2023 Acura Integra vs 2024 Nissan Sentra

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 fresh 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. In Canada, the Integra was available in three trims: base, A-Spec, and Elite A-Spec, each with distinct wheel designs and performance all-season tires. The interior shared some similarities with the Honda Civic but maintained its unique identity with features like honeycomb grilles and a 9-inch colour touchscreen in the Elite A-Spec trim. Despite its premium status, the Integra lacked ventilated seats, and while it was well-built, it didn't quite match the bespoke refinement of its German competitors.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra received updated styling, with a wider grille blending into the headlights and chrome trim around the edges. The design aimed to create a longer, lower, and wider appearance, balancing flair with practicality. The Sentra's lineup in Canada included five trims: S, S Plus, SV, SR, and SR Premium, each offering distinct wheel designs and styling elements. The interior featured large round air vents inspired by the Z sports car and a plunging dashboard shape. The SR models boasted red-orange accent stitching and a flat-bottom steering wheel. While the material quality was typical for an entry-level car, the Sentra's design elements provided a distinctive look. Despite lacking a sport compact version, the Sentra maintained a pleasant driving experience with its focus on efficiency and comfort.

The 2023 Acura Integra marked a significant shift with its turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Honda Civic Si, offered a lively performance, especially when paired with the optional six-speed manual transmission available only in the Elite A-Spec trim. The manual transmission featured automatic rev-matching technology, making downshifts smooth and effortless. The Integra's handling was impressive, with a firm suspension providing a sporty ride and a variable-ratio electric power-steering system offering natural highway feel and sharp cornering. The car's wide track and long wheelbase contributed to its planted feel, although it was only available with front-wheel drive. The Integra also offered three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra, while not focused on performance, provided a pleasant driving experience with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, the Sentra offered a six-speed manual transmission on the S and SR grades, while a reengineered CVT aimed to improve fuel efficiency and smoothness. The Sentra's steering provided good feedback and precision, and the suspension offered a comfortable ride without excessive body roll. However, the CVT exhibited an unexpected surge of acceleration at around 70 km/h, which might have been a pre-production issue. Overall, the Sentra prioritized efficiency and comfort over sporty performance.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design enhanced its practicality, offering 688 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the high lift-over height made loading heavy or bulky items challenging. The interior provided ample space and comfort for front passengers, with a logical dashboard layout and smartly placed storage solutions. Rear passengers enjoyed decent legroom, but headroom was limited due to the steeply sloped roofline. Despite these limitations, the Integra's rear seat cushions were notably soft, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra offered a decent amount of interior space, particularly in the front row, where headroom and legroom were competitive with rivals. The Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional comfort, and the low dashboard and window sills offered excellent forward visibility. However, rear-seat legroom was less generous compared to competitors. The Sentra's interior featured practical storage solutions, including cupholders, a phone slot, and a change slot. While lacking all-wheel drive, the Sentra offered standard heated front seats and mirrors, with additional comfort features available in higher trims. The trunk provided 404 litres of space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat for added versatility.

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 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a premium ELS Studio 3D audio system with 16 speakers. The technology package in the Elite A-Spec trim elevated the Integra's tech offerings, making it a standout in its segment.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra offered functional technology, with the base S model featuring a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but wireless versions were not available. Higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch instrument cluster display, and a six-speaker audio system. The SR Premium trim offered an eight-speaker Bose audio system. While the Sentra's tech was functional, the graphics appeared dated compared to competitors, and the lack of wireless connectivity was a drawback.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a high standard for safety with its comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) available across all trims. Standard features included 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 2024 Nissan Sentra's safety ratings were incomplete at the time of publication, with mixed results from the IIHS. It received a "Good" rating in the original side-impact test but only "Acceptable" in the updated version. The Sentra's standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 included features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system.