Acura Versus Mazda

Comparing the 2023 Acura Integra A-Spec against the 2023 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo

by Isaac Bouchard

Mazda’s move upmarket lands it squarely in the space occupied by the first premium Asian car company: Acura. And the latest Mazda3 was one of the vehicles that clearly signaled its maker’s intent. On price, its top trim, 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus (phew, that’s a long-winded name!) costs within just a few hundred bucks of Acura’s loaded A-Spec with Technology Package (double phew!).

These two differ in some important ways, though: the Mazda is available as a four-door sedan or the bold-looking hatchback, AWD is optional, and there is 191hp, nonturbo engine. The Acura, based on the Honda Civic platform, comes only with front drive, though a limited-slip differential means it puts power down well and is an enjoyable hot hatch. The Acura’s automatic transmission is of the oft-reviled continuously variable type, whereas the Mazda3 uses the increasingly-rare, geared type. Whether auto or manual (only available with FWD in the lower, Premium trim), there are six speeds.

While Mazda’s stick shift is decent, the Acura’s is a paragon of precision and pleasure. The engine which it couples with, however, is substantially down on power and torque to the Mazda3’s, though: it’s 1.5-liter four produces 200hp/192lb-ft versus the 250hp/320lb-ft produced by the Mazda’s 2.5L. The Mazda weighs 400 pounds more than the svelte Integra, which helps the Acura from feeling slow, and its 7.0-second run to 60mph is not too shabby. But the Mazda3 does the same in a fast 5.6 seconds. The script is flipped on fuel economy, where the Integra shows its frugality with real-world numbers run roughly 5-7mpg better.

While both companies are known for making cars that reward a driver, in this case the Acura is the more enjoyable to toss around, due to its more responsive suspension and lighter weight. The steering in both is accurate and talkative in a way those from competitors are not, but the Integra suspension (with adjustable dampers) is more sophisticated than that under the Mazda3, and it shows over certain surfaces. Set against that, the Mazda is more refined, allowing in less road and wind noise.

This emphasis on refined progress is echoed in the interior furnishings. While both are well screwed-together, the Mazda’s overall material quality seems a notch or two higher, and its design is more upscale. It also has some options unavailable in the Integra, such as real leather and ventilated seats. The infotainment displays contrast as well, despite being of similar size. The Integra’s looks more basic and is set in a much more prominent location; some might say it is “tacked on” compared to the Mazda3’s slick-looking placement and precise graphics. But the Acura is a touch screen, which is more user friendly than having to twist a rotary dial—which Mazda makes you do—when one is using an Apple or Android phone. Other differences: the Acura is roomier; the humped tail of the Mazda eats into luggage capacity and causes rear seat occupants to have to duck under the door frames. The four-door Mazda3 solves for that, but then you lose the practical hatchback. On the ownership side, Acura has the better warranty, though statistically Mazda has been seen as slightly more reliable than Acura in some independent surveys.

In summation, here are two of the nicest and best value small hatchbacks out there. They both illustrate just how much more one pays for crossovers that have the same features. They both make excellent alternatives to entry-level Audi, BMW and Mercedes cars, too. The Mazda is the winner if one wants more of a grand tourer, while the Acura takes all the spicy fun of the Civic Si and adds a layer of polish, which will appeal to many.

 

Acura Integra A-Spec             Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus

EPA Ratings:                          26/26/30mpg                                    23/31/26mpg

0-60mph:                                 7.0sec                                                  5.6sec

Price as tested:                      $37,395                                               $37,095

Rating:                                       3.5 Stars                                              3.5 Stars

Here is what theysay:         Acura                                                   Mazda

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