Compare the2024 Acura IntegraVS 2024 Mazda 3

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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura Integra is safer than the Mazda 3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Acura Integra is safer than the Mazda 3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 7th.

The Integra’s standard 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. The Integra Type S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 70 more horsepower (320 vs. 250) than the Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda 3 4 cyl. (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda 3 4 cyl. (automatics 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:

The Integra stops much shorter than the Mazda 3:

For better traction, the Integra has larger standard tires than the Mazda 3 (215/50R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Integra Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda 3 (265/30R19 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 Sedan’s standard 60 series tires. The Integra Type S’ tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium’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 Sedan. The Integra Type S’ 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

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 Type S handles at .99 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Carbon Edition Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Integra Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.4 seconds quicker than the Mazda 3 Carbon Edition Sedan AWD (24.7 seconds @ .78 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 .6 inches more front headroom, 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. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Mazda 3’s useful trunk space (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.

The Integra’s standard Keyless Access System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Mazda 3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car. Push Button Start is not available on the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

The Integra’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Mazda 3 2.5 S’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

The Type S was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Mazda 3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

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.

The Acura Integra outsold the Mazda 3 by 5% during 2023.