[joegro]

Basically the title. After a lot of shopping around it's pretty much down to these two (would be choosing the civic SI but cannot find one at MSRP). Considering both vehicles at MSRP which would you go for? Obviously this is an Integra forum so most people made that decision but does anyone regret choosing the Integra over the EN?

Thanks!

 

[Rainbrounicorn]

I mean, for me it came down to availability and how hard-core I wanted to be. I couldn't even drive an Elantra N before I got the Teggy (no dealers within a reasonable radius had one to try), and I wasn't going to put a deposit before trying it out. If I had the resources/time to track my car, I would have likely sprung for an Elantra N, but as it stands I am fine with a solidly fun car to drive without having a beast 😁 . What are your pros and cons between the two?

 

[joegro]

I mean, for me it came down to availability and how hard-core I wanted to be. I couldn't even drive an Elantra N before I got the Teggy (no dealers within a reasonable radius had one to try), and I wasn't going to put a deposit before trying it out. If I had the resources/time to track my car, I would have likely sprung for an Elantra N, but as it stands I am fine with a solidly fun car to drive without having a beast 😁 . What are your pros and cons between the two?

Integra:
Pros: Hatchback - this is one of the biggest selling points for me and why I would even consider it over an SI if I could find one at MSRP. I like to be able to fit bikes in the car without having to put my roof rack on
Audio system and general interior
fuel efficiency
looks better than the Elantra in my personal opinion, that liquid carbon metallic is beautiful
Cons: Performance

Elantra N
Pros: performance

Cons: literally everything else

My worry is that I'll regret what could have been with the EN, the Integra is a fun car but at the end of the day it's beaten 0-60 by a Sienna. Overall just torn between practicality and enjoying driving. I think it'll come down, as you said, to which vehicle I can find at MSRP and not having to wait.

 

[realmac]

Kinda funny one of my friends bought an Elantra N-Line, not N and I sat in it a few days ago. I'm don't like Hyundai due to their recall / reliability history. However the gauge cluster was comparable to the Integra, nice big buttons, bright displays, seats were comfortable, audio system didn't sound as good. N has more customizable interior lighting. It felt like a modern car and it good on gas, he loves it. The design is certainly unique and eye catching. Objectively speaking Honda has had a lot less engine problems than Hyundai. Outside of the engine dilution issues with the first year or two of the turbo 1.5 engine which they've made updates to address.

My opinion is most Hyundais will be fine for a few years if you do the recalls and get the right maintenance done. The performance aspect can't be denied (72hp more and 97ft/lb more torque). Off the line the Integra isn't going to hold a candle to the N but it's by no means a slow car. Integra type S will probably edge out a bit better there but cost at least $10k more if I had to guess.

The N-line has bigger / tires which are going to be a bit more expensive to replace. They're also summer tires vs all seasons. The manual gets 22/31/25 combined, auto is 20/30/23. Integra is 26/36/30 manual and 30/37/33 for CVT. N also has no wireless CarPlay or android auto which you do get on the a-spec tech package. Also Integra A+T has a 16 speaker ELS system vs 8 speaker Bose.

Integra gets 2 years of complimentary maintenance included too, Hyundai has 3. Hyundai offers a longer warranty but odds are with the Integra you won't have to use it.

 

[Rainbrounicorn]

My worry is that I'll regret what could have been with the EN, the Integra is a fun car but at the end of the day it's beaten 0-60 by a Sienna. Overall just torn between practicality and enjoying driving. I think it'll come down, as you said, to which vehicle I can find at MSRP and not having to wait.

I feel you, we have an Odyssey and my son asked if my new Integra was the fastest car we own, and I had to say no, the Odyssey was. He looked at me like, why would I buy the Integra then? He'll understand some day...

 

[JRMCR]

Good thoughts here. For me, it would be hard pass on the H/K car just because of their recent horrific recall/reliability record. My experience is that the Korean companies do a good job of making an attractive package, but they lack the below-the-surface quality, engineering and refinement of Toyota/Honda and maybe Nissan.

 

[johnv]

It comes down to how are you going to drive the car. According to OP, the only reason to get the EN is for performance.
THATS A GOOD REASON! This is an enthusiast site.
Me, in six months I've only taken the Integra out on the twisties once, and it was delightful. I need to do that again soon!
But if I did that 2 or 3 times a week, maybe the EN would be a better choice. I think Honda products are more desirable long term, but 8 years and 120K you should be good in a Hyundai.

