2026 Acura Integra: Which Engine Should I Choose?

The 2026 Acura Integra is unique among luxury sports sedans. Front-wheel drive (FWD), where most are rear-wheel drive (RWD), it can hold its own with European sports sedans but holds its value better than most. After all, it’s built on the bones of one of the world’s most dependable cars – the Honda Civic.

Like most other performance 4-doors, though, it’s offered with a choice of engines. Most trim levels get a 200-horsepower, 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. But high-performance Type S models get a 320-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder powerplant offered with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Here’s how to decide which is right for you.

What’s the Price Difference?

Price is a big deciding factor between these two.

The Integra starts at $34,695 (including a $1,295 destination charge). That gets you the 200-hp engine, and plenty of upscale equipment, like real leather on the steering wheel and heated front seats in leatherette.

If you want more luxury but don’t need more performance, you can step all the way up to the A-Spec with Technology Package trim, spend as little as $40,495, and get additions like an ELS Studio 3D audio system and Ultrasuede-trimmed seats (imagine suede that’s easier to care for).

The Type S commands a price premium, coming in at $54,695 after the delivery fee. But it has all the luxury and technology features of the A-Spec with Technology Package, plus performance equipment like Brembo front brake calipers, high-performance tires, and, of course, far more power.

Which Is More Efficient?

If fuel economy is your top priority, the most efficient option is the 1.5-liter engine combined with an automatic transmission. That’s good for 32 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The EPA estimates that the average American will spend about $1,800 per year on gasoline on that one.

The Type S model gets 24 mpg under the same circumstances, according to the EPA. But it’s important to note that the Type S comes only with a 6-speed manual. The EPA can provide fuel economy estimates for stick-equipped cars, but the driver’s skill plays a heavier role in how much fuel you use with a manual gearbox. The EPA sets the fuel cost at $2,400 per year for that one.

Which Is Faster?

Speed is the reason to buy the Type S.

In most tests, Integra sedans equipped with the 200-hp engine reach 60 mph from a stop in about 7 seconds. Type S models do it in about 5.7 seconds.

Type S versions also have a wider track and wear high-performance tires, so they out-grip the other Integra models. Last year, I had the good fortune to ride along with one of Honda’s Indy Car drivers in a Type S on a winding road course, and I was simply astonished to see how much grip the car has in the hands of a world-class driver.

Also note that the Type S comes only with a manual transmission, but it’s one of the most forgiving on the market. You don’t have to be an expert to drive this stick. It will help you become one.

Which Acura Integra Engine Is Better?

For most drivers, the 200-hp engine is more than enough. At legal speeds, the Integra is an easy car to have fun with, and the standard engine can be a lot of fun on a winding mountain road.

A price premium of as much as $20,000 is only worth the investment to a small percentage of shoppers. But if you know you’re in that group, the Type S is one of our favorite sports sedans on the market. It’s reliable and easy to live with day-to-day, but capable of extraordinary performance when the rare opportunity appears.

2026 Acura Integra Pricing