This Iconic Japanese Sports Car Just Got a Big Tech Upgrade

Acura treats its best-selling compact sports sedan to fresh aero, a new display and a refined interior.

Published 8 hours ago

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After Acura shelved the Integra in 2002, it would be another 21 years before the nameplate would see the market again. Suffice to say, then, that when the Integra did finally reappear in 2023, the release provided Japanese sports car enthusiasts with plenty of cause for celebration.

It may have only been two years since the revival of the Integra, but Acura is already prepared to observe yet another significant milestone. Believe it or not, 2026 will mark the 40th anniversary of the first generation’s 1986 debut.

To ring in the occasion, Acura has announced a slew of updates for the upcoming model year. Along with improved tech, the 2026 Integra will also introduce sportier styling, new colors and premium interior options.

acura integra parked in moody setting with red and blue lighting — While it’s only been a few years since the Integra returned to the market, Acura is keen to observe the 40th anniversary of the model’s debut.

Smarter and faster

Per Acura, the Integra currently commands over 40 percent of premium compact sedan sales, so it’s clear that the model’s nostalgia is helping its success — even despite the presence of two additional doors.

For 2026, Acura hopes to capitalize on that success by giving its iconic sports car a big tech upgrade in the form of a new 9-inch color touchscreen. Along with being two inches larger than the outgoing display, Acura says it brings “a faster processor for lag-free performance.”

a moody shot showing the interior of an acura integra sports car — Acura is going all-in on tech with the 2026 Integra, fitting the model with a larger 9-inch touchscreen, a faster processor and wireless charging support.

As part of the new infotainment interface, the Integra will also benefit from wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Moreover, Acura has fitted the center console with a wireless phone charger to provide for a cleaner cockpit experience.

acura integra font-on driving low — Color-matched grilles are standard items on certain colorways, though Acura does offer the option of gloss black for a more traditional look.

Updated aero looks

Though the Integra’s styling remains largely unchanged compared to the 2025 model year, Acura hasn’t forgotten about the exterior. As part of the update, the upcoming model will introduce several key visual tweaks.

For starters, the Integra A-Spec gains a fresh aero body kit. Between the gloss black side spoilers, some sleek new side sills and a set of gloss black 18-inch wheels, it makes for a much more aggressive look that Acura calls both “premium” and “aspirational.”

acura integra front right wheel closeup — Along with a revised aero body kit, the Integra A-Spec also gains some gloss black side sills and matching 18-inch wheels.

What’s more, the Integra gains new color options in the form of Solar Silver Metallic, Urban Gray Pearl and Double Apex Blue Pearl, and cars optioned in either Double Apex Blue Pearl or Performance Red Pearl will come with a paint-matched grille as standard. If you’re a fan of the look, the feature will be available as an add-on for other colors, too, though buyers will also be able to specify a gloss-black grille for something a little subtler.

And that’s not all; as part of the overhauled interior, Acura is treating the Integra A-Spec to a new trim pattern on the dash as well as some extended ambient lighting. Complemented by some new suede inserts and stitching options, it makes for a refresh that’s subtle in execution but impactful in result.

acura integra manual transmission center console close-up — Nowadays, cars with manual transmissions are few and far between, but Acura is keeping the six-speed as an option for the 2026 Integra.

Familiar fan favorite

Under the hood, the 2026 Integra will retain the same 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as is found in the current model. Though Acura equips a CVT automatic transmission as standard, buyers will again have the option of a six-speed manual. In practice, this means that output is a consistent 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque for the base and A-Spec models.

At this stage, Acura has yet to announce full specifications for the 2026 Integra lineup. Most notably, there’s no mention of what MSRP is set to look like, and the 320-horsepower Integra Type S is conspicuously absent from the announcement

Whether that means Acura has something bigger waiting in the wings remains to be seen. However, given that the 2026 Integra is slated to arrive in showrooms next month, pricing and further details should be available soon.