Forget the Special Editions! The Base 2023 Honda Civic and Acura Integra Have What You Need

The 2023 Acura Integra Type S and the 2023 Honda Civic Type R debuted in the past year and caused quite a hubbub among the automotive press and the public. Both cars sure are noteworthy with their 300-hp powertrains, sporty suspensions, and killer looks. However, not everyone needs a sharp-shooting sporty hatchback to get their veins pumping during their daily commute.

In fact, most drivers most likely don’t need a sports car at all to sit in traffic and run errands. In that case, I would argue that the entry-level 2023 Honda Civic and new Integra have what everyone needs – including a sub-$40,000 price tag.

What do the base 2023 Honda Civic and Acura Integra come with?

Back in the 90s and early 2000s, the base Honda Civic barely came with power windows and door locks. Fortunately, it’s 2023, and buyers can revel in all of the power amenities the Honda Civic comes standard with and then some. The most notable standard equipment on the Civic LX includes a 158-hp engine, 16-inch wheels, a 180-watt sound system, a 7-inch infotainment screen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The base Civic might not seem fancy considering it has cloth seats, but with a starting price of $23,750, it’s hard to complain.

However, if any drivers want more than what the 2023 Honda Civic LX offers, the base Acura Integra may have what they desire. The entry-level Integra comes standard with faux leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, a powered moonroof, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.

The Integra also has a 200-hp turbocharged engine mated to an automatic transmission, like the Civic. A manual transmission is only available on the top-trim A-Spec and Civic Si.

What kind of gas mileage do the Honda Civic and Acura Integra get?

Commuters can rejoice because the 2023 Honda Civic LX can achieve up to 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The 2023 Acura Integra fares a little worse, with an estimated 30 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. But considering it has a more powerful engine, the small difference in fuel economy is understandable.

The Honda Civic Type R and Acura Integra Type S aren’t the only cars to write home about

Although the Honda Civic Type R and Acura Integra Type S are the current stars of their respective lineups, the base models deserve some attention. We tested the Honda Civic Touring and Acura Integra A-Spec models in the past year and found them to be enjoyable for daily driving duties.

They both returned good fuel economy numbers, and were comfortable, and fun to drive despite their lack of power. If anything, both cars proved that you don’t need 300 hp to have fun or get to work. Sometimes, you only need the entry-level model to get you from point A to B. As a bonus, you won’t need to pay over $40,000 for either of them.