2023 Acura Integra vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2023 Acura Integra was a testament to Acura's cohesive design language, seamlessly fitting into the brand's lineup with its pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines. It replaced the ILX compact sedan, offering a more modern five-door liftback design reminiscent of the third-generation Integra. The car's wide track and long wheelbase gave it a solid, planted look, while the embossed "Integra" name added a nostalgic touch. Inside, the Integra shared some similarities with the Honda Civic, but with enough unique features to maintain its premium feel. The Elite A-Spec trim level added microsuede inserts and a 9-inch colour touchscreen, enhancing the driving experience despite the lack of ventilated seats.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from 2015, with a sleeker nose and sharper LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger stood out with its vibrant colour palette and distinctive look, especially in the Scat Pack Swinger variant with its widebody kit and flared fenders. The interior, however, felt dated, with a small touchscreen and plasticky knobs. While the Nappa leather and Alcantara seats added some luxury, the overall feel was basic. The Swinger variant included unique green stitching and decals, but the interior space was tight, especially in the rear seats, and the trunk offered 470 litres of space.

The 2023 Acura Integra introduced a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The Elite A-Spec trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching technology, enhancing the driving experience. The Integra's handling was impressive, with a firm suspension and a variable-ratio electric power-steering system that provided a natural feel on highways and sharp responsiveness in corners. The car's three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—allowed for a customizable driving experience, although it was only available in front-wheel drive.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, on the other hand, offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing up to 300 horsepower. However, the real performance came from the Hemi V8 engines, with the Scat Pack's 6.4-litre V8 delivering 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcat models pushed the limits with up to 807 horsepower. Despite its size, the Charger handled well, with good front-end grip and precise steering. The ZF eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the braking system was exceptional, especially on the Scat Pack Widebody trims.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design offered practicality with 688 litres of cargo space, although the high lift-over height could be a challenge for loading heavy items. The interior was comfortable, with a logical dashboard layout and decent legroom for front passengers. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloped roofline, making it less ideal for taller passengers.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its size, felt cramped inside. The footwells were tight, and the transmission tunnel reduced rear legroom. Headroom was adequate for the author's 5-foot-11 frame, but rear passengers found it lacking. The trunk, however, was spacious at 470 litres. The Charger's controls were straightforward, with large buttons and switches for climate and audio systems, making it user-friendly.

The 2023 Acura Integra came equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster as standard. The Elite A-Spec trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and the ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers. The technology package made the Integra a strong contender in its segment.

The 2023 Dodge Charger featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and voice recognition. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed for customization of various performance settings, including throttle and steering. While the infotainment system was not the latest, it was user-friendly and offered essential features.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a high standard for safety, with features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control available across all trims. The Elite A-Spec added parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers. The Integra received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its age, performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars overall. However, many advanced safety features were optional, including forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The Charger lacked the comprehensive safety suite found in the Integra.