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10 Posts
I picked my Integra up last Wednesday and have put 300 miles on it so far, I haven't seen a lot of CVT reviews so I figured I would write a quick one. I ordered the liquid carbon with the red interior and the tech package. As far as accessories, I did the all weather floor mats, trunk tray and seat back protectors - all seem well worth it. I also was able to get the car in right away to get it tinted at a local shop and ended up doing 20% ceramics all the way around, the night pictures are pre-tint tho.
So far driving it has been an absolute blast, I was worried originally about choosing the CVT, but I will be daily driving it into the city and my wife needs to be able to drive it as well so the 6 speed was off the table for me, if you ordered the CVT, don't worry, you'll like it more than you expect if you are like me -- I did test drive the 6-speed and it felt just like my old 08 Civic Si's gear box, congrats to anyone who was able to go with the 6-speed, its a great choice.
That being said, if you are daily driving this in stop and go, don't give it a second thought -- I don't mind the CVT nearly as much as I feared, I actually like a lot about it. There is more than adequate passing power in traffic and on the highway. Once you get it to about 4k RPM the car really lights up and can be almost as engaging of a drive. I believe v-tech kicks at 5k and it can definitely still put a smile on your face, the car is best and delivers more than enough power between 3k to redline (I know what the stats say with torque curves, etc. in terms of how it feels, the car lives up to the heritage and wanted to be revved high). It is super smooth as well and the mpg I have been getting has been above what's rated (around 34-36 in mixed driving).
This car equipped with the CVT will not be winning any drag races though, don't try to kid yourself into thinking you're going to be beating anyone stock at a red light in this car. Hitting the gas from around 20mph+ the car is very engaging and fun, the car produces enough torque to push you into your seat and put a grin on your face - but from a total stop it takes high 7 seconds to hit 60 with the first 15-20mph leaving a bit to be desired.
This car is not for drag racing though, stock it never has been and never will be. Same with its SI counterparts. Even in the 6 speed off the line is still 7+ seconds (albeit faster than the CVT). The power is very accessible once moving and I have found the transmission to be way more responsive than I expected it to be with throttle inputs. The synthetic gears don't really show up until around 60 mph when flooring it and are less present than I expected they would be (regardless if the transmission is in drive or sport), the only way to really have the car feel like its shifting regularly is to use the paddle shifters.
The paddle shifters on that note are surprisingly fun. I have had other automatics with paddles and never had much interest in them, but in this car they're fun to play with because the transmission is actually incredibly responsive, not quite a DCT but definitely faster than any other automatic I have driven. They're great for holding rpm when racing through the corners or when you want to set yourself up for some quick overtaking on the highway.
The car is also QUIET when driving it like a normal person. I was actually shocked with how quiet the cabin is. The only noise that really comes through is from the tires on less than ideal road surfaces (namely cement). My other car is a $60K+ Volvo and the Integra has it beat for the cabin volume. The ride is smoother than expected as well. Not floaty, but definitely a lot more livable than something like a WRX or GTI.
I can't really tell that big of a difference between the different suspension settings when going straight down the road like some have claimed in reviews, but in sport you definitely get less body roll in the corners than in normal mode. The cars suspension is sporty but comfortable. You won't be displeased with how the car handles or rides. There is no setting to get it to ride like a WRX and I think that's actually a selling point.
The steering is one of my favorite parts about this car. I have my individual mode set to "sport" and I would suggest leaving it there. The car has go-kart like steering. Point and shoot. Sport gives it a nice heaviness that isn't fatiguing but feels like the car is an extension of your inputs.
The tech in the car is great, the non tech a-spec wasn't on my list due to it lacking some of the niceties I have come to enjoy in my cars. I LOVE the sound system. I always order the upgraded sound in my cars. I have had Bose, Harman Kardon, Infinity, Alpine and Sony branded systems and this one blows them all out of the water. If it's in budget, I would order the tech just for the sound system alone. The HUD is awesome, super bright and clear, shows ur car play nav info as well as lane departure and adaptive cruise information. The 9in touch screen is more than enough screen and the wireless car play has worked flawlessly so far. Seats are very adjustable and comfortable and the interior quality is definitely above what you get in the civic. One thing to note though, you can choose any interior ambient color you'd like as long as it is white...seems like a weird omission to me when its a feature marketed as a tech only feature, but still looks nice and matches the rest of the switch gear in the car.
I do wish the car had a few other things as well, especially the ones I find to be weird omissions though. Why does this car not have a home link garage door opener in the mirror when the civic sport touring does? Chip shortage? The lack of factory navigation (while I wont miss it) does seem very weird as well (civic sport touring has nav included). I think power folding and dimming side mirrors in this class should have been included, also ventilated seats would have been a nice touch. I think its also weird that they gatekeep the 9in touch screen in the tech package when it can be had in the Civic SI. I think SH-AWD would have been awesome as an option for the Integra, but I get it with it sharing the civic platform and having fuel economy advantage over the competitors, also for a car that weighs in at only 3k lbs, I think winter tires would probably outperform AWD w/ all seasons either way. Some have griped about the lack of a pano roof, but that one doesn't bother me at all.
