The 2025 Mazda3 is a compact car available as a sedan or 4-door hatchback and has a bonafide luxury car feel to it. Meanwhile, the 2025 Acura Integra is a luxury-badged hatchback with a surprisingly affordable mainstream price tag, at least in lower trims.
The Mazda3 and Integra each boasts a superbly balanced chassis, punchy optional turbocharged engines, and precise steering, making them a joy to drive. Believe it or not, they are among the few remaining vehicles offered with an honest-to-goodness manual transmission. A 6-speed manual is available in select trims of both the Mazda3 and Integra.
We’ve spent countless hours testing these fun-loving compact cars. On paper, they compete with everything from a practical Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic to a posh Audi A3 and BMW 2 Series. How do they compare when pitted against each other? Let’s explore the highlights of the zippy Mazda3 and Integra.
2025 Mazda3
The 2025 Mazda3 sedan has a starting price of $25,135, including the destination fee, while the hatchback is slightly more expensive at $26,135.
Serving as the base powertrain is a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that sends power to the front wheels courtesy of a 6-speed automatic transmission. That’s only the tip of the iceberg regarding what the Mazda3 offers car shoppers looking for something thrilling to drive and easy to navigate in heavy traffic.
A half dozen trims are offered, and the range-topping 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus Hatchback commands $38,135, including destination cost.
Mazda3 Highlights
Body style and engine choices: Not only is the Mazda3 available as a sedan or hatchback, but there is the option of sticking with the base 191-hp 4-cylinder or going with an available 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder that produces 227 hp (250 hp when running on premium-grade gasoline). All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on upper trims and standard on turbo models. The Premium version of the Mazda hatchback can even be had with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Premium-grade cabin: We understand that seeing the Mazda3’s price soar beyond $30,000 could surprise some compact car shoppers. Yet once you’re behind the wheel, it’s clear this is not your average economy car. In fact, the quality of the materials used in the Mazda3 is exemplary and better than what you find in several pint-size luxury cars and SUVs.
10.25-inch infotainment screen: Starting with the Carbon Turbo trim, the Mazda3 has a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Mazda3 models for sale near you.
2025 Acura Integra
The 2025 Integra is available in four main trims: Integra, Integra A-Spec, Integra A-Spec w/Technology, and Type S. The Type S is the Acura version of the raucous Honda Civic Type R. A 320-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is nestled in the engine bay and comes solely with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Pricing for the Integra starts at $34,195, including destination.
Acura Integra Highlights
Type S model: There is nothing wrong with the Civic Si-derived 200-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder used in most Integra models. Except the 320-hp turbo 4-cylinder that scoots the Type S down the road is an absolute riot. Punch the gas, row through the 6-speed manual, and the sprint from 0-60 mph takes just 5.7 seconds. The Type S also has a limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, and an adaptive suspension.
Value and practicality: When considering a vehicle with a luxury badge, value often doesn’t factor much in the decision-making process. But as Acura’s smallest and least expensive model, the Integra feels more than worthy of its premium label. Standard features include synthetic leather seating, heated front seats, automatic climate control, smartphone connectivity, a moonroof, and ambient interior lighting.
A-Spec with Technology package: We understand the Type S will appeal to a narrow spectrum of car shoppers, both because of its manual-only transmission and base price of well over $50,000. With this in mind, the Integra A-Spec with Technology trim comes loaded with features and doesn’t cost a fortune. Starting at $39,195, it has an adaptive suspension, a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, wireless device charging, and a crisp 16-speaker ELS audio system. It’s not the cheapest Integra, but we think it could be the best bargain of the entire lineup.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Integra models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Mazda3 and Integra are compact cars with razor-sharp reflexes coupled with suspensions that make them both comfy and sporty. They’re even reasonably good on gas, and both have performance variants that give them sports car levels of performance. They’re also both in a dying breed of cars still available with a manual transmission.
Conclusion
Choosing between these two is difficult since they have so much to offer. Of course, the Mazda3 is the obvious pick for anyone who wants a considerably lower base price. Except the fun begins when venturing up the Mazda3 trim levels, especially ones with features like a 6-speed manual transmission or all-wheel drive and that turbocharged 4-cylinder are on the menu. Downsides include limited rear legroom – 2.3 inches less than the Integra – and the sedan’s meager 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space.
The Integra is a welcome breath of fresh air in the Acura range. Yes, it’s based on the same platform as the Honda Civic, though the Integra doesn’t look or feel like a gussied-up mainstream model with a fancy badge on its grille. Refined and energetic, the Integra is a luxury vehicle minus any hint of snob appeal. However, a bit more power in the base engine and less interior noise on the highway wouldn’t go amiss.
We suggest taking both for a test drive, especially on a tight and twisty road.
| 2025 Mazda3 | 2025 Acura Integra | |
| Starting Price | $25,135 | $34,195 |
| Popular 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 automatic | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 27 city/37 highway/31 combined | 30 city/37 highway/33 combined |
| Also Available | AWD; Turbo 2.5-liter 4-cylinder; 6-speed manual | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, 6-speed manual |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Stars | 5-Stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 107.3 inches | 107.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.5 inches | 185.8 inches |
| Width | 70.7 inches | 72.0 inches |
| Height | 56.9 inches | 55.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 38.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.0 inches | 37.6 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 37.3 inches | 36.4 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.3 inches | 42.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 35.1 inches | 37.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.7 inches | 57.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 53.5 inches | 56.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 13.2 cubic feet | 23.4 cubic feet |