Acura Integra vs Mazda 3: Specs Compared
Also searched as Mazda 3 vs Acura Integra specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Acura Integra and Mazda 3 are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 33 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Across 3 measured categories, the Mazda 3 leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Acura Integra | Mazda 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 33 mpg | 33 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 30 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 37 mpg | 40 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,300 | $1,850 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 269 g/mi | 266 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI | SIDI, SIDI; With Cylinder Deactivation, SIDI; Without Cylinder Deactivation, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package |
| Transmissions | Manual 6-spd, Automatic (AV-S7) | Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Regular |
| EPA class | Large Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Years covered | 2023–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 15 | 97 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Acura Integra vs Mazda 3: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Mazda 3 burns about $1,850 of fuel annually against $2,300 for the Acura Integra. That $450 yearly gap compounds to roughly $2,250 over five years and $3,600 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Mazda 3 leads in both cycles — 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway against 30 and 37 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Powertrain choice: the Acura Integra is recorded with 1 distinct engine configuration (SIDI), the Mazda 3 with 4 (SIDI, SIDI; With Cylinder Deactivation, SIDI; Without Cylinder Deactivation). Across 15 recorded Acura Integra configurations and 97 for the Mazda 3, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Acura Integra is offered with Front-Wheel Drive, the Mazda 3 with 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Large Cars and Midsize Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Mazda 3 emits 266 g/mile of CO2 versus 269 g/mile for the Acura Integra. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Integra vs 3: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Acura Integra or the Mazda 3?
The Acura Integra and Mazda 3 are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 33 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Mazda 3 runs about $1,850 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,300 for the Acura Integra — a difference of roughly $450 per year.
What engines do the Integra and 3 offer?
Acura Integra: SIDI. Mazda 3: SIDI, SIDI; With Cylinder Deactivation, SIDI; Without Cylinder Deactivation, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Acura Integra as Large Cars and the Mazda 3 as Midsize Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Integra comparisons
More 3 comparisons
Comparison id: acura-integra-vs-mazda-3