The Integra continues to reign as one of Acura’s most favourite vehicles. This year, the all-new 2023 Acura Integra has been recognized as the North American Car of the Year. It’s a title that holds a lot of weight. 

“The Integra is one of Acura’s most legendary and iconic nameplates, we are humbled and proud that the all-new Integra was bestowed with this prestigious award,” says James Marchand, Assistant Vice President Acura Canada. “It’s truly a testament to our talented engineers and manufacturing associates from around the world that developed and build it.”

Since 1994, the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year awards have recognized the best in automotive in terms of innovation and design, safety and technology, performance, value, and driver satisfaction. Fifty panelists made up of auto journalists from both Canada and the U.S. are responsible for ultimately determining the best in class.

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Is the 2023 Integra a good car

With its innovative design and unbeatable performance in its sector, the Integra’s North American Car of the Year award makes sense.

“The 2023 Acura Integra is serving the same role in the lineup as the original model that helped launch the brand three decades ago by bringing in the next generation of driving enthusiasts,” adds Emile Korkor, Assistant Vice President, Acura National Sales. “

There’s something for everyone in the 2023 Integra, which adds to its appeal. The award-winning high-output 1.5-liter turbocharged engine produces 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque and the paddle shifters add to its sportcar feel. The standard Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) gives drivers the option to choose between three different driving modes: comfort, normal and sport. The 5-door liftback, with its coupe-like design, also adds to the car’s overall sporty aesthetic. 

The 2023 Integra is also customizable. Drivers who want to be more in-tune with their machine might opt for the 6-speed manual transmission.

Another reason to admire the 2023 Integra: it’s the first-ever Integra to be built on North American soil. The latest gen shared the same line as the Acura TLX at the state-of-the-art production facility Marysville, Ohio. Integra also earned the highest safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) this past year, making it a top choice for safety.

To get inside of an all-new 2023 Integra, contact Policaro Acura today. 

Acura is stepping into the electrified era with the recent announcement of its leading fully-electric SUV models, the Acura ZDX and ZDX Type S, both of which are expected to hit the market in 2024.

The news of Acura’s electrified SUVs arrived in August at Monterey Car Week where the automaker unveiled a first look at its Precision EV Concept. The visually striking luxury sports utility vehicle, with smooth body sides, a floating roof and LED pentagonal grille, which is said to inspire the styling themes of the ZDX, is Acura’s push towards a new design direction.

The ZDX, which revives the name of a former Acura model, will be the first zero-emission SUV developed by the manufacturer, designed in the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles. This same location is where the original ZDX was first born.

While many details are to be speculated about the ZDX in terms of power and performance, Acura’s commitment to an outstanding driver experience within an all-electric landscape is heralded by the Type S spec announced alongside the base model.

Both ZDX variants are being developed on the highly flexible EV platform powered by Ultium batteries designed in partnership with General Motors and Acura’s parent company Honda. Acura will continue to release EV models with their own e:Architecture in 2026.

“Our accelerated path towards electrification begins today with the all-new ZDX, the Acura brand will play a key role in our overall corporate strategy to achieve 100-percent carbon neutrality by 2050 with more fully electric Acura models being introduced in the years to come,” James Marchand, Assistant Vice President, Acura Canada, said in a release.

“Precision Crafted Performance will remain at the heart of everything Acura does as, even in this new electrified era, we remain focused on performance with Type S at the forefront.”

Last year, Honda global CEO Toshihiro Mibe detailed a vision of carbon neutrality for products and corporate activities by 2050, including the target for 100 per cent of North American sales to be battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles by 2040.

For more information about the 2024 Acura ZDX and ZDX Type S in the days to come, subscribe to the Policaro Acura newsletter.

Whether you’re searching for a brand new 2023 Acura model or are considering a pre-owned vehicle, now is the perfect time to begin evaluating your next Acura purchase.

