Review Mazda RX-8 coupe 2003 - 2010

"Four-seater coupe is surprisingly spacious and hugely entertaining to drive, but running costs will hit your wallet hard." With its distinctive styling and rear-hinged half doors, Mazda's RX-8 is one of the most eye-catching sports coupes on the road. It's unique in the market because it's powered by a rotary engine, which is smoother and more powerful than a conventional piston engine of a similar size. Thanks to its excellent handling and comfortable ride, the RX-8 suits a wide variety of different driving styles, but running costs are very high due to the large amounts of fuel and oil that the rotary engine requires. Boot space is limited, although there is plenty of room for four passengers inside. Drive4.5 /5 Few cars are as entertaining as the Mazda Thanks to its rear-wheel-drive layout, the RX-8 is an entertaining car to drive. Direct steering and stiff suspension combine to make the RX-8 a delight on the road. The 228bhp rotary engine is very smooth, but it needs to be revved to make the most of its performance. Comfort4.1 /5 The Japanese coupe is a surprisingly comfortable long distance cruiser As you would expect from a sports car, the RX-8 has firm suspension, but it's not too uncomfortable on motorway journeys. There's a gentle whirr from the engine when cruising, and it doesn't really become any noisier when it's revved. Standard Recaro sports seats mean occupants up front are held tightly in place. Reliability3.9 /5 Rotary engine has a thirst for oil as well as petrol Owners need to check the oil level of the rotary engine on a regular basis. That's because this type of engine uses more oil than a conventional one to keep its moving parts lubricated. If you do let the oil run low, you can expect to pay a hefty sum to get the engine repaired. Other than that, the RX-8 is reliable, with no major issues reported by owners. Practicality4.1 /5 All occupants get decent head and legroom Considering its sporty looks, there's a surprising amount of space in the Mazda. Access is made easier thanks to the rear-hinged half doors, which can only be used once the front doors have been opened. A centre console that runs the length of the cabin makes the RX-8 a strict four-seater, but there's decent head and legroom front and rear. The only major drawback is the small boot, which is further emphasised by the narrow boot opening. Value for money4.0 /5 Few cars serve up as much performance and style for the price The RX-8 is competitively priced when compared to rivals such as the Audi A5 Coupe and BMW 3-Series Coupe, and the R3 model comes with plenty of kit as standard. A BOSE stereo, Bluetooth telephone connection and part-leather Recaro sports seats are just part of the long equipment list. However, owners will have to factor in higher running costs because of the car's rotary engine. Running costs3.5 /5 High fuel and oil consumption will hit your wallet Combined fuel consumption of 24.6mpg is poor, and you can expect real-world economy to dip below the 20mpg mark, especially if you do a lot of urban driving. Then there's the extra oil you'll have to pay for. Owners have reported using around a litre of oil for every 1,000 miles driven. Due to the unique nature of the 1.3-litre rotary engine, it's taxed as if it's a conventional 2.6-litre engine, and high emissions place it in the top band for Road Tax and company car tax.