2024 Acura Integra Type S Observations

[Clark_Kent]

I didn't want to muddy up @savagegeese 's thread with thoughts from my personal, although limited, interaction with the DE5 Integra Type S so thought it best to start a new one. This could also be a space for others to share their thoughts after personal experiences with the car via test drives, walkarounds, or ride alongs.

I was able to spend about 90 minutes yesterday morning with the ITS at a local dealership. I've been in contact with the General Sales Manager over the last several months and true to his word, he sent me an e-mail last week when the car arrived. I was able to drive it, perform the interior/exterior walkaround, and chatted with the General Sales Manager for a bit. The car was Platinum Pearl White with the Red/Dark Metal Trim interior. The car also had about $8,000 in dealership add-ons some of which included the following Genuine Acura Accessories:

• 19" Copper-Finish Alloy Wheels ($2,186)
• Valve Stem Caps ($29)
• Emblems Gloss Black Type S ($240)
• Emblems Gloss Black A-Mark Rear ($80)
• Illuminated Front A-Mark ($350)
• Carbon Fiber Tailgate Spoiler ($950)
• Carbon Fiber Door Mirror Cover ($600)
• Black Wheel Locks ($93)
• Premium Carpet Floor Mats Type S ($240)
• Titanium Shift Knob ($200); and
• Alcantara Steering Wheel ($400)

I obviously didn't have the opportunity to live with the car for days or get to take it to the track but I have a few observations I'd like to share.

What I Liked
-Interior orientation and ergonomics are similar to the 11th gen Civic
-Factory wheels look good and are especially nice in the copper finish
-Power delivery felt smoother and more refined than the FL5 CTR. It's clear there is slightly more power in the ITS and it's noticeable on the street
-NVH is better when compared to the FL5 CTR
-Exhaust is still relatively quiet but an upgrade over the CTR exhaust system
-ELS STUDIO 3D Premium Audio system sounds good! It's more bass forward but it offers a more immersive audio experience. I'm certain with ample configuration, it will serve the likes of most.
-Suspension tuning is more livable for daily driving across all Drive Modes
-Transmission - no further explanation needed.

What I Didn't Like
-Seats. This was a big miss. I expected a more supportive and aesthetically pleasing seat for this type of car.
-Throttle overrun in Sport+ Drive Mode is something I could do without. It's interesting the "Civic Type R for Adults" has an exhaust that crackles and pops.
-Gloss black trim on the interior console.
-Styling. The exterior styling is decent and works for 2023 but I don't expect it to age well.
-Very light clutch pedal. I like a little resistance for clutch feel
-Rev hang. It's still there and very annoying
-No LogR or equivalent
-It doesn't feel "special". It's difficult to articulate that feeling but you know it when you see it/feel it.
-Sticker price. $52K is still a very difficult number to get comfortable with relative to what you're getting.

Bottom Line
The ITS was about what I expected it to be. Some wins, some misses, and a few surprises. It's a solid offering, good for the Honda/Acura brand and great for enthusiasts. While enjoyable enough, I didn't walk away thinking, "I would buy that car!" or "I prefer this over my FL5 CTR." The challenge for me is still the price point of $52K which will undoubtedly rise throughout the production cycle. The other side of that is it appears this car can be had for MSRP, and quite frankly, below if you're a savvy buyer and/or willing to wait. Early indications are that anyone who wants an ITS should be able to get one at a fair price.

I'll end with the following: the reviews from Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and the YouTubers are fantastic, but there's no better opinion than your own. Go out and drive the car yourself. Take advantage of dealers allowing people to demo this thing and drive the wheels off it. Unfortunately, that's not something you can do with the CTR at this juncture. Anyhow, I look forward to hearing from others who have had the opportunity to drive the ITS.

Gallery (added on June 29)

Emblems Gloss Black Type S ($240), Emblems Gloss Black A-Mark Rear ($80), Carbon Fiber Tailgate Spoiler ($950).

19-in Copper-Finish Alloy Wheels ($2,186), Valve Stem Caps ($29), Black Wheel Locks ($93)

Illuminated Front A-Mark ($350)

Carbon Fiber Door Mirror Cover ($600)

Gloss black console trim

Titanium Shift Knob ($200). Not clear if this knob scratches easily but there is a very noticeable scratch on the left.

Infotainment screens are primarily black and white (these icons are in color in the FL5 CTR). I'm not sure if this was covered in one of the YouTube reviews but there is no native Navigation app. If you want to utilize navigation you will need to use the applications via Andriod Auto or Apple Carplay.

Vehicle Settings displays icons in color.

