Acura is experiencing a resurgence this year, diving back into its performance legacy with the introduction of two Type S models—the TLX sedan and the NSX supercar. However, its most exciting announcement came late Thursday night: the return of the iconic Acura Integra.
To prove this is no joke, Acura released teaser images showcasing the car’s headlight, along with this surprise news from Acura’s president Jon Ikeda at the NSX Type S unveiling event. The INTEGRA badge on the bumper below the light serves as a nostalgic reminder for anyone who remembers the original Integra, which redefined compact front-wheel-drive fun through the ’80s and ’90s.
“It’s back, and it’ll be on sale next year,” an Acura representative shared. Exciting news indeed!
Since the Integra ended production in 2006 (or 2001 in the U.S.—with the RSX possibly not counting), the automotive landscape has felt dimmer. The memorable third-generation model significantly shaped Acura’s identity as a brand focused on intelligent performance, especially popular among the import tuning culture in the late ’90s.
Apart from the NSX, Acura has not released a two-door sports car since the RSX/Integra ceased production. Over the last 15 years, the brand struggled to maintain its identity amidst a sea of uninspiring vehicles. The Integra’s revival marks the first time in two decades that Acura will reintroduce a model with a true name; notably, it was among the first two models launched when Acura was first established in 1986.
This marks a significant effort by Acura to reconnect with its roots. The teaser badge is just the start, as we expect the new Integra to be built on the new Civic platform—which is a strong foundation. Also, given Honda’s capability, a manual transmission would not be surprising. The latest Civic maintains a manual option in its Si and Type R variants. Ikeda has assured that the new Integra will embody the same “fun-to-drive spirit” as its predecessors. A manual transmission is a key part of that excitement.
“The first car I drove with a stick shift was a 1998 Integra GS-R,” stated Integra product planner Jonathon Rivers to The Drive. “We’re incredibly excited to bring it back, and 2022 will be an amazing year. Expect more updates in the coming months.”
While details remain scarce, we do have glimpses of the new Integra’s design. In February, peculiar images of a two-door test vehicle circulated on social media, with speculation that it could be the new Integra. Acura rejected that at the time, claiming the images were altered, but now the certainty around that claim is wavering.
Regardless of the situation, we’ll have clarity soon. And a new Integra! What an exciting time.
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