All in all, very happy with my purchase and so far have loved driving the new Integra-...almost just as much as my 6 speed 2008 Civic SI...almost.
So far driving it has been an absolute blast, I was worried originally about choosing the CVT, but I will be daily driving it into the city and my wife needs to be able to drive it as well so the 6 speed was off the table for me, if you ordered the CVT, don't worry, you'll like it more than you expect if you are like me -- I did test drive the 6-speed and it felt just like my old 08 Civic Si's gear box, congrats to anyone who was able to go with the 6-speed, its a great choice.
That being said, if you are daily driving this in stop and go, don't give it a second thought -- I don't mind the CVT nearly as much as I feared, I actually like a lot about it. There is more than adequate passing power in traffic and on the highway. Once you get it to about 4k RPM the car really lights up and can be almost as engaging of a drive. I believe v-tech kicks at 5k and it can definitely still put a smile on your face, the car is best and delivers more than enough power between 3k to redline (I know what the stats say with torque curves, etc. in terms of how it feels, the car lives up to the heritage and wanted to be revved high). It is super smooth as well and the mpg I have been getting has been above what's rated (around 34-36 in mixed driving).
This car equipped with the CVT will not be winning any drag races though, don't try to kid yourself into thinking you're going to be beating anyone stock at a red light in this car. Hitting the gas from around 20mph+ the car is very engaging and fun, the car produces enough torque to push you into your seat and put a grin on your face - but from a total stop it takes high 7 seconds to hit 60 with the first 15-20mph leaving a bit to be desired.
This car is not for drag racing though, stock it never has been and never will be. Same with its SI counterparts. Even in the 6 speed off the line is still 7+ seconds (albeit faster than the CVT). The power is very accessible once moving and I have found the transmission to be way more responsive than I expected it to be with throttle inputs. The synthetic gears don't really show up until around 60 mph when flooring it and are less present than I expected they would be (regardless if the transmission is in drive or sport), the only way to really have the car feel like its shifting regularly is to use the paddle shifters.
The paddle shifters on that note are surprisingly fun. I have had other automatics with paddles and never had much interest in them, but in this car they're fun to play with because the transmission is actually incredibly responsive, not quite a DCT but definitely faster than any other automatic I have driven. They're great for holding rpm when racing through the corners or when you want to set yourself up for some quick overtaking on the highway.
The car is also QUIET when driving it like a normal person. I was actually shocked with how quiet the cabin is. The only noise that really comes through is from the tires on less than ideal road surfaces (namely cement). My other car is a $60K+ Volvo and the Integra has it beat for the cabin volume. The ride is smoother than expected as well. Not floaty, but definitely a lot more livable than something like a WRX or GTI.
I can't really tell that big of a difference between the different suspension settings when going straight down the road like some have claimed in reviews, but in sport you definitely get less body roll in the corners than in normal mode. The cars suspension is sporty but comfortable. You won't be displeased with how the car handles or rides. There is no setting to get it to ride like a WRX and I think that's actually a selling point.
The steering is one of my favorite parts about this car. I have my individual mode set to "sport" and I would suggest leaving it there. The car has go-kart like steering. Point and shoot. Sport gives it a nice heaviness that isn't fatiguing but feels like the car is an extension of your inputs.
The tech in the car is great, the non tech a-spec wasn't on my list due to it lacking some of the niceties I have come to enjoy in my cars. I LOVE the sound system. I always order the upgraded sound in my cars. I have had Bose, Harman Kardon, Infinity, Alpine and Sony branded systems and this one blows them all out of the water. If it's in budget, I would order the tech just for the sound system alone. The HUD is awesome, super bright and clear, shows ur car play nav info as well as lane departure and adaptive cruise information. The 9in touch screen is more than enough screen and the wireless car play has worked flawlessly so far. Seats are very adjustable and comfortable and the interior quality is definitely above what you get in the civic. One thing to note though, you can choose any interior ambient color you'd like as long as it is white...seems like a weird omission to me when its a feature marketed as a tech only feature, but still looks nice and matches the rest of the switch gear in the car.
I do wish the car had a few other things as well, especially the ones I find to be weird omissions though. Why does this car not have a home link garage door opener in the mirror when the civic sport touring does? Chip shortage? The lack of factory navigation (while I wont miss it) does seem very weird as well (civic sport touring has nav included). I think power folding and dimming side mirrors in this class should have been included, also ventilated seats would have been a nice touch. I think its also weird that they gatekeep the 9in touch screen in the tech package when it can be had in the Civic SI. I think SH-AWD would have been awesome as an option for the Integra, but I get it with it sharing the civic platform and having fuel economy advantage over the competitors, also for a car that weighs in at only 3k lbs, I think winter tires would probably outperform AWD w/ all seasons either way. Some have griped about the lack of a pano roof, but that one doesn't bother me at all.
All in all, very happy with my purchase and so far have loved driving the new Integra-...almost just as much as my 6 speed 2008 Civic SI...almost.
