3
0
Premium compact car; Built in Japan
  • 2-door hatchback
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,600 – $9,800*


1995 Acura Integra GS-R 4-door sedan


1994 Acura Integra GS interior


1994 Acura Integra GS 2-door hatchback interior


1994 Acura Integra LS 4-door sedan


1995 Acura Integra Special Edition 2-door hatchback

Pros:
  • Acceleration (5-speed models)
  • Antilock brakes (LS, GS-R)
  • Fuel economy
  • Roadholding
  • Steering/handling
Cons:
  • Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)
  • No antilock brakes (RS)
  • Noise
  • Rear-seat room

Any Integra should be reliable, but high resale value means they’re not cheap secondhand. A Honda Civic actually offers many of the Integra’s appealing features, at a considerably lower price.

Overview

Dramatically redesigned for 1994, with dual airbags, the compact Integra 2-door hatchback coupe and 4-door notchback were based on the Honda Civic front-drive platform. Little-changed in dimensions or weight, the 2-door rode a wheelbase nearly two inches shorter than the sedan’s, and measured close to six inches shorter overall. Acura’s least-expensive model came in three levels: base RS, luxury LS, and sporty GS-R, each available in both body styles. All Integras have 4-wheel disc brakes, but only the LS and GS-R got standard antilock braking.

Yearly Updates

1995 Integra
A new LS Special Edition arrived for 1995, mixing the base engine with GS-R looks. Leather upholstery was featured, along with 195/55R15 tires on alloy wheels and a thicker stabilizer bar. Special Edition hatchback also got a rear spoiler.
1996 Integra
Except for minor equipment updates, not much was new for the ’96 Integras. The GS-R got new standard 15-inch alloy wheels, while the other two models gained fresh wheel covers.
1997 Integra
The Integra model lineup was juggled for 1997 and the audio system traded its standard cassette player for an in-dash CD player. Also, new alloy wheels were added to GS and GS-R models. The 4-door RS was discontinued, while the “GS” badge was placed on the former Special Edition model. Except for the RS, all were available in both body styles. As a result, the lineup ascended from RS through LS, GS, and GS-R after the start of the model year. Midyear, however, Acura unveiled a limited-edition Type-R, built off the GS-R but with a 195-horsepower engine.
1998 Integra
Minor trim revisions marked the change from the 1997 to 1998 model year for the Integra line.
1999 Integra
The Integra model lineup was trimmed for the ’99 model year. Gone were the high-performance Type R and RS hatchback coupe, leaving the LS, GS, and GS-R in 2- and 4-door form. LS models added 15-inch alloy wheels (replacing 14s), plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. GS-Rs replaced cloth upholstery with standard leather.
2000 Integra
The high-performance Type-R returned to the Integra lineup this year, with newly standard air conditioning and the 195-horsepower engine. All Integras gained a standard antitheft engine immobilizer and 100,000-mile tune-up intervals.
2001 Integra
No significant changes were made for 2001.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Base RS and luxury LS Integras carry a 142-horsepower, 1.8-liter dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder engine. Essentially the same as that installed in previous-generation Integras, it develops two more horsepower. A new and different dual-cam 1.8-liter engine, similar in size but more potent, powers the GS-R. That one employs Honda’s VTEC (variable valve-timing) system and makes 170 horsepower. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard on all models. All except the GS-R could have an electronic 4-speed automatic transmission instead. In 1997, Acura introduced a highly modified version of the 1.8-liter from the GS-R for its high-performance “Type-R” model. All-new connecting rods are hand-torqued, ports are hand-polished, while a new forged-steel crankshaft comes with counterweights made with special metallurgy techniques to reduce vibration and bending fatigue. The revised engine includes oval intake springs, dual-exhaust valve springs, thin-stemmed valves and lighter die-cast aluminum pistons with molybdenum-coated skirts. Additional oiling passages and new crowns help boost the compression ratio from 10.0:1 to 10.6:1. In addition, a special camshaft gives higher lift and longer overlap to match a bigger-bore exhaust and freer-breathing exhaust manifold, which features a single wide runner per cylinder rather than smaller twin passages. Finally, the crackle-red finish on the engine’s cam cover help set it apart visually from the GS-R’s engine.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.8/112
Engine HP 142
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 127
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		25/31
24/31 		25.0
dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.8/109
Engine HP 170
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 128
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual

 25/31

 28.3
dohc I41
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.8/110
Engine HP 195
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 130
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual

 25/31

 25.7

1. This highly modified Integra engine is only available on limited-production Type-R models, and comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. No Type-R models were available in 1999.

Road Test

Integra engines rev like crazy, but lack enough low-end torque to perform with much zest with the automatic transmission. All Integras are swift with the 5-speed. When equipped with the automatic, progress slows considerably and the transmission constantly shifts between gears. Fuel economy is great. Our test LS averaged nearly 25 mpg in city/freeway driving, and a GS-R yielded an even more frugal 28.3 mpg. Both engines generate lots of noise at higher speeds, but cruise quietly. Tire hum is evident on all but mirror-smooth surfaces. Each Integra corners adeptly, with a bit less body lean than before and almost no front-drive “plowing,” helped by sharp steering. The ride is slightly smoother than before, and the car’s overall “feel” is stouter. However, hatchbacks in particular still tend to bounce and jiggle on freeways, due in part to their shorter wheelbase. If you’re fortunate enough to get your hands on a 1997 or ’98 “Type-R” Integra, or the revived 2000 edition, you’ll be in for the ride of your life. This limited-production model comes equipped with a highly modified 195-horsepower version of the 1.8-liter GS-R engine, sport-tuned suspension, and meaty 195/55VR/15 tires. Expect brisk acceleration, in the mid-6s. Built for performance, the Type-R omits some creature comforts (A/C for instance) and sound insulation to lose weight. Consequently, expect a noisier and bouncier ride than you get in other Integra models. Passenger space in the hatchback models isn’t as good as in the Honda Civic hatchback. Medium-size people will fit fine up front, but only preteens are welcome in back. Because of its longer wheelbase, the sedan is roomier and more practical for buyers who often carry more than one passenger. Cargo room in the coupe is unexceptional. The glovebox offers scant space for anything other than the owner’s manual. You can expect fine interior ergonomics and gauges in a typical Honda/Acura dashboard.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1995 Acura Integra LS

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 7
70%
Ride Quality - 4
40%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 4
40%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Rear - 3
30%
Cargo Room - 6
60%

Other

Value - 8
80%

Total: 55

Specifications

2-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
101.2 172.4 67.3 52.6
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
13.0 13.2 4
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.6 35.0 42.7 28.1
4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
103.1 178.1 67.3 53.9
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
11.0 13.2 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.9 36.0 42.2 32.7
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1999 Integra 2-door hatchback

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 159
Injury 122
Theft 996

Trouble Spots

Air conditioner
Description: The air conditioner may stop working because the drive belt has come off the pulley. (1994-01)
Trunk latch
Description: The rear hatch may be hard to close because the rubber stops are too tall. (1994-95)

Recall History

1994
Description: Retaining clip at automatic transmission can come off, so position of lever does not match actual transmission gear range.
2001
Description: Passenger-airbag module may not have been properly welded and may not deploy in a collision.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on May 9, 2014.
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