Compared: 2023 Acura Integra vs. 2023 BMW 3 Series

Power comes at a cost, but the features come easy in this comparison.

Sami Haj-Assaad | 

Apr 5, 2024 | 3 min read

Acura | BMW

There are plenty of impressive entry-level luxury cars out there. One of the most popular is the BMW 3 Series, which has long been counted on to deliver a responsive drive and high-end cabin at a relatively reasonable price. But shoppers on a budget might find that the 2023 Acura Integra checks plenty of boxes, too, offering a fun yet fuel-efficient powertrain, a spacious cabin, and plenty of standard features.

Acura

The BMW Costs a Lot More Than the Acura

One knock against the 3 Series is that it has a relatively high starting price — around $45,000 for the entry-level 330i model, which sports a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and rear-wheel drive (RWD).

But the 3 Series does offer versatility. It can be had as a plug-in hybrid for an additional $1,100 or with all-wheel drive (AWD) for an extra $2,000. And drivers who want a bit more zip can upgrade to the six-cylinder M340i with 382 horsepower, which starts around $57,000. The AWD version is also $2,000 more.

BMW

The 2023 Acura Integra is significantly less expensive, starting around $32,000. All models of the 2023 Integra use a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower sent to the front wheels. While the base model uses a fuel-efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT), the top trim A-Spec w/ Technology Package uses a manual transmission for a price starting at about $37,000.

Acura

The Integra Is More Generous With Standard Safety Features

The 3 Series has just a few more standard features than the Integra, including three-zone automatic climate control, 40/20/40 split folding rear seats, and larger screens for the gauge cluster and infotainment system.

However, the Integra comes standard with a full suite of safety equipment, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high-beam headlights.

In contrast, the BMW comes standard with only auto emergency braking and auto high-beams. Additional features cost extra.

BMW

The BMW 3 Series Can Be More Efficient Than the Integra

If you're after the absolute best fuel efficiency, the plug-in BMW 330e would be tough to beat, returning 73 MPGe, 22 miles of all-electric range in EV mode, and 27 mpg in hybrid mode. The AWD 330e xDrive also impresses with 68 MPGe, 20 miles of EV range, and 26 mpg as a hybrid.

The gas-only 330i gets 25/34/29 mpg city/highway/combined, while the AWD version is EPA-rated at 24/33/27 mpg. The six-cylinder M340i manages 23/32/26 mpg in AWD form, but the RWD version is surprisingly a hair less efficient at 23/31/26 mpg.

The 2023 Acura Integra is more fuel-efficient than the gas-only BMWs. The Integra returns 30/37/33 mpg in base form and 29/36/32 mpg in A-Spec trim. The manual transmission-equipped A-Spec model isn't too shabby, either, delivering 26/36/30 mpg.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Sami Haj-Assaad

Sami Haj-Assaad is an award-winning automotive journalist who has contributed to several automotive, electric vehicle, luxury lifestyle, and technology publications. His work isn't just limited to the written word, as he's also hosted YouTube videos and podcasts. Having grown up in the '90s, he has a strong sense of attachment to that era's style, though he also loves to geek out about the modern, futuristic tech and powertrains rolling out today.