New Grille, Same Tune: Do The 2026 Integra Changes Play It Too Safe?

Acura’s formula for the Integra hasn’t wavered since its relaunch in 2022: five doors, turbo-four power, and enough sharp edges in the design to remind you it’s not just a Civic in a nice suit. That recipe has worked—spectacularly. The Integra owns more than a third of the premium sport compact segment and brings the youngest buyers into Acura showrooms. But now, with the 2026 refresh, Acura faces a tricky question: how much do you change a car that’s already leading its class?

Design And Tech Tweaks, Same Powertrain

It kinda just doesn’t. The few changes to the new Integra are a bigger screen, some flashier trim, and a new aero kit for the A-Spec model. But under the hood? The same 200-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo that’s been there all along. Acura clearly decided to protect its winning streak rather than gamble on new hardware. For loyalists, that may be fine. For enthusiasts, though, it feels a little like showing up to a dinner party with leftovers.

The most obvious update lives inside the cabin: every 2026 Integra now comes with a larger nine-inch touchscreen (up from seven inches in base trims) paired with wireless , Android Auto, and phone charging. It’s a meaningful upgrade for anyone tired of cords or laggy interfaces, and it keeps Acura competitive with rivals like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA, which already treat large screens as standard fare.

On the styling front, the Integra A-Spec now gets an aero body kit that adds color-matched side spoilers and sill garnishes, making the liftback look more hunkered down without going full boy-racer. Black 18-inch wheels join the package, while ambient lighting inside brings some mood to nighttime drives. Buyers can also pick from three new exterior shades—Solar Silver Metallic, Urban Gray Pearl, and Double Apex Blue Pearl (the blue borrowed from the ZDX Type S EV). Cars in that blue or Performance Red Pearl can be had with a body-color grille, while all others default to gloss black.

Beyond that, Acura sprinkled in interior trim changes, like new stitching colors and microsuede inserts for A-Spec models. But the powertrain remains exactly the same: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder good for 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed manual survives—but only if you pay for the A-Spec with Technology Package. Otherwise, you’re looking at a CVT.

Safe Bet Or Missed Chance?

Pricing, Manual Paywall, And Enthusiast Verdict

So what does this all cost? Acura nudged pricing slightly higher for 2026. Here’s the breakdown:

The manual transmission—often the reason enthusiasts consider the Integra in the first place—is locked behind a nearly $40K paywall. The fact that Acura charges the same for the manual as the loaded CVT model suggests it’s more of a brand statement than a volume play. If you want the stick, you’ll pay, and if you want real firepower, you’ll need the $54K Type S.

From a business perspective, it’s not hard to see why Acura played it safe. The Integra is a volume leader, and refreshing the tech and trim keeps it relevant without risking the formula. But from an enthusiast angle, the 2026 update feels cautious (maybe even boring?). Still, the Acura Integra is a fun and engaging car that looks plenty sharp; it just doesn’t add much to be stoked on.

Maybe that’s the point? Acura isn’t chasing headlines with the Integra—it seems like it’s focusing on steady sales and young buyers. Whether that’s a safe bet or a missed chance depends on whether you think a segment leader should innovate or simply hold its ground.