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The 2026 Acura Integra Type S weighs 3,219 pounds against the Audi S3’s 3,549 — 330 pounds less. It comes standard with a 6-speed manual, adaptive dampers, 19-inch wheels on 265/30-19 tires and adaptive cruise control, all of which are either optional or unavailable on the S3, and it offers 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space against 8.3.
This is the purest driver’s-car comparison in the Acura lineup. Both are compact performance cars from premium brands, and they take almost opposite approaches to getting the job done.
The S3 uses quattro all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch gearbox to put power down. The Type S uses less weight, a wider front tire, a limited-slip differential and a manual gearbox. Which philosophy you prefer is the whole decision.
| Specification | 2026 Acura Integra Type S | 2026 Audi S3 quattro S tronic |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,219 lb | 3,549 lb |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual, standard | S tronic dual-clutch; manual not available |
| Tires | 265/30-19 | 225/40-18 |
| Adaptive dampers | Standard, with Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual | S Sport Package, additional cost |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard | Driver Assistance Package, additional cost |
| Body style | 5-door liftback | 4-door sedan, no liftback |
| Max cargo volume | 24.3 cu ft | 8.3 cu ft |
| Premium audio | 16-speaker ELS STUDIO 3D | 15-speaker Sonos |
| Front / rear legroom | 42.3 / 37.4 in | 41.2 / 35.2 in |
| Powertrain limited warranty | 6 years / 70,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Figures as published by each manufacturer. Audi package content varies by model year.
330 pounds is a very large margin between two cars of this size. At 3,219 pounds the Type S has a better power-to-weight ratio than the numbers alone suggest, and the benefit shows up in braking distances and direction changes as much as in acceleration.
The tire difference is just as significant. The Type S runs 265/30-19 rubber; the S3 runs 225/40-18. Forty millimeters of extra width across the front axle is a great deal of additional contact patch, and it is standard rather than an upgrade.
| Specification | Integra Type S | S3 |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,219 lb | 3,549 lb |
| Tires | 265/30-19 | 225/40-18 |
| 19-inch wheels | Standard | Additional cost |
The Type S comes standard with a close-ratio 6-speed manual, a limited-slip differential and automatic rev-matching. Audi does not offer a manual S3 — the S tronic dual-clutch is the only choice.
If a third pedal is what you want in a car like this, the comparison ends here. The S3 cannot give it to you at any price.
The Adaptive Damper System is standard on the Type S, part of the Integrated Dynamics System with Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual modes. On the S3, adaptive dampers require the additional-cost S Sport Package.
| Specification | Integra Type S | S3 |
|---|---|---|
| 6-speed manual | Standard | Not available |
| Limited-slip differential | Standard | Not offered with a manual |
| Adaptive dampers | Standard | S Sport Package |
24.3 cubic feet against 8.3. The Type S is a liftback and the S3 is a sedan, and that is close to a three-fold difference in usable space. Very few cars ask you to give up this little practicality for this much performance.
Rear legroom is 37.4 inches against 35.2, and front legroom 42.3 against 41.2.
Adaptive cruise control is standard on the Type S and inside an additional-cost package on the S3. The ELS STUDIO 3D system runs 16 speakers against the S3’s 15-speaker Sonos setup. And the Type S wireless charger sits in a more accessible position than the S3’s, which is buried inside the center console.
| Specification | Integra Type S | S3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max cargo volume | 24.3 cu ft | 8.3 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | 37.4 in | 35.2 in |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard | Additional cost |
| Premium audio | 16-speaker ELS STUDIO 3D | 15-speaker Sonos |
quattro all-wheel drive is the S3’s trump card. In the wet, in the cold, or launching hard, it will put power down in a way the front-drive Type S cannot match — and it will do it without asking anything of the driver.
The S tronic dual-clutch shifts faster than any human can with a manual, and for a driver who wants point-to-point speed rather than involvement, that is the right tool.
Audi interior quality remains a class benchmark, and the S3 is the more comfortable car to sit in during a long commute.
The Type S is the more involving car and the more practical one, and it is not close on either count: a standard manual, standard adaptive dampers, far more tire, 330 fewer pounds and nearly three times the cargo space.
The S3 is the better all-weather tool and the faster car in a straight line from a standstill, thanks to quattro and the dual-clutch.
If you want to be involved in the driving, drive the Type S. If you want the car to handle it for you, drive the S3. Both are honest answers.
No. Audi offers the S3 with the S tronic dual-clutch only. The Acura Integra Type S comes standard with a close-ratio 6-speed manual, a limited-slip differential and automatic rev-matching.
330 pounds. The Type S weighs 3,219 pounds against the S3’s 3,549.
The Integra Type S runs 265/30-19 tires as standard. The S3 runs 225/40-18. The Acura also comes standard on 19-inch wheels, which are an additional cost on the S3.
No. The Type S is front-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential. The Audi S3 has quattro all-wheel drive, which is a genuine advantage in poor weather and from a standing start.
24.3 cubic feet, because it is a 5-door liftback. The Audi S3 is a sedan and offers 8.3 cubic feet.
No. Adaptive dampers on the S3 require the additional-cost S Sport Package. The Adaptive Damper System is standard on the Integra Type S, with Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual modes.
Elk Grove Acura, 8585 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757. Sales 833-857-1325. Sales hours Monday–Saturday 9 AM–8 PM, Sunday 10 AM–7 PM.
Specifications, features and pricing are as published by each manufacturer at the time of writing and are subject to change. Competitive figures are drawn from manufacturer-published product information. Starting MSRP excludes tax, title, license, destination and handling, registration and documentary fees, and dealer-installed accessories. Dealers set actual selling prices. Feature availability varies by trim and may change during the model year — confirm equipment on the window sticker of the specific vehicle you are considering. Driver-assistance systems are aids only and do not replace safe driving; see the Owner’s Manual for limitations.