Reviewing the Review: 2010 Mazda RX-8
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Our hub-site, The Car Connection, has just revamped its entire site, offering a more in-depth Bottom Line reviews. Bengt Halvorson has done one for the 2010 Mazda RX-8.
The RX-8 is often overlooked when people are shopping for a sporty car. It may have room for four adults, and that balanced rotary-engine, rear-wheel drive formula. Ultimately, it’s let down by one factor: poor fuel economy.
Bengt likes the Renesis engine, excellent shift linkage, handling, build quality, and unique design. He dislikes the car’s lack of standard stability control, less than smooth ride, lack of torque at low speeds, and, of course, fuel economy.
Bengt is enamored by the cars design. He says in the bottom line, “The RX-8 has changed very little in the six years since its introduction, yet it still turns heads. From a distance, it looks like a low-slung coupe with a long hoodline, lipped wheel wells, and low-profile tires. Get up close and you’ll no doubt notice the two small rear-hinged back doors, which provide access to the small backseat. The RX-8’s rakish side profile is unusual for any vehicle with a backseat; the roofline arcs over the back and smoothly meets the rear decklid.”
There seems to be plenty of room in the interior of the 2010 Mazda RX-8, but Bengt warns that tall or large drivers might be a little too big for the sporty interior. The back seat is claimed to be kids-only, as adults will have a hard time getting back there with the small rear doors and real lack of headroom.
He praises the cars zippy 1.3l rotary engine for its lively performance. Between the standard six-speed or paddle shifted six-speed automatic, he directs buyers to the manual as it allows better access to the cars full potential. No matter which transmission though, 16 miles-to-the-gallon in the city is what owners should expect to get.
The best feature is the handling. Bengt writes: “Steering and handling of the RX-8 are top-notch, with a responsive and direct feel you’ll find in just a handful of cars.”
Safety for the Mazda seems to be top notch. One of the best safety features is the perfect, five star NHSTA roll over rating.
The Bottom Line is this: “The 2010 Mazda RX-8 is one of the few true track-ready sports cars you can get that actually has a backseat; the RX-8 is practical, but not too much so.”
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