Model tested: Mazda RX-8 231
Price: £22,900
Tested: August 2006
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Overall rating: 82%
The RX-8 is truly revolutionary – it combines sports car looks, with four-seat practicality, and a pair of cool rear-opening doors. It's powerful and it's the world's only rotary-engined production car – but does it stir the soul like a sports car should?

1. Looks
There isn't an angle that fails to impress, from the pointed nose to its concept car-like rear lights. There are lots of references to the triangular rotors under the bonnet but the real party piece is the rear doors.
10/10

2. Looks inside
The dash is dominated by a huge centre console but there are cubbyholes and cupholders aplenty. The only disappointments are the steering wheel and an odd handbrake handle.
9/10

3. Practicality
Sports cars aren't supposed to be practical, but the RX-8 pulls it off without sacrificing looks. There's loads of room up front, but it's cramped in the back. There's 290 litres of space with the rear seats up or 700 litres with them folded.
8/10

4. Ride and Handling
The RX-8's handling is about as good as you'll get in a comfortable sportscar. The steering offers plenty of feedback and there's lots of grip too. The ride is firm, but not uncomfortably so.
9/10

5. Performance
The RX-8 develops 231bhp from an engine that revs to 9,000rpm. The 0-60mph dash takes 6.4 seconds and the top speed is 146mph.
9/10

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6. Running Costs
Mazda quotes an average of 25mpg, but we struggled to hit the low 20s; it also falls into the highest company car tax bracket. Servicing is every 12,500 miles.
6/10

7. Reliability
Mazda performs well in the Reliability Index, but unless you've got a rotary engine specialist nearby, you'll have to fork out main dealer rates for servicing and repairs.
7/10

8. Safety
All models come with electronic brake force distribution, ESP and traction control. There's also driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags.
8/10

9. Equipment
Our test car featured climate control and plenty of electric toys as standard. We also had a DVD-based sat-nav system, available only with leather trim at £2,638 for the package.
7/10

10. X-Factor
Mazda has created a sexy coupe with saloon car practicality with flair and huge reserves of power. Emerging through the rear doors is an experience akin to stepping onto the red carpet at a film premiere - all eyes will be on you.
9/10