2024 Acura Integra Kind S performs nicely with children and adults

Caught behind a dump truck going 14 mph by way of one of many cities that dot Hwy 154 in Southern California, I can’t assist however suppose Acura is promoting the 2024 Integra Kind S brief on this primary drive program. I shouldn’t be pissed off by slowpokes. I needs to be negotiating the corkscrew at Laguna Seca

Not all of this route is so tame—it opens up into some enjoyable canyon roads later—however it is a road drive as an alternative of a monitor drive as a result of Acura is touting the Integra Kind S as a extra mature road automobile than the associated Honda Civic Kind R, which is billed as a monitor machine. The Civic Kind R could also be barely sharper, however the Integra Kind S isn’t any much less succesful and extra inviting in addition.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

Acura Integra Kind S: Rowdy energy

The Integra Kind S and Civic Kind R share a fundamental construction, a powertrain, and suspension. Even the tires are the identical proper right down to the scale and model.

The engine is the one aspect of the Integra Kind S that has a sharper edge than the Civic Kind R, however solely barely. It’s the identical 2.0-liter turbo-4 with the identical 25.2 psi of increase that provides it unbelievable energy. Right here, it makes 320 hp at 6,500 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque from 2,600-4,000 rpm. That beats the Civic Kind R by 5 hp, however Acura says the Integra Kind S can also be programmed for higher mid-range torque.

The Integra Kind S can launch from 0-60 mph in a tad over 5 seconds, and right here it’s chomping on the bit to run free and unfettered from visitors. It’s a torque-rich engine with sturdy responses from a cease. It’s additionally responsive within the mid-range and all the way in which as much as its 7,000-rpm redline, although any distinction between the Kind S and Kind R would require back-to-back drives that aren’t obtainable right here.

Just like the Civic Kind R, getting the Integra Kind S to launch arduous is hard, as energy goes solely by way of a 6-speed guide transmission to the entrance wheels and Acura offers no launch management perform.

I strive a few arduous begins and discover it’s finest to launch at about 2,000 rpm with about three-quarter throttle. Revving a lot increased than that causes the wheels to spin whenever you come off the clutch, and Acura has an rpm cut-off at 3,400 rpm that retards the ability. The entrance finish reacts admirably, too, giving solely the trace of torque steer and not using a arduous pull to at least one facet or the opposite. Acura limits torque steer with equal-length half shafts, a mechanical limited-slip differential, and a dual-axis MacPherson strut entrance suspension that separates the knuckles and dampers.

The engine is even chattier than within the Kind R, no less than from the surface of the automobile. It has basically the identical exhaust system because the Honda with a single exhaust valve and three center-mounted 4.3-inch retailers, but it surely lacks the Honda’s entrance resonator and thus the louder sound. That sound is available in two phases, because the valve opens at increased rpm with the automobile within the Consolation drive mode, decrease rpm in Sport mode, and at all times stays open in Sport Plus. Sport Plus additionally triggers some pops and bangs from the exhaust on downshifts, upshifts, deceleration, or when revving the engine.

From the driving force seat, the engine actually makes its offended beehive noises heard, however they don’t intervene with dialog as a result of the Integra has extra sound deadener than the Civic. I didn’t even discover the pops and bangs, or the sound of the blow-off valve, till I rolled down the home windows.

The guide transmission is a typical Honda/Acura delight, with brief throws, optimistic engagement, and an awesome really feel by way of its metallic and leather-based shift knob. My solely criticism is a light-weight clutch with a excessive engagement level that requires just a few shifts to get used to.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

Acura Integra Kind S: Entrance-drive surprise

The Integra Kind S’s front-wheel-drive structure additionally isn’t perfect for dealing with, however you wouldn’t understand it by driving the automobile. It takes its place with the Civic Kind R as the most effective dealing with front-wheel-drive automobiles in the marketplace.

Acura upgrades the usual Integra to get there. In becoming the completely different suspension parts from the Civic Kind R beneath the Integra, Acura engineers widened the entrance monitor 3.5 inches and the rear monitor 1.9 inches. The tubular entrance stabilizer bar is 2 mm wider at 29 mm, and the strong rear bar is 2 mm wider than the one on the A-Spec Integra at 20.5 mm. The multilink rear suspension additionally has high-rigidity knuckles and distinctive bushings produced from a fabric Acura wouldn’t disclose. All of it reacts by way of a sport-tuned model of the Integra’s three-way adjustable dampers. The physique construction hasn’t modified, however Acura provides extra bonding materials.

The suspension makes room for greater wheels and tires because the Kind S rolls on 265/30R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ss mounted on 19×9.5-inch wheels at every nook. The wheels could also be greater than the A-Spec mannequin’s 18s, however they’re 6.5% lighter.

