2026 Acura Integra vs 2026 Audi A3
Shoppers comparing the 2026 Acura Integra vs 2026 Audi A3 are looking at two premium compacts with very different personalities. Both deliver upscale design and advanced tech, but the Integra leans into enthusiast engineering and real-world versatility with a distinctive 5-door liftback, an available 6-speed manual transmission with Rev-Match Control, and the high-output Type S variant. Audi answers with a refined cabin, standard quattro® all-wheel drive, and a digital-first interface. For drivers near Columbus, OH who want a car that feels tailored to the drive and to an active lifestyle, the Integra’s combination of VTEC® Turbo performance, available Adaptive Damper System, and generous cargo flexibility is a decisive advantage. Our team at Acura Columbus helps match drivers to the right Integra package, from A-Spec® with Technology—complete with available Head-Up Display, wireless smartphone integration, and ELS Studio 3D® audio—to the 320-HP Type S engineered for maximum engagement. If your test-drive priorities include sharper feedback, manual-shift involvement, and everyday usefulness, the Integra’s Precision Crafted Performance® speaks your language near Columbus, OH.
| Feature | 2026 Acura Integra | 2026 Audi A3 |
|---|---|---|
| 6-speed manual transmission available | Yes | No |
| Adaptive Damper System available | Yes | No |
| 5-door liftback body style | Yes | No |
| ELS Studio 3D® premium audio available | Yes | No |
| Head-Up Display available | Yes | No |
| Dual-Axis Strut front suspension (performance model) | Yes | No |
| Brembo® 4-piston front brake calipers (performance model) | Yes | No |
| Sport+ drive mode (performance model) | Yes | No |
| 19-inch wheels available | Yes | No |
| Helical limited-slip differential (manual models) | Yes | No |
Exterior - Acura Dealer serving Columbus, OH
The Integra’s design telegraphs purpose. A frameless Diamond Pentagon Grille with an inverted pattern sets a bold tone, bracketed by Jewel Eye™ LED headlights and Chicane™ LED lighting signatures. The A-Spec® package adds 18-inch Berlina Black wheels, LED fog lights, a rear spoiler, and new aero elements that enhance the stance. Premium Paint Technology brings rich finishes like Performance Red Pearl, Double Apex Blue Pearl, and Urban Gray Pearl, with the Type S stretching its fenders, opening larger ducts, and punctuating the look with a Type S-exclusive rear diffuser and equal-diameter triple exhaust outlets. Available 19-inch lightweight wheels further sharpen the Integra’s presence. The Audi A3’s streamlined silhouette, available Black optic package, and sport suspension present a clean, athletic profile; it is a handsome sedan. But if you want design that doubles as function—extra cargo access, broader wheel options, and purposeful aero—the Integra finds the sweet spot near Columbus, OH. At Acura Columbus, we guide shoppers from Springfield through the details, from lighting signatures to wheel fitments, to help you configure an exterior that reflects your taste and your weekly routine.
Interior - 2026 Acura Integra near Columbus, OH
Inside, both models are thoroughly modern, but they deliver that modernity in different ways. The Integra centers the driver with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an intuitive 9-inch touchscreen, and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ standard. The A-Spec® with Technology adds a Head-Up Display that keeps critical info in your line of sight and an immersive ELS Studio 3D® system with 16 speakers—two overhead and a cargo-integrated subwoofer—engineered with Grammy® Award-winning producer Elliot Scheiner. The Type S turns up the motorsport energy with perforated leather, Ultrasuede®-trimmed sport seats with firm bolsters, and a dark titanium-finish shift knob. Perhaps the Integra’s most overlooked interior advantage is its liftback versatility: a wide opening, 60/40 split-fold seats, and generous 24.3 cu ft of cargo space that swallows weekend gear without drama. Audi A3 counters with the sleek Audi virtual cockpit plus and an available Sonos® 15-speaker setup, but it is still a sedan trunk. For drivers near Columbus, OH, commuting during the week and heading to the trails on Saturday, the Integra simply adapts faster—whether you are coming from Pickerington or planning a quick overnight with friends.
