Compare the2024 Mazda 3VS 2024 Acura Integra

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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.

Both the Mazda 3 and Integra have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Integra’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda 3 is safer than the Acura Integra:

	Mazda 3	Integra
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	89	231
Neck Injury Risk	17%	27%
Leg Forces (l/r)	205/212 lbs.	287/574 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	153	328
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	73 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Mazda 3 is safer than the Integra:

	Mazda 3	Integra
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	148	289
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda 3 is safer than the Acura Integra:

	Mazda 3	Integra
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	112	145
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	239 lbs.	301 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	10 inches	12 inches
HIC	199	236
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	45 G’s
Hip Force	527 lbs.	646 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda 3 Sedan is safer than the Integra:

	Mazda 3	Integra
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	122	160
Neck Compression	89 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	156	258
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	112 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.02 in
Torso Max Deflection	.87 in	1.46 in
Torso Deflection Rate	13 MPH	14 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	335 lbs.	602 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

There are almost 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.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mazda 3’s reliability 25 points higher than the Integra.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 4 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.

Engine

The Mazda 3’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 310) than the Integra Type S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda 3 4 cyl. is faster than the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder (manual transmissions tested):

	3	Integra
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	91 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda 3 4 cyl. is faster than the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	3	Integra
Zero to 30 MPH	2.6 sec	3.2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	15.9 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder Manual FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Integra Type S 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder 6-speed Manual (26 city/36 hwy vs. 21 city/28 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Integra doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda 3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Acura Integra (6 to 7). This means the Mazda 3 produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Integra every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Mazda 3 stops much shorter than the Integra:

	Mazda 3	Integra
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The Mazda 3 Carbon Edition Sedan executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Integra A-Spec Technology (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

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’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the Integra Type S’ (34.8 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

Chassis

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.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback is quieter than the Integra Type S:

	3	Integra
At idle	40 dB	42 dB
Full-Throttle	74 dB	89 dB
70 MPH Cruising	69 dB	73 dB

Passenger Space

The Mazda 3 Sedan has .3 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear hip room than the Integra.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Mazda 3 Turbo Hatchback has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Integra doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Ergonomics

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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Mazda 3’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Integra’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Mazda 3 Premium 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.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus’ standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Integra doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the Mazda 3 and the Integra offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Mazda 3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Integra doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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.

Model Availability

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

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Mazda 3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Mazda 3 will cost $1375 less than the Integra over a five-year period.

The Mazda 3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Mazda 3 will retain 51.44% to 55.76% of its original price after five years, while the Integra only retains 50.41% to 50.54%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda 3 will be $1960 to $8493 less than for the Acura Integra.

Recommendations

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

	Mazda 3	Integra
Consumer Reports® Recommends	Top Pick	TRUE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	n/a