The 2025 Mazda3 is a compact automobile obtainable as a sedan or 4-door hatchback and has a bonafide luxurious automobile really feel to it. In the meantime, the 2025 Acura Integra is a luxury-badged hatchback with a surprisingly reasonably priced mainstream price ticket, no less than in decrease trims.
The Mazda3 and Integra every boasts a wonderfully balanced chassis, punchy non-obligatory turbocharged engines, and exact steering, making them a pleasure to drive. Consider it or not, they’re among the many few remaining automobiles provided with an honest-to-goodness handbook transmission. A 6-speed handbook is on the market in choose trims of each the Mazda3 and Integra.
We’ve spent numerous hours testing these fun-loving compact vehicles. On paper, they compete with all the pieces from a sensible Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic to a complicated Audi A3 and BMW 2 Collection. How do they evaluate when pitted in opposition to one another? Let’s discover the highlights of the zippy Mazda3 and Integra.
2025 Mazda3

The 2025 Mazda3 sedan has a beginning worth of $25,135, together with the vacation spot payment, whereas the hatchback is barely dearer at $26,135.
Serving as the bottom powertrain is a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that sends energy to the entrance wheels courtesy of a 6-speed computerized transmission. That’s solely the tip of the iceberg concerning what the Mazda3 provides automobile consumers on the lookout for one thing thrilling to drive and straightforward to navigate in heavy visitors.
A half dozen trims are provided, and the range-topping 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus Hatchback instructions $38,135, together with vacation spot value.
Mazda3 Highlights
Physique type and engine decisions: Not solely is the Mazda3 obtainable as a sedan or hatchback, however there’s the choice of sticking with the bottom 191-hp 4-cylinder or going with an obtainable 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder that produces 227 hp (250 hp when operating on premium-grade gasoline). All-wheel drive (AWD) is non-obligatory on higher trims and commonplace on turbo fashions. The Premium model of the Mazda hatchback may even be had with a 6-speed handbook transmission.
Premium-grade cabin: We perceive that seeing the Mazda3’s worth soar past $30,000 might shock some compact automobile consumers. But when you’re behind the wheel, it’s clear this isn’t your common economic system automobile. In reality, the standard of the supplies used within the Mazda3 is exemplary and higher than what you discover in a number of pint-size luxurious vehicles and SUVs.
10.25-inch infotainment display screen: Beginning with the Carbon Turbo trim, the Mazda3 has a ten.25-inch infotainment display screen, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wi-fi Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Examine this week’s Honest Buy Worth or see the Mazda3 fashions on the market close to you.
2025 Acura Integra


The 2025 Integra is on the market in 4 foremost trims: Integra, Integra A-Spec, Integra A-Spec w/Expertise, and Kind S. The Kind S is the Acura model of the raucous Honda Civic Kind R. A 320-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is nestled within the engine bay and comes solely with a 6-speed handbook gearbox. Pricing for the Integra begins at $34,195, together with vacation spot.
Acura Integra Highlights
Kind S mannequin: There’s nothing unsuitable with the Civic Si-derived 200-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder utilized in most Integra fashions. Besides the 320-hp turbo 4-cylinder that scoots the Kind S down the highway is an absolute riot. Punch the fuel, row via the 6-speed handbook, and the dash from 0-60 mph takes simply 5.7 seconds. The Kind S additionally has a limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, and an adaptive suspension.
Worth and practicality: When contemplating a car with a luxurious badge, worth usually doesn’t issue a lot within the decision-making course of. However as Acura’s smallest and least costly mannequin, the Integra feels greater than worthy of its premium label. Customary options embrace artificial leather-based seating, heated entrance seats, computerized local weather management, smartphone connectivity, a moonroof, and ambient inside lighting.
A-Spec with Expertise package deal: We perceive the Kind S will enchantment to a slim spectrum of automobile consumers, each due to its manual-only transmission and base worth of effectively over $50,000. With this in thoughts, the Integra A-Spec with Expertise trim comes loaded with options and doesn’t break the bank. Beginning at $39,195, it has an adaptive suspension, a 9-inch touchscreen, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wi-fi Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, wi-fi gadget charging, and a crisp 16-speaker ELS audio system. It’s not the most cost effective Integra, however we predict it could possibly be the very best cut price of all the lineup.
Examine this week’s Honest Buy Worth or see the Integra fashions on the market close to you.
Similarities
The Mazda3 and Integra are compact vehicles with razor-sharp reflexes coupled with suspensions that make them each comfortable and sporty. They’re even moderately good on fuel, and each have efficiency variants that give them sports activities automobile ranges of efficiency. They’re additionally each in a dying breed of vehicles nonetheless obtainable with a handbook transmission.
Conclusion
Selecting between these two is troublesome since they’ve a lot to supply. In fact, the Mazda3 is the apparent decide for anybody who needs a significantly decrease base worth. Besides the enjoyable begins when venturing up the Mazda3 trim ranges, particularly ones with options like a 6-speed handbook transmission or all-wheel drive and that turbocharged 4-cylinder are on the menu. Downsides embrace restricted rear legroom – 2.3 inches lower than the Integra – and the sedan’s meager 13.2 cubic ft of cargo area.
The Integra is a welcome breath of recent air within the Acura vary. Sure, it’s based mostly on the identical platform because the Honda Civic, although the Integra doesn’t look or really feel like a gussied-up mainstream mannequin with a flowery badge on its grille. Refined and energetic, the Integra is a luxurious car minus any trace of snob enchantment. Nonetheless, a bit extra energy within the base engine and fewer inside noise on the freeway wouldn’t go amiss.
We recommend taking each for a check drive, particularly on a decent and twisty highway.
2025 Mazda3 | 2025 Acura Integra | |
Beginning Worth | $25,135 | $34,195 |
Widespread Powertrains | ||
Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Turbo 1.5-liter 4-cylinder |
Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 200 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
Torque | 186 lb-ft @ 1,800-5,000 rpm | 192 lb-ft @ 1,800-5,000 rpm |
Transmission | 6-speed computerized | CVT |
Gas economic system MPG | 27 metropolis/37 freeway/31 mixed | 30 metropolis/37 freeway/33 mixed |
Additionally Accessible | AWD; Turbo 2.5-liter 4-cylinder; 6-speed handbook | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, 6-speed handbook |
Specs | ||
Primary Guarantee | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Powertrain Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles |
NHTSA General Security | 5-Stars | 5-Stars |
Max Seating Capability | 5 | 5 |
Wheelbase | 107.3 inches | 107.7 inches |
General Size | 183.5 inches | 185.8 inches |
Width | 70.7 inches | 72.0 inches |
Top | 56.9 inches | 55.5 inches |
Turning Diameter | 34.8 ft | 38.1 ft |
Headroom, Entrance | 38.0 inches | 37.6 inches |
Headroom, 2nd Row | 37.3 inches | 36.4 inches |
Legroom, Entrance | 42.3 inches | 42.3 inches |
Legroom, 2nd Row | 35.1 inches | 37.4 inches |
Shoulder Room, Entrance | 55.7 inches | 57.0 inches |
Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 53.5 inches | 56.0 inches |
Cargo Quantity | 13.2 cubic ft | 23.4 cubic ft |