A Detailed Look at the Efficiency and Performance of Every 2026 Acura Engine

April 20 2026,

A Detailed Look at the Efficiency and Performance of Every 2026 Acura Engine

From the turbocharged 1.5-litre that slips the Integra into morning traffic on Boulevard René-Lévesque, to the 3.0-litre turbo V6 that gives the MDX Type S a different kind of Saturday-drive character on Route 125, the 2026 Acura lineup is built around a focused set of powertrains. There are no hybrids to sort through, no optional engines per trim — each model in the lineup is paired to the engine Acura's engineers believed suited it best.

For Montreal shoppers comparing one Acura against another, that clarity makes the decision more about what you want the car to do than about spec sheets. This guide walks through every 2026 Acura engine one at a time, using the official numbers from the 2026 specification sheets, and closes with a side-by-side comparison table so you can see the lineup at a glance.

2026 Acura Integra — 1.5-Litre Turbocharged 4-Cylinder (A-SPEC, Elite A-SPEC)

The 2026 Integra is the starting point for the lineup and the entry into Acura's performance-leaning side. Its VTEC-enhanced, DOHC 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder produces 200 hp at 6,000 rpm and 192 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm.

Two transmissions are offered depending on trim. The A-SPEC and Elite A-SPEC come with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) tuned for the turbo engine, with Step Shift programming to simulate gear changes under acceleration. The Elite A-SPEC is also available with a 6-speed manual, and we'll get to that trim's sibling next.

Fuel economy on the CVT is rated at 8.0 / 6.3 / 7.3 L/100 km (city / highway / combined). Premium unleaded (91 octane) is recommended, and the fuel tank holds 46 litres.

2026 Acura Integra Type S — 2.0-Litre Turbocharged 4-Cylinder

The Integra Type S sits at the performance end of the compact lineup, and its engine is different from the rest of the Integra range in almost every way. It uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder with VTEC — a larger displacement, lower compression ratio, and higher redline than its 1.5-litre sibling.

  • 320 hp at 6,500 rpm
  • 310 lb-ft of torque from 2,600 to 4,000 rpm
  • 6-speed manual transmission (standard)
  • Helical limited-slip differential
  • 7,000 rpm redline
  • Adaptive Damper System with sensor
  • Brembo front 4-piston braking system

Fuel economy is rated at 11.1 / 8.3 / 9.9 L/100 km, and the Type S requires Premium unleaded (93 octane) to deliver its full output.

2026 Acura ADX — 1.5-Litre Turbocharged 4-Cylinder (AWD Standard)

The ADX is the brand's compact SUV entry, and it uses the same 1.5-litre displacement as the base Integra but tuned for crossover duty. The 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder here produces up to 190 hp at 6,000 rpm and up to 179 lb-ft of torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm.

Unlike the front-wheel-drive Integra, the ADX routes power through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Sequential SportShift paddle shifters, and every ADX trim ships with All-Wheel Drive and Acura's Intelligent Control System.

Fuel economy lands at 9.1 / 7.7 / 8.5 L/100 km across the lineup, with a 53-litre tank. This is the Acura engine most focused on efficient everyday duty — ideal for drivers who want Acura safety and AWD confidence without stepping into a larger displacement.

2026 Acura RDX — 2.0-Litre Turbocharged 4-Cylinder (SH-AWD Standard)

The RDX sits in the middle of the SUV lineup and uses a larger, more powerful 4-cylinder than the ADX. The 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, with 16-valve DOHC VTEC architecture, delivers up to 272 hp at 6,500 rpm and up to 280 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm.

Power is sent through a 10-speed Shift-by-Wire automatic transmission and routed to all four wheels through Acura's fourth-generation Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), standard on every RDX trim. Fuel economy ranges from 9.9 L/100 km combined on the base RDX to 10.3 L/100 km combined on the A-SPEC and Platinum Elite A-SPEC. Towing capacity is 680 kg (1,499 lbs). Premium unleaded (91 octane) is recommended.

2026 Acura MDX — 3.5-Litre SOHC i-VTEC V6 (Tech, A-SPEC, Platinum Elite A-SPEC)

The three-row MDX returns with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6, still the right match for a seven-passenger family SUV where low-rpm torque delivery and long-haul refinement matter more than headline horsepower. The 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC V6 uses Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) and produces 290 hp at 6,200 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm.

A 10-speed Shift-by-Wire automatic transmission and standard SH-AWD are paired to the engine across all three non-Type S trims. Fuel economy is rated at 12.6 / 9.4 / 11.2 L/100 km, and towing is available at either 1,360.8 kg (3,000 lbs) or 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs), depending on configuration.

2026 Acura MDX Type S Ultra — 3.0-Litre Turbocharged V6


At the top of the MDX range sits the Type S Ultra, with an engine exclusive to the trim: a 3.0-litre, 24-valve, direct-injected SOHC i-VTEC V6 with a single twin-scroll turbocharger. Peak output is 355 hp at 5,500 rpm and 354 lb-ft of torque from 1,400 to 5,000 rpm.

Supporting hardware matches the engine's ambition:

  • Adaptive air suspension with auto-levelling
  • Brembo front 4-piston braking system
  • Type S-exclusive Sport+ and Lift drive modes
  • Active exhaust valve
  • 21-inch Berlina Black wheels on 275/40 R21 self-sealing tires

Fuel economy is 13.8 / 11.2 / 12.4 L/100 km, and Premium unleaded (91 octane) is recommended.

2026 Acura Engine Lineup — At a Glance

Model

Engine

Horsepower

Torque

Drivetrain

Fuel Economy (L/100 km, combined)

Integra A-SPEC / Elite A-SPEC

1.5L Turbo I4

200 hp

192 lb-ft

FWD

7.3

Integra Type S

2.0L Turbo I4

320 hp

310 lb-ft

FWD

9.9

ADX

1.5L Turbo I4

Up to 190 hp

Up to 179 lb-ft

AWD

8.5

RDX

2.0L Turbo I4

Up to 272 hp

Up to 280 lb-ft

SH-AWD

9.9

MDX (Tech / A-SPEC / Platinum Elite A-SPEC)

3.5L V6

290 hp

267 lb-ft

SH-AWD

11.2

MDX Type S Ultra

3.0L Turbo V6

355 hp

354 lb-ft

SH-AWD

12.4

Which 2026 Acura Engine Is the Right Match for You?

If you drive mostly in and around Montreal and want efficiency first, the Integra 1.5-litre or the ADX's AWD version of the same displacement give you Acura refinement with the lowest fuel consumption in the lineup. If you want a performance-focused compact with manual engagement, the Integra Type S 2.0-litre is the only engine in the range that offers it. Shoppers stepping up to an SUV usually choose between the RDX's 2.0-litre turbo (quick, efficient, and standard with SH-AWD) and the MDX's 3.5-litre V6 (smoother and built for a third row). The MDX Type S Ultra's 3.0-litre turbo V6 sits on its own as the output flagship of the lineup.

Compare Every 2026 Acura Engine at Acura Montreal Centre

The quickest way to narrow your shortlist is to feel the difference between these engines from the driver's seat. Visit our team at Acura Montreal Centre to walk through the full 2026 lineup and arrange back-to-back test drives of the models that matter to you.