2024 Acura Integra vs 2024 Nissan Sentra

The 2024 Nissan Sentra received a styling update that enhanced its visual appeal. The wider grille seamlessly integrated with the headlights, which featured black interior bezel elements, and chrome trim accentuated the edges. Vertical elements resembling air vents were positioned at the front fascia's edges, creating a broader appearance. The Sentra maintained its balanced design, avoiding the eccentricity of some competitors while offering more flair than others. The lineup included five trims, with the SR models featuring 18-inch wheels and vibrant colour options like Electric Blue Metallic. Inside, the Sentra boasted large round air vents inspired by the Z sports car, a plunging dashboard, and distinctive red-orange accent stitching on the SR models.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S stood out with its widebody appearance and aggressive detailing. Sharing components with the Honda Civic Type R, it featured a redesigned front end to accommodate a wider front track, 19-inch alloy wheels, and aerodynamic aids. The rear track was also wider, with a lower body kit and rear fender flares. A triple-outlet exhaust system added a distinctive sound. The Integra Type S was available in a single specification, with options like bronze wheels and carbon fibre accents. Inside, it retained the Integra A-Spec's design with Type S emblems and Ultrasuede seat inserts, though some materials felt lacking for its price.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque, paired with front-wheel drive. In Canada, a six-speed manual transmission was available on certain trims, while a reengineered CVT aimed to improve fuel efficiency. The Sentra offered a pleasant driving experience with precise steering and a comfortable suspension, though the CVT exhibited an unexpected surge of acceleration at higher speeds.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S shared its turbocharged 2.0-litre VTEC engine with the Civic Type R, delivering 320 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It featured a six-speed manual gearbox, adaptive dampers, and performance tires. The Integra Type S was tuned for a more compliant ride compared to the Civic Type R, offering a thrilling yet comfortable driving experience. Despite its front-wheel-drive layout, it handled well with minimal torque steer, though it was noisy on highways.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra provided decent interior space, especially in the front, with comfortable Zero Gravity seats. It offered good front-seat legroom but lagged behind competitors in rear-seat legroom. The Sentra had 404 litres of trunk space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility. Heated front seats and mirrors were standard, with additional features available on higher trims.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S featured sport seats with Ultrasuede inserts and 12-way power adjustment for the driver. Rear-seat passengers had decent legroom but limited thigh support. The sportback design offered a 688-litre cargo area, expandable by folding the rear seats. Despite its sporty nature, the Integra provided practical utility akin to a small crossover.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra's tech offerings included a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model, with an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though not wireless. The SR Premium offered an eight-speaker Bose audio system. While functional, the graphics felt dated compared to rivals.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S came with a 10.2-inch digital display and a 9-inch infotainment screen. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D audio system, and a head-up display. The system was user-friendly, though the wireless charging pad was unreliable, and the audio quality varied with different sources.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra had mixed safety ratings, with "Good" and "Acceptable" scores from the IIHS and incomplete NHTSA ratings. It included Nissan Safety Shield 360 with features like forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Acura Integra Type S featured AcuraWatch with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It had ten airbags and parking sensors. While AcuraWatch performed well, it lacked some advanced features due to the manual transmission. The standard Integra received top safety ratings, suggesting strong performance for the Type S.