Compare the2025 Subaru WRXVS 2025 Acura Integra

The WRX has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Integra doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Both the WRX and the Integra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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

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

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 Subaru WRX is safer than the Acura Integra:

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

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

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 WRX’s reliability 31 points higher than the Integra.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 18 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Acura.

The WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 71 more horsepower (271 vs. 200) and 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 192) than the Integra’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru WRX is faster than the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder (manual transmissions tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the WRX lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Integra doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The WRX has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Integra (16.6 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The WRX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Integra are solid, not vented.

The WRX stops much shorter than the Integra:

For better traction, the WRX has larger tires than the Integra (245/40R18 vs. 215/50R17).

The WRX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Integra’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the WRX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Integra.

The WRX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Integra’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The WRX Limited handles at .96 G’s, while the Integra A-Spec Technology pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The WRX Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the Integra A-Spec Technology (24.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the WRX tS’ turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Integra’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The WRX’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Integra Type S’ (36.7 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the WRX Limited is quieter than the Integra Type S:

The WRX has 3.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Integra (98.9 vs. 95.8).

The WRX has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear hip room than the Integra.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the WRX. The Integra doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The WRX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Integra uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the WRX is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Integra. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 7% lower rating, Acura is ranked 9th.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the WRX’s exterior PIN entry system. The Integra doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost AcuraLink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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 WRX’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 WRX Limited/GT/tS 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 WRX’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.

The WRX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S.

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

Compared to the Acura Integra, the Subaru WRX eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

The WRX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the WRX will retain 58.98% to 63.86% of its original price after five years, while the Integra only retains 50.41% to 50.54%.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru WRX and the Acura Integra, based on reliability, safety and performance.