How We Tested

Best of the Year analysts reached out to Acura to arrange a manufacturer press-fleet loan of the 2026 Integra. At least two automotive reviewers, with decades of combined experience test-driving vehicles and covering cars for major media outlets, drove it in and around the New York City metropolitan area. They put it through real driving rather than relying on a spec-sheet read, paying attention to how responsive it felt through corners and how comfortably it settled into calmer everyday driving. They made a point of spending time with the available manual transmission and also weighed the cabin and physical controls, the liftback’s cargo flexibility and rear-seat room, the technology and the car’s value.

Best of the Year analysts reviewed Acura’s entry and submitted materials, published specifications, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel-economy figures and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety ratings, along with the support for its marketing claims. At least one sustainability judge reviewed the manufacturer’s sustainability report and noted relevant initiatives as part of the overall evaluation.

What Experts and Consumer Testers Said

The drive is what won our reviewers over. Veteran auto journalist Brett Berk singled out how the manual pairs with the turbocharged engine to make every bit of acceleration and braking feel engaging, describing handling that sharpens up nicely in Sport and smooths out in Comfort. He put it simply: "There are few cars that are as delightful to drive as the Integra."

"There are few cars that are as delightful to drive as the Integra." -Best of the Year Judge & Automotive Category Expert

Beyond the drive, our reviewers appreciated how easy it is to live with. They praised the hands-on controls, real knobs and dials for the things you reach for most, and the everyday-usable cabin, from the crisp nine-inch screen and standard wireless charging to small touches like patterned dash panels and ambient lighting that, as one reviewer noted, his son loved. And the practicality stood out: the immense, liftback-flexible cargo space and the split rear seats let a fun-to-drive car swallow a real weekend's worth of gear.

Another of our expert reviewers called out the rare combination the Integra pulls off: "It delivers real driving joy, everyday practicality, and standout value, a rare combination at this price." This is a fun, practical, premium-attainable car rather than a plush-luxury one, so you'll notice some road and engine noise in the cabin. Bought for the drive, the cargo flexibility, and the price, it delivers.

"It delivers real driving joy, everyday practicality, and standout value, a rare combination at this price." -Best of the Year Judge & Engineering Category Expert

Best of the Year Bottom Line

If you want a car that's a real joy to drive without giving up everyday practicality, and without a luxury-car price, the 2026 Acura Integra is an easy one to point you to. It handles with real personality, carries far more than its size suggests thanks to the liftback, and comes in at a value that stands out, now with a made-in-Ohio story behind it. Go in knowing what it is: a premium-attainable driver's car, not a plush-luxury one, with a little road noise as part of the deal, and with its best self found in the manual. On the things that matter most here, the drive, the usefulness, and the price, it's a standout.

Why Trust Us?

The Best of the Year Media team comprises award-winning editors, analysts, subject-matter experts and consumer specialists who have built their careers helping people make smarter, more confident decisions. With deep expertise across consumer lifestyle categories, our team brings decades of experience evaluating products, brands and services. Our recommendations are grounded in rigorous evaluation combined with expert judgment and consumer insights, giving readers trusted guidance on products, services, and experiences worth bringing into their lives.

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P.S. We use affiliate shopping links where possible. We may earn a few dollars if you click them. It’s one of the reasons we're able to give you a calmer site experience, with fewer ads and distracting pop-ups.