2009 Mazda RX-8 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Now in its sixth year of production, the sporty RX-8 four-door coupe continues to give the Mazda lineup a dash of much-needed excitement, as did its predecessor, the iconic RX-7. For 2009, the RX-8 receives a design refresh as well as a performance update. A new R3 sport trim, designed for driving enthusiasts, also debuts for '09.
The updates start at the RX-8's front end, which sports a more muscular fender and front fascia, a new black grille, and integrated side turn indicators. At the restyled rear end, the RX-8 now comes with twin circular LED taillights and larger exhaust pipes. New five-spoke alloy wheels also give the RX-8 a freshened appearance.
The RX-8's underpinnings have been improved as well, with structural reinforcements that make the body more rigid. In addition, Mazda reconfigured the RX-8's rear suspension geometry, which results in a more rigid driveshaft and improves overall handling, according to the automaker.
Inside, the RX-8 receives a number of new features, including a standard auxiliary audio jack for MP3 players, as well as an optional Bluetooth hands-free phone system, 7-inch touchscreen, and voice-activated DVD navigation system.
The new R3 trim, which joins the existing Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims, features an upgraded sport suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers and foam-filled front suspension crossmembers, designed for improved ride comfort. The R3 also comes equipped with a sporty front bumper, unique side sills, a rear spoiler, and 19-inch forged aluminum alloy wheels.
Inside, standard features for the R3 include front Recaro sport seats with leather side bolsters, a leather-wrapped parking brake, an advanced keyless entry and start system, Bluetooth, and a 300-watt Bose audio system with Centerpoint surround sound and AudioPilot noise compensation technology.
A 232-hp, 1.3-liter Renesis two-rotor rotary engine drives all RX-8 trims, including the R3. The rotary engine operates without pistons or valves, and has been a stalwart powerplant of Mazdas for decades. The engine links to a six-speed manual transmission with a short-throw shifter. Drivers can also opt for a six-speed Sport automatic transmission, which includes steering-wheel-mounted paddles so drivers can shift manually. Trims with the automatic transmission are powered by a 212-hp rotary engine. The R3 comes only with the manual transmission and more powerful engine.
Standard features for all trims include air-conditioning, power windows, and power door locks. The Touring, Grand Touring, and R3 trims also come with self-leveling Xenon high-intensity headlights, foglights, a rear-view auto-dimming mirror with Homelink, and an in-dash 6-CD changer. The Grand Touring adds heated exterior mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate control, and heated front seats with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat.
As in previous years, all RX-8 trims come with the Freestyle door system, which includes two rear-hinged doors that open toward the front of the car. The front doors open normally, creating a wide opening for loading and unloading the back seat.
Safety features throughout the line include antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, side-impact protection, and an advanced airbag system. In addition, all trims except the entry-level Sport trim come with dynamic stability control with traction control.
User reviews for 2009 Mazda RX-8
Write a review2009 Mazda RX-8 Pricing
Trims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: front · Easy entry: power passenger · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: rear bulkhead · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.78 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: pearl · Rear spoiler: wing
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · Total Number of Speakers: 9
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: aluminum · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power passenger · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: storage organizer · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.78 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: pearl · Rear spoiler: wing
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · 3 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 300 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Door trim: leather · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: rear bulkhead · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.30 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: pearl · Rear spoiler: wing
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · 3 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 300 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: leather · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power passenger · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: sunglasses holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.78 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Rear spoiler: wing
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Passenger Seat
Active driver support: active bolstering
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation
