Jump LinksHow Efficient Is It?There used to be a time when you had to choose between being cocooned in luxury or being about to have fun on windy roads. One factor always had to win – you'd either have all the features you want but no confidence in the corners, or the perfect driving experience but about as many creature comforts as riding a horse.The Acura Integra Type S tries to offer everything at once and succeeds.We're always sad about the demise of the hot hatch here at CarBuzz. They allow for fun drives while still functioning well as a family vehicle. They're truly jacks of all trades, and Acura's position in the market means that you get all the bells and whistles of a premium manufacturer along with a sweet drive. Let's dive deeper into this nameplate and see why it's the only luxury hot hatch on sale in 2026. The Concept Of A Luxury Hot Hatch 2026 Acura Integra Type SBefore crossovers and SUVs took over, the humble hatchback was the default choice for families. Their smaller dimensions made them easier to drive in traffic, and their shape made loading things into the back much easier. It was only natural that companies started making better-performing versions, such as the Volkswagen GTI. The Honda Civic Type R, which the Integra is based on, is one of the standout performers in this now-dying market.The Integra nameplate debuted in the US market in 1986, and while the first Type R Integra didn't arrive until 1997, it was already one of the finest driving hatchbacks on the market. The current-generation Type S was introduced in 2024 and, while still built on the Civic platform, offers a slightly different experience. Luxury Can Equal Fun AcuraA hot hatch should maximize fun through not only high power but also the driving experience. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder might be the same as the Civic Type R's, but it produces 5 more horsepower thanks to a revised exhaust and some revised tuning. Torque remains the same, but the real star of the show here is the six-speed manual transmission. It's the only gearbox available on this car, so we're lucky it's one of our favorites.On paper, it's slower, less premium, and less prestigious than similarly priced options. But it only takes a few shifts from that razor-sharp transmission to realize that Acura ignored the numbers in favor of pure driving pleasure. In a world where so many brands are ignoring enthusiasts, the Acura Integra Type S carves out a niche as one of the best cars on sale at any price.- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzzIt's not just the numbers that contribute to the driving experience. One of the big differences between the Acura and the Type R is the suspension and exhaust. The former is tuned slightly softer and more refined than the Honda, contributing to a more comfortable daily ride, while the latter is louder and more orchestral at the push of a button. It can even crackle and burble on downshifts, which are crisp thanks to automatic rev-matching.Like luxury cars, there's also a level of customizability to the drive. Multiple modes can change the dampers, exhaust, and responsiveness, and we find it to cope with every bit of daily driving seamlessly. Even though the German rivals have all-wheel drive and enough technology to make Silicon Valley look prehistoric, the numbers are only half the story with the Acura. Drive it, and you'll see. How Efficient Is It? AcuraFuel efficiency might not be the first thing you think of when buying a hot hatch, but it's important when it's a do-everything car. Luckily, the Acura has pretty decent mileage figures, but a sub-300-mile range might get old quite quickly, especially with current fuel prices. A manual would also let you fine-tune your shifts for maximum efficiency. Still, 28 miles per gallon on the highway is better than you might think. Daily Driver Duty? It's A Breeze 2024 Acura Integra Type SA hot hatch has to be good not only when you're slinging it around a canyon, but also when you're just picking up groceries or on your daily commute. The Acura does all of this without any effort, thanks to good proportions, lots of standard features, and seats that are the envy of almost any other car. The 24.3 cubic feet of space in the back is easy to get to, thanks to the large opening, and you can even fold the seats down, even though Acura doesn't quote numbers for it.The Honda Civic Type R may have a back seat and a large trunk, but if you pulled up to the school pickup line in one, other parents might start to make some assumptions (the kids would probably think you're cool, however). Though we wouldn't call it subtle, the Integra Type S certainly does a better job of blending in as a "regular" car.- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzzThe interior design might not be anything special (in fact, it's one of our biggest gripes with this car at this price), but it's certainly well-built and easy to use. Compared to the Type R, it gets premium leather and heated suede seats, a 16-speaker sound system, and a head-up display. Those are really the only options you get over the Honda, which makes it feel slightly overpriced in comparison. We wish we could see ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, or even a standard heated steering wheel.Luckily, the exterior is a bit more up to scratch. It has the right amount of aggression to let you know this is something special but doesn't make you stand out in traffic. A subtle black spoiler, wider arches, and some special wheels are the main differences to the regular Integra, and the tweaks are tastefully done. Overall, while it may not be a Maybach, there are lots of quality-of-life features here that make it a perfect cruiser. Pricing: Does A Luxury Hot Hatch Make Sense? AcuraFor $53,400, you're hoping to get a car that can do everything. It costs $6,000 more than the Honda it's based on, and while some might find it overpriced, we say you should drive it and find out where that money comes from. There might not be much change in straight-line performance, but the slightly softer dampers make it easier to live with day to day. And Acura is known for its rock-solid reliability.If you're mainly interested in how it drives, the Honda might be the better choice. It has a near-identical interior to the Acura but drives slightly more aggressively. If there were more premium standard features, like ventilated seats or even a large infotainment system, it'd be an easy recommendation.We'd test out both, and if you can find the Acura on offer, it's a blast to own and to drive. We think your neighbors will also love that exhaust.Sources: Acura, Honda