Compared: 2023 Acura Integra vs. 2023 BMW 3 Series
Power comes at a cost, but the features come easy in this comparison.
Acura | BMW
QuickTakes:
There are plenty of impressive entry-level luxury cars out there. One of the most popular is the BMW 3 Series, which has long been counted on to deliver a responsive drive and high-end cabin at a relatively reasonable price. But shoppers on a budget might find that the 2023 Acura Integra checks plenty of boxes, too, offering a fun yet fuel-efficient powertrain, a spacious cabin, and plenty of standard features.
Acura
The BMW Costs a Lot More Than the Acura
One knock against the 3 Series is that it has a relatively high starting price — around $45,000 for the entry-level 330i model, which sports a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and rear-wheel drive (RWD).
But the 3 Series does offer versatility. It can be had as a plug-in hybrid for an additional $1,100 or with all-wheel drive (AWD) for an extra $2,000. And drivers who want a bit more zip can upgrade to the six-cylinder M340i with 382 horsepower, which starts around $57,000. The AWD version is also $2,000 more.
BMW
The 2023 Acura Integra is significantly less expensive, starting around $32,000. All models of the 2023 Integra use a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower sent to the front wheels. While the base model uses a fuel-efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT), the top trim A-Spec w/ Technology Package uses a manual transmission for a price starting at about $37,000.
Acura
The Integra Is More Generous With Standard Safety Features
The 3 Series has just a few more standard features than the Integra, including three-zone automatic climate control, 40/20/40 split folding rear seats, and larger screens for the gauge cluster and infotainment system.
However, the Integra comes standard with a full suite of safety equipment, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high-beam headlights.
In contrast, the BMW comes standard with only auto emergency braking and auto high-beams. Additional features cost extra.
BMW
The BMW 3 Series Can Be More Efficient Than the Integra
If you're after the absolute best fuel efficiency, the plug-in BMW 330e would be tough to beat, returning 73 MPGe, 22 miles of all-electric range in EV mode, and 27 mpg in hybrid mode. The AWD 330e xDrive also impresses with 68 MPGe, 20 miles of EV range, and 26 mpg as a hybrid.
The gas-only 330i gets 25/34/29 mpg city/highway/combined, while the AWD version is EPA-rated at 24/33/27 mpg. The six-cylinder M340i manages 23/32/26 mpg in AWD form, but the RWD version is surprisingly a hair less efficient at 23/31/26 mpg.
The 2023 Acura Integra is more fuel-efficient than the gas-only BMWs. The Integra returns 30/37/33 mpg in base form and 29/36/32 mpg in A-Spec trim. The manual transmission-equipped A-Spec model isn't too shabby, either, delivering 26/36/30 mpg.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