Whereas the variable steering ratio is definitely barely slower than on different Integras, it’s nonetheless very fast with a ratio that ranges from 11.62:1 at full lock to 14.9:1 on middle. The brakes additionally develop 1.5 inches up entrance to 13.8 inches with Brembo 4-piston calipers and 0.9 inch within the rear to 12.0 inches with single-slot calipers.

With energy despatched solely by way of the entrance wheels, these Michelins need to handle the acceleration and steering, and carry a lot of the braking power, they usually do all of it nicely.

The open canyon roads I expertise later within the day reveal a lot however not all the hatchback’s dealing with prowess.

Like different Integras, the Kind S has weighty, direct steering that companies up much more at freeway speeds to enhance high-speed stability. The automobile turns in to corners rapidly, and the rear finish follows alongside dutifully. It waterbugs by way of ess turns, and places its energy down effectively when accelerating out of corners because of the broad tires and limited-slip diff.

These tires can solely accomplish that a lot, although, so balancing the burden for turning, accelerating, and braking is necessary. When an excessive amount of pace makes it push in a nook, letting off the throttle or a small dab of brake tucks the nostril in properly to carve by way of the flip. When exiting a nook too quick, it should run broad, however rather less throttle will get it again on monitor.

That is all straightforward to really feel because of somewhat little bit of physique lean, regardless of the damper setting, by way of the well-tuned suspension. In every of the three damper modes—Consolation, Sport, and Sport+—the Integra Kind S is a half step softer than the Civic Kind R’s suspension, which we discovered created a too-busy journey on damaged pavement. Consolation offers an on a regular basis snug journey high quality, Sport+ borders on arduous over bumps, and Sport is the candy spot for twisty roads.

General, the Kind S feels prefer it has all of the efficiency of the Kind R. It will most likely put up about the identical time round a monitor like Laguna Seca, but it surely’s extra snug on the road. That matches with the automobile’s extra grown-up character, which can also be mirrored in its seems to be and gear.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

Acura Integra Kind S: The grown-up selection

The Integra Kind S sports activities quite a lot of exterior modifications to enhance efficiency.

Up entrance, it wears a bigger, extra open grille with a diamond-pattern mesh and 170% extra airflow than different Integras. This air cools the engine and flows by way of a vent within the aluminum hood for carry discount. The decrease fascia has bigger air intakes with areas for brake cooling and canards that assist create air curtains across the entrance wheels.

Wider decrease sills match wheel flares that make the automobile 2.8 inches wider than different Integras, and the rear finish has an built-in lip spoiler and a gloss-black diffuser with triple center-exit exhaust finishers.

The modifications give the Integra Kind S a purposeful stance that doesn’t stray too far into boy racer territory thanks largely to the dearth of a Civic Kind R-like rear wing. That will imply the Acura has barely much less downforce on a monitor than the Honda, but it surely’s a good worth to pay to drive a automobile with a design that workout routines clever restraint.

2024 Acura Integra Kind S

The inside modifications a lot much less. The seats have the identical design as in different Integras however they get firmer bolsters, artificial suede inserts, and distinction stitching. Heated and with 8-way energy changes and 4-way energy lumbar changes, they’re sporty and cozy seats, however they aren’t as aggressive because the Recaros and extra excessive sport seats supplied by different producers. Larger people will recognize that, however smaller folks might not; I like them. The rear seat is formed for 2 passengers as an alternative of the usual three of different Integras.

The inside additionally encompasses a perforated leather-based steering wheel and shift knob, an artificial suede shift boot with coloured stitching, and a decrease sprint that’s color-matched to the client’s selection of Crimson, Ebony, or Orchid inside colours.

Acura additionally outfits the Kind S with luxurious automobile ranges of ordinary gear, together with a ten.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.0-inch touchscreen, a head-up show, 16-speaker ELS audio, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wi-fi smartphone charging.

Normal security options include blind-spot displays, rear cross-traffic alerts, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, energetic lane management, adaptive cruise management, entrance and rear parking sensors, and visitors signal recognition.

This all comes for a worth of $51,995 together with an $1,195 vacation spot charge. That’s about $10,000 greater than the Civic Kind R, which received the Motor Authority Finest Automotive To Purchase 2023 award. Nevertheless, the Integra Kind S is extra civil than the Civic and higher geared up. It may well additionally seemingly carry out simply as nicely so long as a slow-moving dump trunk isn’t blocking the way in which. We’ll intention to make that occur throughout our Motor Authority Finest Automotive To Purchase 2024 testing later this yr.

Acura paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to convey you this firsthand report.