Planning and dealership consultation are the names of the game currently, as consumer demand in the automotive sector is at an all time high. Plus, with supply chain issues and a chip shortage, inventory continues to remain limited across North America.  With these factors in mind, here are a few tips to consider before buying a new or pre-owned Acura this season.

Plan your purchase ahead of time

When buying or leasing a vehicle, drivers generally look six months ahead to evaluate their options, whether it’s a newer model arriving at the dealership or a previous model with increased availability.

Currently, Policaro Acura is reaching out to guests between 12 to 18 months ahead of time in order to stay ahead of unexpected delays and extended wait times. This might feel extreme, but this added time creates a much needed buffer and helps avoid disappointment that can come with waiting until the six-month mark. Planning ahead allows customers to select their desired model, trim package and colour combinations while also taking advantage of the soaring equity new vehicles have on the market today.

Purchasing pre-owned vehicles

With heightened demand pointed towards the new car market, drivers searching for a pre-owned vehicle also have the advantage of an increased number of vehicle trade-ins arriving at dealerships across the country.

At Policaro Acura, we have insight into all incoming pre-owned inventory many months in advance. Guests searching for a pre-owned vehicle can be given insight into upcoming pre-owned inventory, receive a timeline for arrival and be placed on a unique order list to view the vehicles before they hit the consumer market.

To find a new or pre-owned Acura model, contact Policaro Acura today.

Policaro Acura has evolved over the past 35 years. We’ve adapted to industry challenges, built a strong family of Policaro Acura employees and fostered a passionate group of community members throughout the decades. 

The Group began its journey with Acura in 1987 with the launch of Canada’s first-ever Acura dealership, Acura 2000. It was an exciting time for the nation’s automotive industry and Policaro Group found itself at the forefront, providing Canadians with more access to the Japanese automaker than ever before.

Today, Policaro Acura and the entire Policaro Group is proud to continue to provide our customers with top-quality automotive engineering. We look forward to even more milestone years serving our community.

This year, the anniversary coincides with a big one for Acura Canada, too. The Acura brand is celebrating 35 years in Canada since its inception in 1987.

“We’re proud to celebrate 35 years of Acura in Canada. Our Canadian manufacturing and sales teams have played a strong role in the success of Acura in North America,” said James Marchand, Assistant Vice President, Acura Canada in a release. “We look forward to exciting times ahead, as we bring a new generation of Precision Crafted Performance to Canadians, with an all-new Integra coming this spring and an all-new electric SUV, launching in 2024.”

Acura was the first luxury brand from a Japanese automaker to manufacture and offer vehicles in Canada, and since 1987, an estimated 598,000 Acura luxury cars and SUVs have been sold across the country.

On home soil of Alliston, Ontario, the Honda of Canada Mfg plant has built more than 800,000 Acura vehicles, including the first-generation ZDX and MDX models as well as the EL and CSX sedans, exclusive to the Canadian market.

Currently, Acura has over 50 locations in its dealer network across the country, providing Canadians with five distinctive Acura vehicles, including the MDX and RDX SUVs, the TLX and ILX sedans as well as the NSX supercar. In addition to their current lineup, Acura has announced their plans for developing a large-sized EV model for a North American market in 2024, using GM’s Ultium battery.

For the first time since its arrival to the country in 1987, the iconic Integra nameplate is making a return to Canadian dealerships in June, with a starting price of $34,350.

Labelled as an icon for the next generation of enthusiast drivers, the 2023 Integra comes as a new performance gateway for Acura with its delivery of sporty engineering and advanced technology, packaged in a sleek liftback exterior that promises excitement.

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In preparation for the launch of the segment, here are five things you need to know about the 2023 Acura Integra:

Dressed to Impress

Inspired by the legacy of Integras before it, the 2023 model maintains a sporty coupe-like presence with its low cowl, liftback design. In contrast to its familiar profile, the modern reimagining allures with its Diamond Pentagon front grille, bordered by four JewlEye LED headlights, while the wide single piece LED tail lights pay homage to the older Integra generations.

