2010 Mazda RX-8

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Exterior - What the Auto Press Says

Critics admire the four-door RX-8's aggressive design. While many claim that its "suicide door" design allows easy access to the rear seat, most also concede that it makes exiting the RX-8 difficult.

Refreshed in '09, the RX-8 received new bumpers, headlights, taillights, and exhaust pipes. The recently introduced R3 trim boasts an even sportier body kit.

• "On the whole, the updated RX-8 looks much the same as before. It still has a longish hood, pronounced fender flares, and a cabin that has small, rear-hinged back doors to make it easier to get in the backseat." -- Cars.com
• "The face-lift and styling updates provide a welcome refresh for this aging but excellent platform. The R3-specific elements help turn up the volume a bit but don't make the RX-8 a boy-racer that's unbearable to drive at a normal pace." -- Automobile Magazine
• "[I]t sure looks faster with the R3 package. A curvy new front fascia, rear bumper, spoiler, and larger tailpipes jazz up the exterior substantially, and even make the 2009's controversial new nose more palatable." -- Car and Driver
• "The RX-8's coupe-like body features a pair of rear-hinged doors that grant easy access to the surprisingly roomy backseat. If you've ever seen an extended-cab pickup, it's the same idea." -- Edmunds
• "At first the rear suicide doors were novel, then we discovered they add complexity that a typical 4-door doesn't have. The difficulty comes when allowing rear passengers to egress - the front door must be opened first, then the rear. If the car is parked in a typical space adjacent to another car, the RX-8's open doors trap the front and rear passengers as they attempt to exit." -- Road and Track