It’s almost impossible to compare the RX-8 with the last RX-7. The third-generation RX-7 was Mazda’s vision of the quintessential sports car with no frills. The twin-turbocharged rotary is hardly reliable in stock form, the ride beats you up until your kidneys bleed, the trunk struggles to carry a weekend’s worth of luggage and the only time you have a cupholder is when some poor sap is in the passenger seat. Perfect if you want a capable weekend warrior, as I did. I’m the proud owner of a ’94 RX-7 that works well most of the time, but single 20-something males are most likely in the minority. Its heralded performance abilities did not translate into brisk sales, and ultimately the car disappeared from our shores after the 1995 model year.
The RX-8 reflects the lessons learned from the RX-7. Instead of a cramped two-seater, you have room for four with four doors and a trunk that can carry a set of golf clubs, bringing practicality. Two average-size adults can fit in the rear seats, and luxury items such as cupholders even appear. The interior is stylish, with a user-friendly layout, high-grade materials and nice build quality. I would kill for a cabin like this in my RX-7, but the idea was much different at Mazda more than a decade ago.
