Mazda RX-8: RENESIS rotary, specs, R3 and buyer guide

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Mazda RX-8 is a four-seat rotary sports car sold in the U.S. for the 2004 through 2011 model years. Its 1.3L RENESIS twin-rotor makes 232 hp with the six-speed manual or 212 hp with the six-speed automatic under SAE ratings used from 2007, both with 159 lb-ft. Rear-hinged "Freestyle" doors give it four-door access.

Type
Four-seat sports coupe with rear-hinged Freestyle rear doors
Powertrains
RX-8 manual (2011), RX-8 automatic (2011) · 212–232 hp
Current generation
RX-8, 2004–2011

Mazda RX-8 engines, horsepower and mpg

Mazda says the 2007 ratings changed from 2006 because of new SAE rating standards, so 2004–2006 cars carry different published figures. EPA lists premium fuel for every RX-8.

Mazda RX-8 powertrains with Mazda-rated output and EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
VersionEngineHorsepowerTorque (lb-ft)TransmissionDriveEPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)
RX-8 manual (2011)Sport, Grand Touring, R31.3L RENESIS twin-rotor rotary (naturally aspirated)[1][2][3]2321596-speed manualRear-wheel drive16/22/182011 MY[3]
RX-8 automatic (2011)Sport, Grand Touring1.3L RENESIS twin-rotor rotary[1][2][3]2121596-speed automatic with paddle shiftersRear-wheel drive16/23/192011 MY[3]

Output is as rated by Mazda; fuel economy is the EPA estimate. "—" means no official figure was found.

The RENESIS rotary

RENESIS stands for "rotary engine genesis." Mazda says its side intake and exhaust ports have nearly 30 percent more intake area and twice the exhaust area of earlier rotaries, and eliminating port overlap cut emissions and improved economy. A three-stage intake and electronic throttle help it rev smoothly without forced induction.

The same engine powered the professional Formula Mazda race car.[6]

RX-8 R3

The R3 joined for 2009 as the enthusiast trim, adding sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, 19-inch forged wheels, Recaro front seats and Bose audio. The 2011 R3 had an MSRP of $32,290.[2][1]

Mazda RX-8 generations by year

Every US Mazda RX-8 generation with model years and engines, newest first
GenerationUS model yearsEnginesNotes
RX-82004–20111.3L RENESIS rotary; 232 hp (6MT) / 212 hp (6AT) under 2007+ SAE ratings; 159 lb-ftIntroduced in 2003 as a 2004 model, the RX-8 was the only rotary sports car on sale. RENESIS was named 2003 International Engine of the Year. The 2009 update brought retuned performance and the R3 model; the 2011 R3 listed at $32,290.[4][5][2][1][3]

Mazda RX-8 problems and recalls

The best-known Mazda RX-8 problem is rotary engine core wear: in 2008 Mazda extended engine core coverage on all 2004–2008 cars to 8 years or 100,000 miles. The RX-8 is also under Takata driver and passenger air bag recalls with a do-not-drive advisory, plus fuel pump leak recalls from engine heat and a 2004 ball joint recall.

Documented Mazda RX-8 issues and NHTSA recall campaigns
IssueGenerationYearsType
Rotary engine core wear: 8-year/100,000-mile warranty extension (SSP 77)[7]1st gen (2004–2011)2004–2008Major repair
Takata driver air bag inflator: do-not-drive advisory (recall 17V474)[8][9]1st gen (2004–2011)2004–2008Recall 17V474
Takata passenger air bag inflator can explode (recalls 18V402, 18V403, 19V488, 19V781)[10][11][12][13][9]1st gen (2004–2011)2004–2011Recall 18V402
Fuel pump sealing rings and pipe can leak from engine heat (recalls 16V793, 17V354, 21V744)[14][15][16]1st gen (2004–2011)2004–2011Recall 16V793
Front lower ball joint can separate (recall 17V355)[17]1st gen (2004–2011)2004Recall 17V355

All 5 documented RX-8 issues and 4 recalls, with symptoms and pre-purchase checks →

More RX-8 research

See how an RX-8 was built at the factory.

Trim names and packages on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Mazda build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Mazda build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years was the Mazda RX-8 sold?

The 2004 through 2011 model years in the U.S.

How much horsepower does the RX-8 have?

Under SAE ratings from 2007, 232 hp with the manual and 212 hp with the automatic, each with 159 lb-ft.

Does the RX-8 have four doors?

Yes. Mazda's "Freestyle" door system adds two rear-hinged rear doors, and the cabin has room for four adults.

What mpg does an RX-8 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 manual at 16/22/18 mpg and the automatic at 16/23/19, on premium fuel.

What is the RX-8 R3?

The enthusiast trim added for 2009, with Bilstein shocks, 19-inch forged wheels and Recaro seats. The 2011 R3 listed at $32,290.

Sources

Prices and output are as published by Mazda for the model year shown; fuel economy is from the EPA. Equipment changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

  1. 2011 Mazda RX-8 one-sheet — Mazda USA Newsroom (news.mazdausa.com)
  2. 2009 Mazda RX-8 press release — Mazda USA Newsroom (news.mazdausa.com)
  3. Mazda RX-8 fuel economy, 2004–2011 — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  4. Mazda US History timeline — Mazda USA Newsroom (news.mazdausa.com)
  5. Mazda History (2000–2004) — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
  6. 2007 Mazda RX-8 press release — Mazda USA Newsroom (news.mazdausa.com)
  7. 2004-2008 RX-8 Rotary Engine Core Limited Warranty Extension Program SSP 77 (owner letter, May 2008) — Mazda North American Operations
  8. NHTSA recall 17V474000: Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture — NHTSA
  9. Mazda Issues DO NOT DRIVE Advisory for Remaining Open Takata Frontal Air Bag Recalls (Aug. 13, 2024) — Mazda USA News
  10. NHTSA recall 18V402000: Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode — NHTSA
  11. NHTSA recall 18V403000: Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode — NHTSA
  12. NHTSA recall 19V488000: Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode — NHTSA
  13. NHTSA recall 19V781000: Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode — NHTSA
  14. NHTSA recall 16V793000: Fuel Pump Sealing Rings may Leak Fuel — NHTSA
  15. NHTSA recall 17V354000: Fuel Pump Pipe May Crack or Leak — NHTSA
  16. NHTSA recall 21V744000: Fuel May Leak From Fuel Pump Mounting Rings — NHTSA
  17. NHTSA recall 17V355000: Ball Joint may Separate from Control Arm — NHTSA

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Mazda North American Operations or Mazda Motor Corporation. Mazda and the model names are trademarks of their owners.