 

[wheats027]

I have so many thoughts on this....
Quick background so you can understand the thought processes better. I actually own a 2018 Civic Type R and an S2000 and then my daily driver, which has morphed itself from a manual 2015 Honda Fit to a 2022 Civic Sport Touring (CVT) into the manual 23 Integra I own now.

I had an opportunity to drive an Elantra N (DCT) at a local/regional dealer and took the opportunity before purchasing the Integra. While test driving this car I immediately fell in love with its "shit eating grin" inducing performance and character. I had an absolute BLAST driving this thing. The dealership made me an offer on trading in my 22 Civic and sale price/financing on the N. I WAS SOOO CLOSE TO SIGNING THIS! the dealership actually gave me very see through/transparent numbers that were honest and more than fair. They actually made it quite hard for me to NOT buy this thing. It was so refreshing to have that type of good dealership experience in 2022. (Mastravito Hyundai in Utica,NY)

The car was so much fun that even owning a Civic Type R was not going to sway me from not purchasing another performance car so close to it as a daily. In fact I feel like I wanted the Elantra N even more now! I wanted to have a daily driver that was this monster automatic/dct trans car to get from A to B. To be able to drive the Civic Type R in all its glory and row through the gears all summer long in the nice months, just to get back into my daily and have it perform almost just as bonkers, sounded amazing to me.

So why didn't I buy it? Sometimes I still ask myself if I made the right decision. But as people have spoken here it came down to my comfort level with the brand. For starters it was very apparent that the interior fit and finish were not up to the same standard as a civic or integra. Secondly, the paint was noticeably bad. As in, the amount of hardcore swirl marks and the type of micro marring on the paint made me very scared for the car having very soft clearcoat (which is hard to maintain). Thirdly, the stories I have heard first hand and on news article outlets/ social media just left me too uncomfortable to trust the drivetrain of the Elantra N. Sure there is a 10 year 100k mile warranty, but I don't care. I don't want to spend any time at a dealership/service if I don't have to. I've heard of powertrains having issues early on even on UNMODDIFIED vehicles. That's unacceptable to me. Sure the Integra does not make anywhere near this power, but if left alone and all you do is stay up on oil changes I can tell you there is about a 0.001% chance it leaves me stranded on the side of the road. That has just been the going standard for the slew of Honda products I have owned. I can't IMAGINE having a transmission grenade itself 10k into a vehicles life with no modification or extra power.

I don't regret owning my Integra. I enjoy driving the Integra to and from work, having a bit of fun here and there and listening to its amazing ELS Studio.
But I would be lying to say that I don't think about the power of that Elantra N every other time I floor it in the Integra.

 

[youthfulyellow]

Pros: Hatchback - this is one of the biggest selling points for me and why I would even consider it over an SI if I could find one at MSRP.

 

[A-Spec]

Pros: Hatchback - this is one of the biggest selling points for me and why I would even consider it over an SI if I could find one at MSRP.

Welcome to the forum @youthfulyellow! Is there a specific spec you're looking for? Or just one at MSRP?

 

[JimmyM01]

Pros: Hatchback - this is one of the biggest selling points for me and why I would even consider it over an SI if I could find one at MSRP.

Have you owned any hatchbacks before? I always loved hatches, owned an older generation Integra and couldn't see myself with a vehicle that had a regular trunk, hatch is a must!

 

[Bpebler]

Some vehicles I think I could get used to looking at & liking it. Unfortunately, any Hyundai ever made is not that way for me. 0-60 times are important but also not incredibly realistic in this realm of cars when comparing it to how it handles the turns or on a circuit track. So we almost need to just pick one - 0-60 or handling turns. I sold my modded Trans Am to get back into the import world bc of the handling & joy of driving a more seamless manual transmission. Personally, I’ll be letting loose a lot more on a backroad or a circuit track. The 0-60 can be improved with mods also, but not so much that it kills the handling performance. Otherwise, I’d just go back into the LS world or spend the extra coin on a vehicle that can do both. Unfortunately, I plan on keeping my truck for comfort, family trips, work travel, hauling, towing, etc & can choose both. Integra is the next best thing for me since I’m not made of money. 😄

 

[realmac]

Curious if the OP decided to purchase either model or if he's still looking.

 

[JimmyM01]

Curious if the OP decided to purchase either model or if he's still looking.

Good question, he hasn't been back since posting this thread.
With Integra Type S coming out soon I hope he's holding out for that, can't beat a model that will offer both great performance and luxury.