Getting a sports sedan that balances price with performance
More and more traditional family sedans are disappearing with each passing year, but there’s plenty of hot competitors hanging around the industry. Among them are the 2026 Audi S3 and Acura Integra Type S. Both models deliver plenty of raw power and are competitively priced for their segment. Depending on your driving preferences, one sports sedan could overtake the other and prove to be both a solid daily driver and weekend track car.
Audi
Acura
Redesigned for the 2024 model year, the Acura Integra Type S arrives for 2026 with no significant changes. It’s a similar story for the Audi S3, which saw substantial changes for its 2025 iteration. The German automaker did away with the model’s usual trim levels in favor of a single trim with more standard equipment.
Read on to see which sports sedan takes home a victory in performance, practicality, tech, and more.
The Integra Type S offers a more engaged driving experience
Priced from $53,400, the Acura Integra Type S is the more expensive of the two models. It comes stocked with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces five additional horsepower compared to the Honda Civic Type R. In total, the turbo four offers 320 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, the latter of which is available at just 2,600 rpm. A standard six-speed manual transmission sends power to the front wheels. The 2026 Integra Type S earns 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
Zac Palmer
Acura
Acura
Available from $52,000 on the dot, the Audi S3 features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that offers a bump in horsepower compared to the Integra Type S, up to 328 ponies, and 295 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox transmits power to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drivetrain. With that setup, the S3 can tap 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. While not as powerful as its 394-horsepower RS3 sibling, the S3 has plenty of pep in its step. The 2026 Audi S3 is rated for 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
The Integra Type S is the more practical choice
At a glance, the Integra Type S resembles a four-door sedan, but looks can be deceiving. While not as wild as its Honda cousin, the Integra Type S features all the practicality of the hot hatch. It offers up to 37.6 and 42.3 inches of front headroom and legroom respectively. Rear passengers get up to 37.4 inches of legroom. All in all, the Integra Type S seats up to five passengers with 95.8 cu ft. of space. The performance model also shares the Civic Type R’s hatch, offering 24.3 cu ft. of dedicated cargo space.
The Acura Integra Type S costs a pretty penny more than the Civic Type R, but it comes with added features as well. For example, the Civic isn’t available with heated front seats. The top-spec Integra also includes several exclusive performance features, like a leather and aluminum shift knob, a dark interior trim, and Type S sport appearance package.
Acura
Acura
Featuring traditional sedan styling, the Audi S3 seats up to five passengers. Up front, the S3 offers up to 36.8 inches of headroom and 41.2 inches of legroom. Rear passengers get up to 36.6 and 35.2 inches of headroom and legroom respectively. As for cargo space, the S3 tops out at 8.3 cu ft. in the trunk. That’s a far cry from the practicality offered by the Acura Integra Type S.
The sportier version of the A3 sedan, the Audi S3 comes equipped with several premium performance features, like stainless steel pedals and aluminum door sills. A compact gear shifter plays to the cabin’s rather simplistic styling. As far as comfort goes, leatherette surfaces and three-zone automatic climate control with rear controls add to the premium feel of the Audi S3.
Tech is a close a contest
The Acura Integra Type S comes stock with several displays, namely a nine-inch touchscreen, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and 5.3-inch head-up display. You can ditch the wires when it comes to smartphone connectivity. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. There’s also a smartphone charging pad on the docket. A 16-speaker ELS premium audio system, complete with a subwoofer and two overhead Highline speakers, makes driving the Integra Type S a premium experience.
Acura
Acura
The Audi S3 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, but you’ll pay extra for a head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility comes standard, but a wireless smartphone charging pad remains an option. A 15-speaker Sonos premium sound system and four USB ports rounds out the list of standard tech.
The Integra Type S leads in standard safety, warranty
Naturally, both the Audi S3 and Acura Integra Type S offer an abundance of driver assistive systems. Unfortunately, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has given an overall rating to either model. Notably, however, the IIHS named the 2025 Integra a top safety pick, while the S3 earned respectable safety scores in its own right.
The S3 and Integra Type S both come equipped with advanced safety systems, like automatic high-beam headlights and rear cross traffic alert. Due to its manual transmission, the Integra Type S doesn’t include traffic jam assist, low collision braking, or low-speed follow. If you want adaptive cruise control, park assist, or lane departure warning in the S3, you’ll need to opt for the driver assist plus package to the tune of an additional $1,500.
Acura
New vehicle warranties are often standardized throughout the industry, but there are occasionally some exceptions. Both the Audi S3 and Acura Integra Type S are covered by a four-year or 50,000-mile new vehicle warranty. While the S3 offers an identical powertrain warranty, the Integra Type S does it one better with six years or 70,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
Exterior design: Optional packages could tip the scales
The 2026 Acura Integra Type S and Audi S3 are slick sports sedans with curves complemented by LED lighting and performance wheels. While the German model gets 18-inch 10-spoke wheels, its Japanese counterpart rides on athletic 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels in shark gray finish accented by red Brembo front brake calipers.
Optional features are plentiful, regardless of which performance model you choose. While 18-inch wheels come stock on the Audi S3, you can opt for 19-inch wheels, with prices ranging from $800 to $1,800. The German model is also available with Nappa leather upholstery with red or gray stitching for another $1,000. There’s an $1,800 black optic package, which as the name implies, includes blacked-out elements. If you want a sportier aesthetic, the S sport package features red brake calipers and a sport suspension with damper control for $1,100. If you prefer a two-toned look, you can pay another $300 for a black roof.
Acura
Zac Palmer
Much like the S3, the Acura Integra Type S comes with a long list of optional equipment and upgrades. For starters, if 19-inch shark gray wheels aren’t your style, you can opt for 19-inch wheels in a copper finish to the tune of $2,226. The Japanese performance car is also available with plenty of carbon fiber, with side mirror covers starting at $612. Opting for a heated steering wheel will cost you another $485, while illuminated door sills add $470 to the model’s price.
Final thoughts
Zac Palmer
Sports sedans aren’t a dime a dozen, but the 2026 Audi S3 and Acura Integra Type S are among the most competitive models in the industry. Designed to deliver performance at a value, both models offer over 300 horsepower, plenty of tech, and a premium interior. If you want a more engaging driving experience, you can’t go wrong with the Integra Type S and its six-speed manual gearbox. For a more relaxed daily driver that can burn rubber, the S3 is a true contender.
About the author
Joseph Pudlewski
Contributing Writer, Autoblog