Steering Wheel -Alcantara ($400). Note the gloss black trim surrounding the airbag cover.

Illuminated Door Sill Trim Set ($460) and Premium Carpet Floor Mats Type S ($240). The 'Type S' door sills are a nice touch and appear to be of higher quality than the 'Type R' door sills.

Close up of the tacked on rear fenders #1

Close up of the tacked on rear fenders #2

Close up of the tacked on rear fenders #3

MSRP + $5,000 ADM + $7,949 in accessories = $65,544. This vehicle was sold on 6/29. The sales consultant told me all demos are owned by Acura and NOT the dealerships. I found that interesting but did not verify.

 

[Robert.C]

I didn't want to muddy up @savagegeese 's thread with thoughts from my personal, although limited, interaction with the DE5 Integra Type S so thought it best to start a new one. This could also be a space for others to share their thoughts after personal experiences with the car via test drives, walkarounds, or ride alongs.

I was able to spend about 90 minutes yesterday morning with the ITS at a local dealership. I've been in contact with the General Sales Manager over the last several months and true to his word, he sent me an e-mail last week when the car arrived. I was able to drive it, perform the interior/exterior walkaround, and chatted with the General Sales Manager for a bit.

I'm surprised they let you drive it. I wonder if test drives will be readily available for this car, because I know the FL5s are behind lock and key.

 

[SPH]

I've was worried about the Type R suspension before buying but over the first 900 miles I am more than happy with the stock ride in comfort and sport on these bumpy Ohio roads. For me that was the main concern in the CTR over the ITR.

How are the looks of the Integra in person compared to photos/video? The Type R looks way better in person, wondering if the same is true for the Type S.

 

[ne_typer]

Did the clutch feel different than the FL5?

 

[Clark_Kent]

I'm surprised they let you drive it. I wonder if test drives will be readily available for this car, because I know the FL5s are behind lock and key.

Based on my discussions with the GSM months ago, I got the impression demo cars will be sent to dealerships for people to drive. He didn't specify if this would be system-wide, but it was very clear early on that I would be able to drive the car when it came in. In fact, I explicitly asked him if I could drive it, and the response was, "yes." I followed that up with the same inquiry last week when he reached out to say the car had arrived and the answer was the same. I also noticed you're in California. Everything is different in California, for better or worse, so YMMV.

 

[Clark_Kent]

I've was worried about the Type R suspension before buying but over the first 900 miles I am more than happy with the stock ride in comfort and sport on these bumpy Ohio roads. For me that was the main concern in the CTR over the ITR.

How are the looks of the Integra in person compared to photos/video? The Type R looks way better in person, wondering if the same is true for the Type S.

I agree the FL5 CTR looks much better in person than in photographs. The ITS in person more or less looked directionally consistent with the photographs and videos I've seen online. It does not have the same road presence in my opinion the way the FL5 CTR does over the other Civic trims.

When I arrived at the dealership, I parked four spots away from the ITS and didn't immediately notice that was it. In all fairness, I wasn't looking for it. I was focused on parking and making my way into the dealership. It wasn't until I walked outside with the salesman and we started approaching the ITS that I realized I was parked just four spots away from it. The styling is very on brand with Acura and in many ways looks a lot like the other models (TLX, Integra, RDX, and MDX) so it did blend in a bit. The front end of every car in their lineup essentially looks the same. That is not the case with Honda.

Did the clutch feel different than the FL5?

See comments above under "What I Didn't Like". Yes, the clutch felt incredibly light and thus different than the FL5 CTR.

 

[menikmati]

-Seats. This was a big miss. I expected a more supportive and aesthetically pleasing seat for this type of car.

If they had some way of putting the FL5 seat into the Type S, I would be sold.

-No LogR or equivalent

Does this mean that there are no datalogging capabilities or no digital gauges (oil/coolant temp, G meter, etc) at all?

 

[Bazgab]

I'm surprised they let you drive it. I wonder if test drives will be readily available for this car, because I know the FL5s are behind lock and key.

Like OP said, they are allowing test drives as there will be demo cars at select dealerships. I am awaiting the call any day now for a test drive after getting updated by a sales manager last week. I am basically 100% wanting the FL5 now though so it will be more to see what a similar platform feels like since FL5 test drives are not a thing.

 

[Integra23]

I agree the FL5 CTR looks much better in person than in photographs. The ITS in person more or less looked directionally consistent with the photographs and videos I've seen online. It does not have the same road presence in my opinion the way the FL5 CTR does over the other Civic trims.

