The RX-8's greatest appeal remains its uniqueness. Not only is it the only vehicle on sale in Britain to be powered by a rotary engine, but it also combines stylish coupe design with the practicality of rear "suicide" doors. Behind the handsome looks it's impressively useful too. The cabin features both very funky design and a decent amount of space for four occupants, with the rear-hinged back doors making for easy access to the rear seat. It's even got a decently proportioned boot for something so sporty, although all-out practicality is limited by the fact the rear seat can't be folded down. Dynamically the RX-8 is brilliant. The chassis is a fair bit softer and more compliant than rivals like the Nissan 350Z, but the overall effect is a car capable of combining decent comfort over broken British road surfaces with a wonderfully fluid driving experience. With perfectly weighted steering and exquisite chassis balance, the Mazda is a joy to hoon around twisty roads, and it's impressively composed on motorways, too. Don't go for the "PZ" handling kit, though - it costs a bomb and robs the suspension of its delightful compliancy. The free-spinning rotary engine takes some getting used to. It's almost completely lacking in low-down torque, so rapid progress means making lots of use of the rifle-bolt accurate gearshift. But the motor loves to rev, with its turbine smoothness disguising the approach of the red line to the extent a buzzer sounds when it gets near. The entry-level 189 bhp version has noticeably less performance than the "high power" 228 bhp car, but it benefits from slightly better mid-range responses. The big downside remains fuel economy. On official figures the RX-8 manages about 25 mpg, but few owners get anywhere near that - with enthusiastic use pushing economy below 15 mpg.