance car. The RS 3, which features a 401-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, is one of the most powerful sedans available in a subcompact size.

Read our Audi A3 Expert Review or see 2026 Audi A3 for sale near you 

Similarities

The 2026 Acura Integra and Audi A3 each offer sports sedan performance and luxury accommodations at lower prices than nearly anything else on their respective lots. Their base engines are almost identical, and each comes in a high-performance trim if you’re willing to spend a bit more.

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2026 Acura Integra vehicles and New 2026 Audi A3 vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.

Specifications

Conclusion

Few buyers would be unhappy with either of these cars. Both are more fun to drive than a mainstream car, but don’t cost much more.

Of the two, the Integra is the better value and tends to enjoy stronger resale values. Its slightly larger wheelbase and hatchback shape give it more cargo space, too.

Its available excellent, forgiving short-throw stick is one of our favorite manual transmissions in a world where 3-pedal driving is growing harder to find.

Its Type S model is one of the most affordable high-performance trims and is a genuine riot to drive.

The pricier A3 feels a touch more sumptuous, with genuine leather at every trim level. It also offers standard AWD that might make its higher price worthwhile in the snowbelt.

It’s available S3 is the equal of the Type S, and the RS 3 could run away from the Acura at track day – but its $60,000-plus price tag puts it in another category.

Either one could be a great buy. We’re swayed by the value argument of the Integra in most cases, but could see choosing the A3 in some areas of the country, and the RS 3 if budget is no concern.