5
0
Premium compact car; Built in Japan
  • 2-door hatchback
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $2,300*


1990 Acura Integra GS 2-door hatchback


1990 Acura Integra GS 2-door hatchback


1992 Acura Integra LS 4-door sedan


1993 Acura Integra GS 4-door sedan


1993 Acura Integra GS 2-door hatchback

Pros:
  • Acceleration (5-speed)
  • Antilock brakes (GS, GS-R)
  • Fuel economy
  • Handling/roadholding
  • Reliability
Cons:
  • Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)
  • Rear-seat room (3-door)

Well-known for reliability and solid construction, these competent front-drivers offer plenty of refinement. Resale values have been strong, so even these older Integras aren’t exactly inexpensive.

Overview

Bigger than the original Integra introduced in 1986 by Honda’s luxury division, the early ’90s replacement again came in hatchback coupe form but shared no major components with its predecessor. However, a longer 4-door notchback sedan replaced the original 4-door hatchback model. Space up front grew larger, while back-seat area shrunk a bit. The 2-door hatchback is a subcompact, while the 4-door–which measures 3.6 inches longer overall–ranks as a compact sedan.Three trim levels were originally offered: base RS, mid-level LS, and sporty GS. No airbag was available, but all Integras of this era have motorized front shoulder belts. They also have all-disc brakes and power rack-and-pinion steering. Antilock brakes were standard on the GS, but not available on lesser Integras.

Yearly Updates

1991 Integra
A power sunroof became standard on the GS 4-door for 1991. Leather upholstery could be installed in either the GS 3-door or 4-door.
1992 Integra
A mild facelift for 1992 included new front/rear bumpers, restyled wheels, and a revamped trunklid for the sedan. The 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine added ten horsepower. In spring 1992, a 160-horsepower performance-oriented GS-R hatchback appeared. Its 1.7-liter engine drove a special close-ratio 5-speed manual gearbox.
1993 Integra
A special-model LS featured leather upholstery, body-color side moldings, a rear spoiler, and performance tires on alloy wheels.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Acura enlarged the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine of the late-’80s Integra to 1.8 liters for the redesigned 1990 model. With four valves per cylinder, the new dual-overhead-cam engine developed 130 horsepower and 121 pound-feet of torque (a measure of rotational force, or pulling power). Again front-wheel drive, the car could have either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. The automatic had two electronically engaged shift modes: economy and performance, the latter with higher shift points. For 1992, engine output rose to 140 horsepower and 126 pound-feet. Then at midseason came the performance-focused GS-R hatchback, packing a smaller (1.7-liter) 4-cylinder engine that yielded greater horsepower (160), but a trifle less torque than its standard-fare mate. A special close-ratio 5-speed manual gearbox was the sole available transmission.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.8/112
Engine HP 130-140
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 121-126
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		25/31
23/29 		25.7
dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.7/102
Engine HP 160
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 117
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual

 24/29

 22.4

Road Test

Handling and roadholding are fine, if not quite as agile as the prior models. Integras hang on nicely around tight turns, suffering minimal body roll. Stopping power is especially impressive with the optional antilock braking. This car’s personality varies according to its transmission. Acceleration from the basic twin-cam 4-cylinder engine is brisk and zesty with the 5-speed gearbox, but not nearly so lively with 4-speed automatic. The high-performance GS-R model demonstrated that it was subjectively faster than other Integras. But that smaller engine stays very busy, thanks to short gearing that keeps it spinning on the high side of 3000 rpm. On the plus side, both transmissions deliver attractive fuel mileage: 23-25 mpg around town and past 30 mpg on the highway. Even a GS-R managed 22.4 mpg in rigorous city/suburban driving. Abundant engine/road noise and vibration, on the other hand, remind occupants that Integras are not quite in the same refinement league as the larger Legends. Visibility is fine; controls are sensible and fall easily to hand. Analog gauges are well-marked and unobscured. A low driving position emphasizes the Integra’s sporty nature. Seats are firm and supportive. The 4-door’s longer wheelbase shows up in additional rear leg room. Sedans seat four adults without cramping, but the 3-door’s rear seat is best for kids and cargo. Cargo space is improved by standard fold-down rear seats.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1992 Acura Integra GS

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 - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 6
60%
Ride Quality - 3
30%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 4
40%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 2
20%
Cargo Room - 5
50%

Other

Value - 8
80%

Total: 51

Specifications

2-door hatchback
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
100.4 172.9 67.4 52.2
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
16.2 13.2 4
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.5 34.7 41.8 28.6
4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
102.4 176.5 67.4 52.8
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
11.2 13.2 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.7 36.8 41.6 31.7
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1993 Integra 2-door hatchback

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

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 145
Injury 98
Theft 138

Trouble Spots

Alarm system
Description: The security-system controller picks up stray interference, which can make it malfunction so that the car will not start. The ROM chip in the controller must be replaced. (1990-93)
Automatic transmission
Description: Cars with automatic transmissions may not upshift, shift erratically, or suffer from no kickdown. The problem is debris in the modulator valve that sticks open flooding the shift solenoids. (1990-92)
Brakes
Description: The antilock brake modulator solenoid was prone to leaks, which sets an ABS trouble code number 1. (1990)
Clutch
Description: Cars with manual transmissions may suffer from short clutch life. Acura issued a revised clutch disc and pressure plate that wear longer. (1990-93)
Hard starting
Description: The fuel-pressure regulator may fail causing hard starting. (1990-93)
Oil leak
Description: Oil behind power-steering bracket is caused by a leaking camshaft seal. Chances are the timing belt is also contaminated by the oil and should be replaced. (1990-93)
Vehicle noise
Description: Squeaking noises may come from the rear of the car when going over bumps or speed bumps. The fix involves placing shims between the two rubber halves of the trailing-arm bushings. (1990-93)

Recall History

1990-91
Description: Front seatbelt release button can break and pieces can fall inside, causing improper operation.

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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