Compare the2026 Acura IntegraVS 2026 Audi A3

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Integra are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

With its standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, the Acura Integra is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi A3, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

The Integra’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 A3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Integra and the A3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available rear parking sensors.

The Acura Integra achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The A3 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the Integra 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Integra first among small premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The A3 isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 71 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 24 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 2 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Integra Type S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 119 more horsepower (320 vs. 201) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 236) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Integra gets better mileage than the A3:

The Integra has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The A3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Integra has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The A3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Integra’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A3:

The Integra stops much shorter than the A3:

For better traction, the Integra Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A3 (265/30R19 vs. 225/45R17).

The Integra Type S’ tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A3’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Integra Type S has standard 19-inch wheels. The A3’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Integra has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The A3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Integra offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Integra’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the A3 (107.7 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Integra is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A3.

The Integra Type S handles at 1.02 G’s, while the A3 Premium Plus pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Integra Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the A3 Premium Plus (24.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

The Acura Integra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Audi A3.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Integra a Large car, while the A3 is rated a Subcompact.

The Integra has 8.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A3 (95.8 vs. 87).

The Integra has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 3 inches more rear shoulder room than the A3.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 15% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The Integra A-Spec CVT with Technology Package has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Integra’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and warning readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The A3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Integra’s standard Keyless Access System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the A3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The Integra’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The A3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Consumer Reports rated the Integra’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the A3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Integra’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The A3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Compared to traditional radio, the Acura Integra’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the A3.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura Integra has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the A3.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Acura Integra retains 53.28% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 48.42% resale value of the 2025 Audi A3 after five years, which can save the Acura’s owner up to $4286.25688 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura Integra and the Audi A3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its June 2023 issue and the Acura Integra A-Spec Technology won out over the Audi A3 Premium Plus.

The Type S was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The A3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Integra as the 2023 North American Car of the Year. The A3 has never been chosen.

The Acura Integra outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over two to one during 2024.