The Integra nameplate is once again embossed in the front and rear fascia, while the A-Spec sport package adds gloss black front and rear fascia trim, distinct A-Spec badges, a lip spoiler as well as Shark Grey 18-inch alloy wheels.

A Premium Cabin Feel

Nearly every surface of the 2023 Integra features high-quality materials for a distinct and comfortable driving experience.

Highlighted by a sleek black trim, the climate control vents resemble the diamond mesh pattern of the grille. Synthetic leather front seats with 8-way power adjustments are now body-stabilizing and heated, while rear passengers enjoy generous legroom. The rear seatbacks may additionally be folded flat to expand the cargo area.

And for a performance edge, the A-Spec package adds stainless steel pedals, contrast stitching on the steering wheel, seats, shifter and shift boots, as well as striking red gauge needles. The Elite A-Spec package includes 12-way power seats for the driver.

An Exhilarating Driving Experience

Setting a new standard for modern engineering, the first-ever factory turbocharged Integra sports a 1.5-litre VTEC turbo 4-cylinder engine, producing 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. Integra’s standard CVT automatic transmission is specifically tuned for the high-output of the turbo engine, responding quickly, while the rigid body, sport-tuned chassis and fully independent suspension system all deliver comfortable, sporty handling.

Drivers will have a choice of three select driving modes (Comfort, Normal and Sport) through the standard Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), which provides correlating transmission mapping, throttle response, steering feel and gauge coloration.

The available segment-exclusive 6-speed manual transmission model offers additional performance personality features, such as automatic rev matching on downshifts and power distribution through the helical limited-slip differential when accelerating out of corners.

Integra’s Elite A-Spec Package also adds adjustments to in-cabin engine sound and a  personalized “Individual” driving mode for customized IDS settings for driver preference.

Segment-Leading Technology

Integra’s class-leading technology boasts a standard 10.2-inch Acura Precision Cockpit digital gauge cluster featuring multiple display modes and a 7-inch digital touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The Elite A-Spec Package increases the digital touchscreen to 9-inches, with built-in Alexa integration, Qi wireless charging and a 5.3 Heads-Up Display.

Safety Around Every Turn

Finally, the 2023 Integra arrives with Acura’s extensive suite of standard safety features and driver-assisting technologies.

Included in Integra’s standard AcuraWatch are the Collision Mitigation Braking Systems, which distinguish between vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles; the Traffic Sign Recognition, Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and the Lane Keeping Assist System.

Further advancements have been made to the driver and passenger front airbags, designed to cradle the head and reduce the risk of brain injuries in the result of a collision. Acura’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure additionally provides collision protection, distributing impact force from other vehicles as well as pedestrians, reducing the likelihood of injury.

Acura is yet again setting the bar for automotive safety and ingenuity. 

Two of Acura’s SUV models, the 2022 MDX and 2022 RDX, alongside its luxury sedan, the 2022 TLX, have achieved Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The IIHS is a non-profit organization founded by insurance companies to help understand, track, and prevent vehicular accidents. As an organization, it’s their job to intentionally crash vehicles and measure how they and their dummy passengers fare. The Institute puts vehicles through rigorous evaluations including vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian collision testing, front crash prevention and the often challenging passenger-side small overlap test, in order to make its final judgment.

In these crashworthiness tests, vehicles are given ratings, the pinnacle of which is the TSP+, reserved for those that exceed all six trials. 

The 2022 MDX, 2022 RDX and 2022 TLX all received TSP+ status. 

Each of the Acura models tested received “Superior” ratings for the AcuraWatch driver-assistive and safety technology, which is critical technology in mitigating vehicle-to-vehicle frontal crash prevention. This system incorporates a Collision Mitigation Braking System with Pedestrian Detection; Forward Collision Warning; Road Departure Mitigation with integrated Lane Departure Warning; Lane Keeping Assist System; and Adaptive Cruise Control. The intelligent and safety-forward systems of AcuraWatch are a force to be reckoned with and this technology now comes standard on every new Acura model.

