Compare the2023 Acura IntegraVS 2023 Mazda 3

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Integra are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Integra has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Integra has standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Mazda 3 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo offers rear cross-path warning.

Both the Integra and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Integra its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Mazda 3 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2023.

The Integra comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 3’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the Integra 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the 3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Mazda 3 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the Integra for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Integra’s reliability 12 points higher than the Mazda 3.

The Integra’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (200 vs. 191) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 186) than the Mazda 3’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura Integra is faster than the Mazda 3 4 cyl. (manual transmissions tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Integra gets better mileage than the Mazda 3 Sedan:

On the EPA test cycle the Integra gets better mileage than the Mazda 3 Hatchback:

The Integra has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Integra has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Integra’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 3:

For better traction, the Integra has larger standard tires than the Mazda 3 (215/50R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Integra A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (235/40R18 vs. 215/45R18).

The Integra’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard 60 series tires. The Integra A-Spec’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mazda 3 Hatchback/Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Integra has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 3 2.5 S.

The Integra has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the Acura Integra has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda 3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Integra has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Integra flat and controlled during cornering. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Integra offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Mazda 3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Integra has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Integra A-Spec Technology handles at .87 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Integra A-Spec Technology executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Integra a Large car, while the Mazda 3 is rated a Compact.

The Integra has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mazda 3 Sedan (95.8 vs. 92.8).

The Integra has 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

The Integra has a much larger trunk than the Mazda 3 Sedan (24.3 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Integra’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. The Mazda 3’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge (except wagon).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 15% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

The Integra’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the Integra’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Mazda 3’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Integra’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the Mazda 3 Carbon/Turbo.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura Integra and the Mazda 3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Integra as the 2023 North American Car of the Year. The Mazda 3 has never been chosen.