When I arrived at the dealership, I parked four spots away from the ITS and didn't immediately notice that was it. In all fairness, I wasn't looking for it. I was focused on parking and making my way into the dealership. It wasn't until I walked outside with the salesman and we started approaching the ITS that I realized I was parked just four spots away from it. The styling is very on brand with Acura and in many ways looks a lot like the other models (TLX, Integra, RDX, and MDX) so it did blend in a bit. The front end of every car in their lineup essentially looks the same. That is not the case with Honda.

See comments above under "What I Didn't Like". Yes, the clutch felt incredibly light and thus different than the FL5 CTR.

This is good news that it didn't standout from the lineup.. when I upgrade my Aspec maybe a certain someone won't notice?

 

[Clark_Kent]

If they had some way of putting the FL5 seat into the Type S, I would be sold.



Does this mean that there are no datalogging capabilities or no digital gauges (oil/coolant temp, G meter, etc) at all?

There are no datalogging capabilities and no digital gauge readout similar to what is found in LogR on the FL5 CTR; however, there are gauges (i.e, boost, G-Meter) you can configure to display in the 10.2" digital instrument cluster. One thing I found peculiar in the ITS is the infotainment screen that displays the various icons such as All Apps, Bluetooth Audio, System Updates, Phone, SiriusXM, etc. are in black and white and not in color like the FL5 CTR.

 

[Estoril4]

I'm confused as to all the comments about how the Type S is more grown up looking. Looks great but it's angular/sharp lines, aggressive tacked on flares, a bit overstyled rear end diffuser with 3 exhaust tips, and exhaust pops and bangs, am I taking crazy pills? Is a wing the only thing that defines grown up vs not?

 

[BatesMotel6]

I'm confused as to all the comments about how the Type S is more grown up looking. Looks great but it's angular/sharp lines, aggressive tacked on flares, a bit overstyled rear end diffuser with 3 exhaust tips, and exhaust pops and bangs, am I taking crazy pills? Is a wing the only thing that defines grown up vs not?

Boy, oh boy, do I feel seen thanks your comment, Estoril. I feel EXACTLY the same. Rear wing = not mature apparently. Maybe I’m going too far, but the Integra also gives me FK8 vibes with the tacked on wheels arches and front air scoops. That doesn’t exactly scream “mature” to me, but I’m not mad about the aggression of it all. At least interior is more mature though (Read: no red floors, seat belts)…

 

[Estoril4]

Boy, oh boy, do I feel seen thanks your comment, Estoril. I feel EXACTLY the same. Rear wing = not mature apparently. Maybe I’m going too far, but the Integra also gives me FK8 vibes with the tacked on wheels arches and front air scoops. That doesn’t exactly scream “mature” to me, but I’m not mad about the aggression of it all. At least interior is more mature though (Read: no red floors, seat belts)…

Don't get me wrong I really enjoy how they both look and have the chance to buy either at msrp so trying to stay unbiased for the time being but that's one aspect that's confused me. Perhaps it's the badge as well? I could see the black S interior being called more mature but the red interior I thought looked a bit brash and unfinished, granted I'd cover up a lot of the red in the type R if I went that route as well..

It reminds me of when I drove the tail a few years ago in my black fk8 (with nsx wheels and removed red pinstripe so about as toned down as things got). Parked next to a group of enthusiasts and when I returned to the car the guys next to me were talking about the R and mentioning how over the top it was. The guy verbatum parroted a review from youtube that I had watched the evening before where the reviewer mentioned the styling, then proceeded to turn around and get into his vehicle. A blue STI with yellow wheels and a giant wing on the back. I must literally be taking crazy pills lol

 

[Clark_Kent]

I'm confused as to all the comments about how the Type S is more grown up looking. Looks great but it's angular/sharp lines, aggressive tacked on flares, a bit overstyled rear end diffuser with 3 exhaust tips, and exhaust pops and bangs, am I taking crazy pills? Is a wing the only thing that defines grown up vs not?

Boy, oh boy, do I feel seen thanks your comment, Estoril. I feel EXACTLY the same. Rear wing = not mature apparently. Maybe I’m going too far, but the Integra also gives me FK8 vibes with the tacked on wheels arches and front air scoops. That doesn’t exactly scream “mature” to me, but I’m not mad about the aggression of it all. At least interior is more mature though (Read: no red floors, seat belts)…

Agree. Generally speaking, the ITS is presented in a more polished package relative to the FL5 CTR, but there are some elements that contradict this grown-up persona it's being given.

 

[NoelPR]

At least is cheaper than many CTRs out there. Something extremely odd but isn't a surprise because many Integra ASpec can be bought for less than some Civic SI with excesive markups.

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