Compare the2025 Acura IntegraVS 2025 Hyundai Sonata

The Acura Integra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sonata doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S has a standard Low-Speed Braking Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Sonata doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the Integra and the Sonata have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

The Acura Integra achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Sonata has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 5 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Integra’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (200 vs. 191) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 181) than the Sonata’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Integra Type S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (320 vs. 290) than the Sonata N Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Hyundai Sonata 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Integra gets better mileage than the Sonata:

The Integra has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sonata doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura Integra higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Hyundai Sonata (4 to 6). This means the Integra produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Sonata every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Acura Integra at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Hyundai Sonata is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

The Integra has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Sonata doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Integra’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Sonata:

The Integra stops much shorter than the Sonata:

For better traction, the Integra has larger standard tires than the Sonata (215/50R17 vs. 205/65R16). The Integra Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sonata (265/30R19 vs. 245/40R19).

The Integra’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonata SE’s standard 65 series tires. The Integra Type S’ tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Sonata N Line’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Integra has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Sonata SE.

The Integra has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Sonata doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Integra offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Sonata’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Integra Type S handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Sonata SEL AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Integra Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the Sonata SEL AWD (24.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The Acura Integra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Hyundai Sonata.

The Integra is 7.5 inches shorter than the Sonata, making the Integra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 55% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

The Integra A-Spec CVT with Technology Package has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Sonata doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Integra A-Spec with Technology Package, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Sonata doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Integra’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Sonata doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and warning readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sonata doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Integra’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sonata’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The Sonata SEL/N Line’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S’ standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Sonata’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Consumer Reports rated the Integra’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Sonata’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Integra’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Sonata SEL/N Line.

When the Integra A-Spec with Technology Package is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Sonata’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura Integra, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Hyundai Sonata isn't recommended.

The Type S was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Sonata has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Integra as the 2023 North American Car of the Year. The Sonata has never been chosen.