2023 Acura Integra vs 2023 Hyundai Elantra

The 2023 Acura Integra was designed with a cohesive aesthetic that aligned with Acura's broader vehicle family, featuring a pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines. This design allowed the Integra to fit seamlessly alongside the TLX sedan and the RDX and MDX crossovers. With the introduction of the Integra, Acura phased out the ILX compact sedan, acknowledging the declining market for sedans. The Integra distinguished itself with a five-door liftback design, a nod to its third-generation predecessor, and a wide track that gave it a solid, planted appearance. In Canada, the Integra was available in three trims: base, A-Spec, and Elite A-Spec, each offering distinct wheel designs and performance all-season tires. The interior shared some similarities with the Honda Civic, maintaining cost efficiency without feeling like a mere re-skin. The Elite A-Spec trim featured microsuede inserts, though it lacked ventilated seats, and while it didn't match the bespoke refinement of German competitors, it was well-constructed.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra offered a diverse range of options, from the budget-friendly base model to the more upscale Luxury trim, which belied its price with a premium feel. The Elantra Hybrid, available as an option on the Luxury trim, provided impressive fuel efficiency. For driving enthusiasts, the sporty Elantra N Line Ultimate and the performance-tuned Elantra N were available, the latter developed with input from the Nürburgring and Namyang. The Elantra's exterior styling was somewhat polarizing, but its interior was well-received, featuring light grey leather seats and high-tech displays. The cabin was stylish and well-illuminated, though it did have some hard plastic elements. The Elantra Luxury's interior was anything but entry-level, offering a sophisticated experience for its price point.

The 2023 Acura Integra marked the first time Acura offered a turbocharged engine in this model, featuring a lively 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. The Elite A-Spec trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential, while lower trims came with a CVT. The Integra's manual transmission was enhanced by automatic rev-matching technology, making downshifting smooth and easy. The car's handling was impressive, with a firm suspension and a wide track that provided a planted feel through corners. The variable-ratio electric power-steering system offered a natural feel on highways and sharp responsiveness in corners. The Integra featured three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—each adjusting the car's adaptive dampers and steering feel.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Luxury, with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, wasn't designed for speed but offered a peppy driving experience. The CVT, or Intelligent Variable Transmission, was considered the best in its class. The Elantra Luxury achieved a fuel economy close to its official rating, averaging 7.1 L/100 km during testing. While the Elantra N Line Ultimate and Elantra N offered more advanced suspension systems, the standard setup in the Luxury trim provided a compliant ride and consistent handling. The Elantra's steering was not particularly quick or sharp, but the car remained stable and predictable over various road conditions. The brakes, while effective, did show some signs of heating during spirited driving.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design offered practicality with 688 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, though the high lift-over height could be a challenge for loading heavy items. The interior was spacious for front passengers, with a logical dashboard layout and smart storage solutions. Rear passengers had decent legroom, but headroom was limited due to the sloped roofline. The rear seat cushions were notably soft, providing comfort for passengers.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra balanced style with practicality, offering a roomy interior suitable for a family of four. The test vehicle featured proximity-sensing keyless entry and a comfortable leather-wrapped driver's seat. The Elantra Luxury included dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, though ventilated seats were not available in Canada. Rear-seat passengers might find the seating position too reclined, and the lack of rear air vents and USB ports was a drawback. The trunk provided 402 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free release feature and a 60/40-split folding back seat for added utility.

The 2023 Acura Integra came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Elite A-Spec trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display. The top-tier trim also included additional USB ports and the ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers, offering a superior audio experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment displays across several trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a wireless charging pad, though only Bluetooth supported a wireless connection. The system was user-friendly, though voice recognition had some limitations. The Elantra Luxury featured a Bose premium audio system, though it didn't match the sound quality of competitors. Digital Key technology allowed a compatible smartphone to function as the vehicle's key.

The 2023 Acura Integra offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Elite A-Spec trim added low-speed braking control and parking sensors. The Integra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra also provided a robust package of standard safety features, such as automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Elantra Luxury added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash protection.