Compare the2026 Acura IntegraVS 2026 Hyundai Elantra

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Acura Integra have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Elantra doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Acura Integra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 Elantra doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Integra Automatic has standard Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Elantra doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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 Elantra doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S has standard Parking Sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Elantra doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the Integra and the Elantra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura Integra is safer than the Hyundai Elantra:

	Integra	Elantra
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	191 lbs.	268 lbs.
Neck Compression	19 lbs.	51 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	42%
Neck Stress	151 lbs.	177 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura Integra is safer than the Hyundai Elantra:

	Integra	Elantra
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.2 inches
Abdominal Force	226 lbs.	239 lbs.
Hip Force	301 lbs.	327 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	345
Spine Acceleration	60 G’s	68 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	646 lbs.	954 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Integra first among small premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Elantra was rated third in its category.

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.

Engine

The Integra’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 more horsepower (200 vs. 147) and 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 132) than the Elantra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Integra Type S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 173 more horsepower (320 vs. 147) and 178 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 132) than the Elantra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

	Integra	Elantra
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	8.4 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	12 sec	13.8 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.4 sec	4.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.9 MPH	87.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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 Elantra doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Integra	Integra Type S	Elantra
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	13.8 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	12 inches	10.3 inches

The Integra’s standard front disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The front discs on the Elantra are solid, not vented.

The Integra stops much shorter than the Elantra:

	Integra	Elantra
70 to 0 MPH	145 feet	175 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	100 feet	116 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Integra has larger standard tires than the Elantra (215/50R17 vs. 195/65R15). The Integra Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Elantra (265/30R19 vs. 225/45R17).

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 Elantra SE’s standard 65 series tires. The Integra Type S’ tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Elantra SEL/Limited’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Integra has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Elantra SE. The Integra Type S’ 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Elantra SEL/Limited.

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 Elantra doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Acura Integra has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Hyundai Elantra has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Integra has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Integra flat and controlled during cornering. The Elantra’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

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 Elantra’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Integra Type S handles at 1.02 G’s, while the Elantra Limited pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Integra Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the Elantra Limited (24.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Integra a Large car, while the Elantra is rated a Mid-size.

The Integra has .9 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Elantra.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Integra’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Elantra’s useful trunk space.

The Integra’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Elantra’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

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 Elantra 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 Elantra 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 Elantra doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Integra’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Elantra has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

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 Elantra’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

On a hot day the Integra’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Elantra can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Integra has a standard Keyless Access System that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Elantra SEL Sport/Limited offers a Proximity Key.

The Integra’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Elantra’s passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Integra’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Elantra’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. 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.

Consumer Reports rated the Integra’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Elantra’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 Elantra SEL Sport Premium/Limited.

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 Elantra’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Compared to traditional radio, the Acura Integra’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Elantra Limited.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura Integra has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Elantra SEL Sport/Limited offers wireless charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura Integra and the Hyundai Elantra, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Type S was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Elantra 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 Elantra was last chosen in 2021.

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