Category: Affordable Sports 
Price Range: No data available
Technically interesting; practical four-door body style; fun to drive; good value for money.
High emissions, high tax; heavy fuel consumption.
An utterly unique proposition - and likely to remain that way.
Improved insulation and rigidity on the R3 RX-8 means better sound-proofing and reduced vibrations, and general refinement is good overall. Despite its low ground clearance, 19" wheels and low-profile tyres, it copes well with road imperfections and even speed bumps. It's firm-riding but compliant.
Two adults can sit in the back - perhaps not comfortably for transcontinental expeditions, but there's enough room for shorter journeys - and the pair of part-leather Recaro sports seats up front are supportive and well-bolstered.
The driving position is good, though the instrument dials aren't that easy to read: there's a large rev counter, but a digital read-out only for speed, which is difficult to see when sun reflects off the dashboard. Some of the switchgear's looking a little dated now, but the overall quality and design is pleasant.
The R3 comes with many items previously on the options list now standard-fit, including the sports styling pack, and some new kit. cruise control, automatic Xenon headlights with washer jets, rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth phone system and special carpet mats, as well as a surround-sound Bose audio system with six-CD autochanger and input jack socket are available. No sat nav, however (buy a TomTom). Metallic, mica and pearlescent paint finishes come with the deal.