Acura Integra vs Audi A3 Mechanical Specs
Under the skin is where the Integra sets its own pace. The Integrated Dynamics System lets you toggle between Comfort, Normal, and Sport, with available Individual mode for fine-tuning steering, throttle, and damping. The available Adaptive Damper System broadens the ride-handling bandwidth, softening over pockmarked urban streets and firming up on winding backroads. In Type S, the chassis elevates with Dual-Axis Strut front suspension—a motorsport-derived geometry that reduces torque steer and sharpens turn-in—paired with large Brembo® 4-piston front calipers and upsized rotors. Manual-transmission models incorporate a helical limited-slip differential to put power down early when you unwind the wheel, and Type S adds an Active Exhaust Valve for a stirring soundtrack in Sport+. The Audi A3, by contrast, pairs well-tuned fixed sport suspension with Audi drive select, and its quattro® system provides confident traction in poor weather. Still, if your priorities include chassis customization, sharper front-end precision, and mechanical grip on corner exit, the Integra offers more enthusiast-focused hardware. Our Acura Columbus team can walk you through how these systems feel on local test routes and why they matter.
Powertrain - Acura Dealership near Columbus, OH
The Integra’s powertrain lineup is designed to engage a wider range of drivers. The 1.5L VTEC® Turbo delivers a muscular 200-HP with a broad torque plateau for easy drivability, paired either to a paddle-shifted CVT programmed for quick responses or an available close-ratio 6-speed manual. Rev-Match Control smooths downshifts, helping you stay planted in the power band. Step up to the Type S, and you unlock a motorsport-bred 2.0L VTEC® Turbo good for 320-HP and 310 lb-ft, mated exclusively to a 6-speed manual—backed by a lightweight flywheel, short throws, and a 7,000-rpm redline. Sport+ mode dials in the car’s most visceral settings and opens the Active Exhaust Valve for a soundtrack that matches the urgency. The Audi A3’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine serves up a competitive 201 HP and 236 lb-ft, paired to a quick-shifting 7-speed S tronic® dual-clutch transmission and quattro® all-wheel drive. It is brisk and polished. Yet the Integra’s manual option, additional drive mode range, and high-output Type S variant deliver a more analog connection, underscoring why many enthusiasts migrate to a 2026 Acura Integra when they want to feel every shift and every apex.
Safety - Acura Integra vs Audi A3
Every Integra includes AcuraWatch™ driver-assistive technology, a comprehensive suite designed to enhance awareness and confidence. Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist System, Blind Spot Information, and a Rear Cross Traffic Monitor are standard, with Traffic Sign Recognition also onboard. Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Traffic Jam Assist are available on CVT-equipped models to ease gridlock; Post-Collision Braking and Low-Speed Braking Control can help reduce secondary impacts and low-speed mishaps. The Head-Up Display—available on A-Spec® with Technology—projects speed and alerts into your line of sight, complementing the clear 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Audi A3 meets the moment with Audi pre sense® front, lane departure warning, side assist with rear cross traffic assist, and available park assist plus, along with the standard Audi virtual cockpit plus. Both cars pack advanced tech, but the Integra’s blend of active braking aids, comprehensive standardization across the lineup, and intuitive displays reinforces everyday readiness. For commuters and families who split time between city avenues and weekend errands, the Integra’s safety-first approach pays dividends.
Request more 2026 Acura Integra vs 2026 Audi A3 near Columbus, OH information
This is the heart of the 2026 Acura Integra vs 2026 Audi A3 decision: Do you want a polished small luxury sedan, or a premium sport compact that combines track-bred hardware with real-life versatility? With its available 6-speed manual, Adaptive Damper System, liftback cargo access, ELS Studio 3D® audio, and the electrifying Type S, the Integra cultivates engagement and flexibility that the A3 simply does not match. Our team at Acura Columbus is here to tailor your build, explain how features like the Dual-Axis Strut and helical limited-slip differential transform feedback, and ensure your Integra fits your daily routine near Columbus, OH. If you are weighing the 2026 Acura Integra vs 2026 Audi A3, we encourage you to schedule a back-to-back drive and feel the difference in steering precision, shift quality, and cargo utility. For drivers who value connection behind the wheel and space for life’s gear, the Integra makes the stronger case—today, tomorrow, and on every road that calls.
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**Based on current year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid models only) and other factors.
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