2005 Mazda RX-8: Road Test
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2005 Mazda RX-8 ▼
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- MSRP: $25,375 -$32,470
- Invoice: $23,460 -$30,005
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Our road test for the 2005 Mazda RX-8 includes a full evaluation of the 2005 Mazda RX-8 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2005 Mazda RX-8, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2005 Mazda RX-8 help you decide if a 2005 Mazda RX-8 is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7 | 6.3 |
Adequate off-the-line acceleration with either transmission, but pace builds more slowly than expected, with substantial power available only over 4500 rpm or so. Manual shift has nice, short throws, but engagement was precise on some models tested, notchy on others. Smooth automatic downshifts quickly for passing, responds rapidly in manual mode to both steering-wheel paddles and shift lever.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 5.8 |
Manual-transmission test examples averaged 18.0 mpg in mostly highway driving, 15.5 with more city use and gas-eating performance tests. No opportunity to measure with automatic. Requires premium-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4 |
Automatic-transmission RX-8 with base suspension and 16-inch tires not made available for testing. Firm suspension included with manual transmission or Sport Package can generate rapid jiggling motions over bumps and some structural vibrations on rail crossings. But even in this form, ride is not punishing and is far less harsh than Nissan 350Z.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 8.1 |
Sports-car exciting. Little body lean, sharp response in turns. Electric-assist power steering nicely weighted, natural feeling. Brakes strong, with short pedal travel, good feel. Note that 18-inch tires have very poor traction in snow, even with traction-control option.
QUIETNESS
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.2 |
Less ruckus than in most sports cars. Modest wind and road noise; even 18-inch tires generate only moderate "slap" on tar strips, though they do sing on coarse pavement. Engine's smooth hum rises to a throaty whoosh as acceleration increases; cruises silently.
CONTROLS
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 6.1 |
Tachometer dominates instrument cluster, incorporates digital speedometer. Controls work with smooth precision. Smartly arrayed audio, climate systems easy to reach, decipher. Accented in rotary-theme brightwork, cabin's overall appearance more upscale than prices imply. Dashboard, door panels nicely padded. Hard plastic sheathes console, but doesn't look cheap.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5.1 |
Tall doorsills add to closed-in feel for shorter occupants, and larger folks may feel cramped, too. Seats not expansive, but comfortable and have prominent bolstering for good support in fast turns. Steering column tilts, but some testers would find better positioning if it also telescoped. Driver seat offers optional height adjustment. Low seating, small inside mirror, thick headrests, chunky roof pillars make for poor outward visibility to rear and sides.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 1.4 |
Best among true sports cars. Rear half doors ease access to small bucket seats for parcels or people, but passenger entry/exit a twisty exercise and getting feet past bottom of front seat is a chore. Head room adequate for adults, but leg room disappears with front seats more than halfway back. Toe room tight if front seat cushion set low.
CARGO ROOM
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 3.2 |
Emergency tire inflator standard in place of spare tire; compact spare is an option. Without spare, trunk has good usable space; Mazda says it holds two sets of golf clubs. Compact spare mounts at awkward angle at trunk's forward end, steals much space, is difficult to access. In either case, trunk opening is small, making loading awkward, though lid hinges don't intrude. Adequate small-item interior storage.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6.7 |
The rewardingly agile, solidly built RX-8 has less straightline performance than other similarly priced sports cars. However, it does offer the convenience of four seats and rear doors, making it more practical for everyday use than most competitors. It even qualifies as a rear-wheel-drive alternative to front-wheel-drive sporty coupes such as the Acura RSX and Mini Cooper.
Total Score
| Base w/Sport Pkg., auto. | Base w/Grand Touring Pkg., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | 52 | 49.9 |
Total Score: 52
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
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