(Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Despite a few minor irritants reducing its gloss, Mazda has done a commendable job of delivering a "true" sports car with functional rear seating. The RX-8 is an extremely agile, visually stimulating piece that derives its exhilarating performance from a unique, remarkably simple powerplant. The Renesis rotary engine tucked beneath the RX-8's scalloped hood gives the car the internal fortitude to be confidently different in a homogenous mechanized world.

Impressive:
9,000 rpm redline
Eager rotary engine
Tight, balanced, predictable handling
Useable/accessible rear seat

Unimpressive:
Gasoholic
Small trunk opening
Dynamic Stability Control not available on GS
Rear seats don't fold down

(Photo: Rob Rothwell)

(Photo: Rob Rothwell)