In addition to intuitive onboard safety systems to assist drivers, Acura models are also equipped with the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. ACE features a series of connected structural elements that distribute crash force evenly across the front of the vehicle, protecting occupants in the event of frontal collisions. Pretensioning front seatbelts, as well as front, side, knee and side-curtain airbags work ​​concurrently to mitigate the impacts of a collision on passengers.

Acura 2022 IIHS Award Winners:

• 2022 Acura MDX (TSP+)
• 2022 Acura RDX (TSP+)
• 2022 Acura TLX (TSP+)

When it comes to any Acura model, safety is as important as the engineering and stylistic features that often take the spotlight of a new release.

Through advancing research and technology, Acura is consistently pushing the boundary of what it means to be safe and secure behind the wheel, ultimately creating a zero-collision society with their lineup of SUVs and cars.

Introducing AcuraWatch, the manufacturer’s standard safety package that’s powered by the radar unit housed within the vehicle’s grille and a high-resolution camera mounted behind the windshield. The combination of these two systems provides drivers with a set of advanced driver assistance systems, including lane-keeping assistance, collision warning and braking, and speed and distance maintenance.

span style=”font-weight: 400;”>One of the key features of the AcuraWatch system is the Forward Collision Warning System, which automatically provides drivers with audio and visual cues moments before a collision is predicted, allowing them to take immediate corrective action. If no reaction is detected, the Collision Mitigation Braking System will apply the brakes automatically.

During travel, the Adaptive Cruise Control allows drivers the freedom of a maintained speed between 30 and 150 km/h, automatically adjusting speed and braking to hold a desired speed and follow adjacent vehicles from a safe distance. Many Acura models will additionally come to a halt with traffic from speeds under 30 km/h, the exception being the Acura ILX, which does not include this feature.

AcuraWatch additionally includes the Lane Keeping Assist System which autonomously analyses road markings and detects a lane change through the use of turn signals. If the vehicle unexpectedly drifts from the current lane, a merge is conducted without a signal or the lane is obstructed, the system will alert the driver to take action and will steer the vehicle back into the centre of the lane. Road Departure Mitigation also assures the vehicle remains on the pavements, applying the brakes in critical situations.

AcuraWatch and its systems are currently available in all Acura SUV and sedan models. Acura owners can additionally opt in and out of select features. Soon, the introduction of the 2022 TLX sedan will add a Driver Monitoring System, a Traffic-Sign Recognition System, and Traffic-Jam Assistance to the AcuraWatch features list.

In Q1 2022, Acura has released information on its current and upcoming roster of vehicles, with technical, performance and aesthetic changes arriving with the 2022 offerings. Many updates and refreshes are coming to Acura’s SUV lineup, including Acura’s flagship MDX, while excitement continues to build around the 2023 Acura Integra announcement.

Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening at Acura in 2022.

2023 Acura Integra

Acura’s iconic Integra revival, slated for arrival this year, has sparked excitement throughout the automotive community. The Integra is speculated to be a hybrid delivery with a stylistic homage to its predecessors of the 80s and 90s models.

2022 Acura NSX

The second generation of the NSX will arrive in the new year with the Type S badge and transformative changes to the power and performance of the hybrid sports car. The NSX Type S will receive a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 and a three-motor hybrid system for a combined 600 hp.

Subtle changes to the NSX’s tuning are set to make a lasting impression, as this will be the final generation of the NSX lineup. The gearbox will receive a new rapid downshift mode, the adaptive damper system has been re-tuned and an available lightweight package will offer a 58-pound weight reduction, carbon-ceramic brakes, unique engine cover and interior design changes.

Aesthetic changes, such as a reshaped front spoiler, larger rear diffuser and more angular front intake vents cement the short-lived legacy of the sports car, which will be limited to 350 units when it arrives.

2022 Acura RDX

The RDX received a substantial aesthetic facelift this year, introducing refined chrome trim around the grille, large air intake and a redesign around the available LED fog lights. Reshaped cutouts for the new rectangular exhaust tips are also featured in the rear.

