The Integra Automatic has standard Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Mazda3 doesn't offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Integra and the Mazda3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura Integra is safer than the Mazda3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura Integra is safer than the Mazda3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Integra comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 3's 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura's powertrain warranty covers the Integra 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the 3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Mazda3 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Integra first among small premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Mazda3 isn't in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Mazda.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports' March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 1 place higher in reliability than Mazda.

The Integra's standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 14 more horsepower (200 vs. 186) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 186) than the Mazda3's standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Integra Type S' standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 70 more horsepower (320 vs. 250) than the Mazda3's optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda3 4 cyl. (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda3 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Integra gets better mileage than the Mazda3 Sedan:

On the EPA test cycle the Integra gets better mileage than the Mazda3 Hatchback:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Integra (except Type S)'s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Mazda3 doesn't offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Integra has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it's removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Mazda3 doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura Integra higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Mazda3 (4 to 6). This means the Integra produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Mazda3 every 15,000 miles.

The Integra has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Mazda3 doesn't offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Integra's brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda3:

The Integra stops much shorter than the Mazda3:

For better traction, the Integra has larger standard tires than the Mazda3 (215/50R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Integra Type S' tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mazda3 (265/30R19 vs. 215/45R18).

The Integra's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mazda3 S' standard 60 series tires. The Integra Type S' tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Mazda3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium's 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Integra has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda3 S. The Integra Type S' 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Mazda3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

The Integra has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle's integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Mazda3 doesn't offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the Acura Integra has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda3 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Integra has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Integra flat and controlled during cornering. The Mazda3's suspension doesn't offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Integra offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Mazda3's suspension doesn't offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Integra has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Mazda3 doesn't offer variable-assist power steering.

The Integra Type S handles at 1.02 G's, while the Mazda3 Carbon Edition Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Integra Type S executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.6 seconds quicker than the Mazda3 Carbon Edition Sedan AWD (24.5 seconds @ .76 average G's vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G's).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Integra a Large car, while the Mazda3 is rated a Compact.

The Integra has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mazda3 Sedan (95.8 vs. 92.8).

The Integra has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mazda3 Sedan.

The Integra has a much larger trunk than the Mazda3 Sedan (24.3 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Integra's hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don't intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Mazda3's useful trunk space (except wagon).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 9% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 10th.

The Integra's standard easy entry system glides the driver's seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Mazda3 doesn't offer an easy entry system.

The Integra's standard Keyless Access System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Mazda3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car. Push Button Start is not available on the Mazda3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

The Integra's standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn't have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Mazda3 S' standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the Integra's headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Mazda3's headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Integra's standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the Mazda3 Select Sport/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

Compared to traditional radio, the Acura Integra's standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Mazda3 Premium.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura Integra has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Mazda3 Carbon/Premium offers wireless charging.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura Integra and the Mazda3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Type S was chosen as a Car and Driver's “Top Ten” for 2024. The Mazda3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Integra as the 2023 North American Car of the Year. The Mazda3 has never been chosen.