1990-1993 Acura Integra: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1993 Acura Integra and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Handling/roadholding
- Antilock brakes (GS, GS-R)
- Acceleration (5-speed)
- Fuel economy
- Reliability
Cons
- Rear-seat room (3-door)
- Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)
Vehicle Highlights
Bigger than the original Integra introduced in 1986 by Honda's luxury division, the early '90s replacement again came in hatchback coupe form but shared no major components with its predecessor. However, a longer 4-door notchback sedan replaced the original 4-door hatchback model. Space up front grew larger, while back-seat area shrunk a bit. The 2-door hatchback is a subcompact, while the 4-door--which measures 3.6 inches longer overall--ranks as a compact sedan.Three trim levels were originally offered: base RS, mid-level LS, and sporty GS. No airbag was available, but all Integras of this era have motorized front shoulder belts. They also have all-disc brakes and power rack-and-pinion steering. Antilock brakes were standard on the GS, but not available on lesser Integras.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Acura Integra GS Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 5 | |
| Value within Class | 8 | |
| Total Score: | 51 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1993 Acura Integra. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1993 Acura Integra.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Acura Integra:
A power sunroof became standard on the GS 4-door for 1991. Leather upholstery could be installed in either the GS 3-door or 4-door.
1992 Acura Integra:
A mild facelift for 1992 included new front/rear bumpers, restyled wheels, and a revamped trunklid for the sedan. The 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine added ten horsepower. In spring 1992, a 160-horsepower performance-oriented GS-R hatchback appeared. Its 1.7-liter engine drove a special close-ratio 5-speed manual gearbox.
1993 Acura Integra:
A special-model LS featured leather upholstery, body-color side moldings, a rear spoiler, and performance tires on alloy wheels.
Our road test for the 1990-1993 Acura Integra includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1993 Acura Integra and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1993 Acura Integra is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Handling and roadholding are fine, if not quite as agile as the prior models. Integras hang on nicely around tight turns, suffering minimal body roll. Stopping power is especially impressive with the optional antilock braking. This car's personality varies according to its transmission. Acceleration from the basic twin-cam 4-cylinder engine is brisk and zesty with the 5-speed gearbox, but not nearly so lively with 4-speed automatic. The high-performance GS-R model demonstrated that it was subjectively faster than other Integras. But that smaller engine stays very busy, thanks to short gearing that keeps it spinning on the high side of 3000 rpm. On the plus side, both transmissions deliver attractive fuel mileage: 23-25 mpg around town and past 30 mpg on the highway. Even a GS-R managed 22.4 mpg in rigorous city/suburban driving. Abundant engine/road noise and vibration, on the other hand, remind occupants that Integras are not quite in the same refinement league as the larger Legends. Visibility is fine; controls are sensible and fall easily to hand. Analog gauges are well-marked and unobscured. A low driving position emphasizes the Integra's sporty nature. Seats are firm and supportive. The 4-door's longer wheelbase shows up in additional rear leg room. Sedans seat four adults without cramping, but the 3-door's rear seat is best for kids and cargo. Cargo space is improved by standard fold-down rear seats.
Value for the Money
Well-known for reliability and solid construction, these competent front-drivers offer plenty of refinement. Resale values have been strong, so even these older Integras aren't exactly inexpensive.
Well-known for reliability and solid construction, these competent front-drivers offer plenty of refinement. Resale values have been strong, so even these older Integras aren't exactly inexpensive.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Acura Integra GS Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 5 | |
| Value within Class | 8 | |
| Total Score: | 51 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Acura Integra includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Acura Integra .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Alarm system:
The security-system controller picks up stray interference, which can make it malfunction so that the car will not start. The ROM chip in the controller must be replaced. (1990-93)
Automatic transmission:
Cars with automatic transmissions may not upshift, shift erratically, or suffer from no kickdown. The problem is debris in the modulator valve that sticks open flooding the shift solenoids. (1990-92)
Brakes:
The antilock brake modulator solenoid was prone to leaks, which sets an ABS trouble code number 1. (1990)
Clutch:
Cars with manual transmissions may suffer from short clutch life. Acura issued a revised clutch disc and pressure plate that wear longer. (1990-93)
Hard starting:
The fuel-pressure regulator may fail causing hard starting. (1990-93)
Oil leak:
Oil behind power-steering bracket is caused by a leaking camshaft seal. Chances are the timing belt is also contaminated by the oil and should be replaced. (1990-93)
Vehicle noise:
Squeaking noises may come from the rear of the car when going over bumps or speed bumps. The fix involves placing shims between the two rubber halves of the trailing-arm bushings. (1990-93)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $600 |
| Alternator | $420 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $895 |
| Brakes | $195 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $720 |
| Exhaust System | $505 |
| Radiator | $380 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $620 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $225 |
Our price chart for this generation Acura Integra details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1993 | |||
| Integra | $1,500-2,000 | $1,000-1,300 | $200-300 |
| Integra GS-R | $2,200-2,900 | $1,600-2,100 | $400-600 |
| 1992 | |||
| Integra | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| Integra GS-R | $1,800-2,400 | $1,200-1,600 | $300-400 |
| 1991 | |||
| Integra | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1990 | |||
| Integra | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Acura Integra include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door hatchback | 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 100.4 | 102.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 172.9 | 176.5 |
| Overall Width, in. | 67.4 | 67.4 |
| Overall Height, in. | 52.2 | 52.8 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2560 | 2605 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 16.2 | 11.2 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 13.2 | 13.2 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.5 | 38.7 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.8 | 41.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 34.7 | 36.8 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 28.6 | 31.7 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Acura enlarged the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine of the late-'80s Integra to 1.8 liters for the redesigned 1990 model. With four valves per cylinder, the new dual-overhead-cam engine developed 130 horsepower and 121 pound-feet of torque (a measure of rotational force, or pulling power). Again front-wheel drive, the car could have either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. The automatic had two electronically engaged shift modes: economy and performance, the latter with higher shift points. For 1992, engine output rose to 140 horsepower and 126 pound-feet. Then at midseason came the performance-focused GS-R hatchback, packing a smaller (1.7-liter) 4-cylinder engine that yielded greater horsepower (160), but a trifle less torque than its standard-fare mate. A special close-ratio 5-speed manual gearbox was the sole available transmission.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 1.7 / 102 | 160 | 117 | 5-speed manual: 24/29 | 5-speed manual: 22.4 |
| dohc I4 | 1.8 / 112 | 130-140 | 121-126 | 5-speed manual: 25/31 4-speed automatic: 23/29 |
5-speed manual: 25.7 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Acura Integra include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1993 Integra |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | -- |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
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