Inside the cabin, occupants will notice a decrease in road and engine noise through heightened changes in the RDX’s Active Sound Control system. Wireless charging pads are now offered as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration coming standard. Drivers purchasing this year’s RDX are additionally provided with the option of pairing the Advance Package with the A-Spec package.

2022 Acura MDX

While keeping the standard 290-hp 3.5-litre V6 engine of previous MDX iterations, the 2022 Acura model arrives on an all-new chassis platform for a longer and wider vehicle. This increase in size allows the MDX more interior cargo and passenger space.

A stiffer body structure, updated suspension and brakes are packaged into the standard model release, while an MDX Type S is available, offering a superior performance boost, featuring a 355-hp 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine

Surrounded by the fully realized spirit of the 1980s and 90s, revived at the RADwood SoCal Car Show, Acura delivered the first in-person look at the long-awaited 2023 Integra Prototype, a soon-to-be re-envisioned model that originally heralded the automaker to Canada in 1987.

The Integra returns with a distinctive coupe-like exterior body designed in Japan, with a sloping roofline and liftback tailgate, taking notes from the five-generation history of the namesake. This callback to classic models is further referenced by the vehicle’s muscular rear wheel arches and aggressive rear fascia with dual-exhaust, the body work finished with an iconic Indy Yellow Pearl paint job and Berlina Black accents.

Despite the homage of aesthetics to a beloved era of now classic car culture, the 2023 Integra is well equipped to surpass today’s standards for performance and comfort behind the wheel. The revived classic features Acura’s first-ever factory-turbocharged engine, with an available six-speed manual transmission and 1.5-litre motor.

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“The Integra is an exciting new chapter in the history of one of the most iconic models Acura has ever built,” said James Marchand, Assistant Vice President Acura Canada. “It’s return marks our commitment to delivering performance-focused and fun to drive vehicles that are rich in style, versatility and attainable to a variety of consumers and lifestyles.”

While the sporty five-door, with its signature frameless Diamond Pentagon grille and LED lights was sure to turn heads during its reveal, its presence among its multi-generational brethren further cemented the spirit of RADwood this past month.

Acura displayed ten multi-generational Integra models on loan from private owners and collection halls across the country, including championship-winning race cars, replicas and the actual Integra GS-R from The Fast and The Furious, all celebrating the automotive lifestyle of Acura in the 1980s and 1990s.

More details about the 2023 Acura Integra are expected early next year with it’s arrival in Canadian dealerships at a starting price within the mid $30,000s.

Photo credit: Sean Dirk

For many vehicle owners, the odometer is a reflection of memories and moments spent behind the wheel, remembered at every momentous mile marker. For 1992 Acura NSX owner Sean Dirk, that reflection came after nearly 20 years of ownership and 400,000 miles of road travelled.

After purchasing the NSX in the early 2000s from its original owner, Dirk has spent the past 17 years behind the wheel of his daily driver, adding up 330,000 miles of road trips, daily commutes and a surprisingly low number of journeys to the mechanic shop.

Besides a full suspension rebuild some 20,000 miles before the 400k mark, Dirk had only encountered one significant issue with his early production NSX involving the transmission’s snap rings, a common problem in the early 90s lineup of the NSX. Facing a crippled transmission at the 123,000 mile mark, Dirk swapped the vehicle’s gear set for a final drive system found within the reliable NSX-R with a tighter 4.23 ratio.

At its core, his NSX largely remains in factory condition with only minor adjustments to the vehicle’s exhaust, wheels and a few others. Even after its repair, the suspension system was rebuilt to stock specifications, continuing the overall performance and reliability of the NSX.

Dirk’s NSX is one of 8,997 models produced and sold to drivers in the U.S. over a 15 year period, offered with 3.0 and 3.2-liter V6 four-speed automatic engines. And while performance technology has advanced significantly since the 90s, it’s the stories found within those 400,000 miles that keep this particular NSX on the road today.