Compare the2026 Acura IntegraVS 2026 Hyundai Sonata

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Acura Integra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sonata doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Integra Automatic has standard Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sonata doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S has a standard Low-Speed Braking Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Sonata doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the Integra and the Sonata have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

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

	Integra	Sonata
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	231	514
Neck Compression	19 lbs.	33 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	328	356
Neck Injury Risk	27%	33%
Neck Compression	73 lbs.	189 lbs.

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 Acura Integra is safer than the Hyundai Sonata:

	Integra	Sonata
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	226 lbs.	234 lbs.
Hip Force	301 lbs.	360 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	250
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	15 inches
HIC	236	264
Hip Force	646 lbs.	780 lbs.

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Integra first among small premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Sonata was rated second in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 5 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

Engine

The Integra’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (200 vs. 191) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 181) than the Sonata’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Integra Type S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (320 vs. 290) than the Sonata N Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

	Integra	Sonata
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.9 MPH	87.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Integra
FWD	Manual	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/37 hwy
Sonata
	Auto	SEL Sport 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/36 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy

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 Sonata doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura Integra higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Hyundai Sonata (4 to 6). This means the Integra produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Sonata every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Acura Integra at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Hyundai Sonata is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

Transmission

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 Sonata doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Integra	Integra Type S	Sonata SEL Sport	Sonata N Line
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	13.8 inches	12 inches	13.6 inches

The Integra stops much shorter than the Sonata:

	Integra	Sonata
100 to 0 MPH	291 feet	358 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	145 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	100 feet	118 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	138 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Integra has larger standard tires than the Sonata (215/50R17 vs. 205/65R16). The Integra Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sonata (265/30R19 vs. 245/40R19).

The Integra’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonata SE’s standard 65 series tires. The Integra Type S’ tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Sonata N Line’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Integra has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Sonata SE.

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 Sonata doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

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 Sonata’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Integra Type S handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Sonata SEL Sport AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Integra Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the Sonata SEL Sport AWD (24.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Chassis

The Integra is 7.5 inches shorter than the Sonata, making the Integra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 55% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Integra A-Spec with Technology Package, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Sonata doesn’t offer memory seats.

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 Sonata 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 Sonata doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Integra’s front power windows 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 Sonata’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The Sonata SEL/N Line’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S’ standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Sonata’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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

The Integra’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Sonata SEL Sport/N Line.

When the Integra A-Spec with Technology Package is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Sonata’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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. Only the Sonata SEL Sport/N Line offers wireless charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura Integra, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Hyundai Sonata isn't recommended.

The Type S was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Sonata 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 Sonata has never been chosen.

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