Compare the2022 Mazda 3VS 2023 Acura Integra

The Mazda 3 has standard Whiplash Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Integra doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Mazda 3 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Integra doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has a standard 360-Degree Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Integra only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Mazda 3’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Integra doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mazda 3 and the Integra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda 3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 80 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Integra has not been tested, yet.

There are over 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 3’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. With 23 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Acura.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in overall reliability. Acura is ranked 28th.

The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (250 vs. 200) and 128 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 192) than the Integra’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 AWD non-turbo’s fuel efficiency. The Integra doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mazda 3 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than on the Integra.

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 3’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Integra’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Mazda 3 Sedan is 10.2 inches shorter than the Integra, making the Mazda 3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Mazda 3 Sedan has .4 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear hip room than the Integra.

The Mazda 3’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Integra’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Mazda 3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Integra’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Mazda 3 Premium/Turbo/Carbon Hatchback has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Integra doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Mazda 3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Integra has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

With standard voice command, the Mazda 3 offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Integra doesn’t offer a voice control system.

The Mazda 3 comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Acura Integra isn’t available as a sedan.

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications: