A manual transmission in a luxury car is a rare thing. Yes, BMW offers a stick shift with its M2, M3 and M4 cars. And the Acura Integra isn’t exactly the epitome of premium plushness, as it’s based on the Honda Civic. Even so, the 2025 Integra Type S is a fantastic machine that comes exclusively with a 6-speed manual. For which we should all be thankful.
Read the Manual
And what a manual transmission it is. It clicks through the gears with such easy precision, reminding me of those wonderful gearboxes of older Honda vehicles, like the S2000 sports car. I’m mentioning Honda here just in case anyone is unaware that Acura is that company’s luxury division. No one else can engineer a manual gearbox quite like Honda. I’m glad its technicians haven’t lost their magic touch.
In common with those now-classic self-shifters, this lever is topped with aluminum. Being a luxury marque, however, Acura has also wrapped it in leather. In addition, the clutch pedal has the ideal weight to it — not too heavy, not too light. The engine has an automatic rev-matching feature that smooths out downshifts and sounds really cool. And the clutch’s bite point is easy to find, which is great in slow traffic.
Inside Track
Not that slow traffic is the ideal scenario for an Integra Type S, but the car is civilized enough to make those situations bearable. The front seats are kind of sporty without being extreme. The dashboard design is pleasant and functional in equally high measure. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone integration is wireless, and so is device charging. This Type S comes with an upgrade over the usual Integra sound system in the form of a 16-speaker ELS setup, bearing the initials of Grammy-winning audio engineer Elliot Scheiner. One more plus: rear legroom measures 37.4 inches — noticeably more than the larger Acura TLX sedan. If I was to buy an Acura car, I’d be looking at this one before anything else.
Righteous Power
Especially because it has an absolute gem of an engine. This is the same unit as the one in the Civic Type R. That puts it among the most powerful production turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines in the world. Output is a gorgeously energetic 320 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, going just to the front wheels. I think this configuration is fine, as it results in virtually foolproof cornering abilities that are enhanced by a helical limited-slip differential. This is a great combination of muscle and hardware.
Drive the Integra Type S through a series of quick curves, and it soon becomes apparent that Acura/Honda has put some serious research and development into this model. It’s so capable, and the thrills are completely accessible. Because the car is front-wheel drive (FWD), it’s possible to adjust the cornering line just by modulating the throttle. This engine revs eagerly, and the manual transmission means being able to stay in a lower gear and shift whenever the driver wants to. Wonderful.
When it’s time to rein in that speed, the Integra Type S comes with Brembo front brakes, and there’s plenty of feel through the pedal. Funny how slowing down can actually seem satisfying. This is a little bonus to a 3-pedal setup — in addition to the performance of a brake upgrade.
Civics Test
For anyone intrigued by the Honda Civic Type R but would prefer something whose appeal is more mature and whose ride quality is more forgiving, the Acura Integra Type S comes highly recommended. Its starting price, however, is also appreciably higher ($8,200 in 2025). The Integra Type S has five more horsepower (same torque), which is pretty much immaterial. Both cars achieve 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving. I’d say the Type R is harder core, the Type S is more user-friendly. For example, Acura adds extra sound deadening and a better audio system.
The 2025 Acura Integra demonstrates the quality of its Civic foundation because it’s a credible compact luxury car. The Type S takes it to another level that’s equally convincing in its own way.
