The Acura Integra Prototype made its official debut this week – providing us with an early look at the future Cadillac CT4 rival before it enters production next year.
While officially referred to by Acura as the Integra Prototype, the vehicle seen here is largely representative of the production-ready Integra, which will go on sale for the 2023 model year. Positioned as a sporty five-door liftback, the Acura Integra will look to court driving enthusiasts with its available six-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential and turbocharged 1.5-liter VTEC engine. The automaker has not yet revealed the Integra’s horsepower output or other key performance statistics.
The Acura Integra Prototype debuted in an eye-popping Indy Yellow Pearl exterior color, which is a nod to the Phoenix Yellow color that was offered on the 2000-2001 Integra Type R. Other highlights of the pre-production model include matte-finish 19-inch split-five spoke wheels, Brembo brakes and color-keyed Indy Yellow brake calipers. An abundance of gloss black-painted accents, like the roof, decklid spoiler, mirror caps, rear diffuser and front grille, help communicate the vehicle’s sporty character, while a lower-sill graphic boldly displays the Integra name for passersby to see.
The 2023 Acura Integra will enter production at Honda’s Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio sometime next year, with prices set to start at “around $30,000.” When it does arrive, the Integra will serve as a direct rival to the Cadillac CT4 – another small compact sport sedan aimed at driving enthusiasts. Unlike the Acura Integra, though, the Cadillac CT4 is not available with a manual in standard form. Only the ultra-performance Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing offers three pedals and a six-speed, but this model is much more capable and costly than the Integra will be and is therefore not comparable to the future five-door liftback.
2021 Cadillac CT4 Sport
Other potential Acura Integra rivals include the VW Golf GTI and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, as well as other sporty, premium non-hatchback vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz CLA, BMW 2 Series and Audi A3.
We’ll have all the details on the production-ready 2023 Acura Integra once they become available. In the meantime, feel free to discuss how this future Acura model might stack up to the Cadillac CT4 in the comments down below.
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Comments
… ugly.. CT4 is nicer…
“Other potential Acura Integra rivals include the VW Golf GTI and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, as well as other sporty, premium non-hatchback vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz CLA, BMW 2 Series and Audi A3.”
Amazing, Cadillac is the only RWD car of the bunch (aside from two-door versions of the BMW 2 series). My my how times have changed!
The question is moot.
Some specs will seem to align on paper, but I really don’t see these 2 cars being cross-shopped, at any trim level or price point. Having both cars labeled as ‘compact’ sport sedans, targeted to enthusiasts, and starting prices within $5000 of each other does not make them direct competitors. You may as well start thinking of the new Golf R as a direct competitor for the CT4-V because they’re both targeted to enthusiasts, have near-identical starting prices, and 0-60 times.
Front of the CT4 is way more epic! Rear is a win for Integra!
CT4 is one of the best looking Cadillac cars, especially the front fascia. Almost has a similar swag as 2011 Chrysler 300 without being a Euro copy cat.
Integra is very nice but is more a sporty Buick rival if GM were to allow Buick to better compete with Japanese premium brands. I like the profile and lift back. Verano needed an athletic design like this.
It’s time for GM to just acquire Honda and run it separately like Hyundai-Kia. GM would gain access to the Japanese and European market which is important if a trade war or real war break out with China that would more than half General Motors scale making it chiefly an Americas company.
competition brings the best out of us. I love the CT4-V, I hope this pushes Cadillac to be even better.
Like the basic Honda Civic, the Acura Integra is a front-crawling drive. The big tailgate is the only difference. The competitors are the VW Jetta, Audi A3 Sedan and Toyota Corolla Sedan and others with front-wheel drive.
I find the comparison here with a Cadillac inappropriate and funny because their competitors are only BMW and Mercedes! THANKS!
Absolutely correct. Driving dynamics are completely different. I’ve driven many FWD cars and own none.
Not as exciting as I was hoping for. Just a gussied up Civic and nowhere near what it once was.
I don’t see any strong indications that the Acura Integra is a “rival” to the CT4. The limited specs released for the Integra have little to no comparison to CT4 specs.
That thing us fugly.
IT’S A CIVIC 5 DOOR WITH THE SI 200 HP MOTOR AND A HIGHER PRICE BECAUSE IT HAS AN ACURA BADGE
NO COMPETITION FOR THE CT4-V OR BLACKWING