MAZDA RX8 Review

Summary:

What we like: Handling

What we don't like: Thirsty, Quirky ergonomics

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MAZDA RX8 review in detail:

With the Mazda RX-8, the lines of distinction between a sports car and a sport coupe are blurred. Sports cars are usually low-slung, sleekly styled and designed to seat only two adults. There may be a seat in the back but it's usually so small as to be useful only for small children or a couple of travel bags. Sport coupes are typically bigger and seat four (or five) full-size people. The RX-8 combines the attributes of both. It's a true sports car that seats four adults. Apart from that distinction, the RX-8 also features a pair of pillar-less rear-opening doors that allow access to its surprisingly roomy backseat. If that's not distinctive enough for you, consider that the RX-8 is the only production car in the world with a rotary engine.

Pitted against its chief rival, the Nissan 350Z, the RX-8 makes for a better all-around sports car. Although not as fast in a straight line as the Z car, the RX-8 feels more agile in the twisties due to its lighter weight and perfect steering feel.

The rear-opening back doors are awkward when parked alongside another car because you can only use a front door or a back, not both at the same time.

Handling is impressive, with plenty of steering and chassis feel and far more road grip than most drivers will ever need. Some may find the steering slightly too quick at first, but you soon adapt to it. Only rough roads will cause it to be bounced around, so comfort is good for a full-on sports machine. Handling on rough roads can be quite bad at times so make sure you road test the car on those types of road if you're going to be travelling on them on a regular basis.

In crash testing, the RX-8 earned a four-star rating (out of a possible five) for driver protection in frontal impacts and five stars for the front passenger. The Mazda received four stars across the board for side-impact protection.