2006 Mazda RX-8 Sport 6AT
All photo credits
- Photo: 2005 Mazda RX-8 Shinka Edition in Black Cherry Mica, Front Right, 05-29-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2006 Mazda RX-8 Renesis HP by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: RX-8 PZ side by Mspbarry, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Rear by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Backseat Interior by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2006 Mazda RX-8 Sport 6AT is a 212-hp 1.3-liter rotary sports coupe with a 6-speed sport automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $26,995 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.
It makes 212 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 159 lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpm, spinning to a 7,500 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).
The RX-8 measures 174.3 inches long on a 106.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,075 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Coupe |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $26,995 ($43,519 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 1.3L RENESIS 2-rotor rotary (0.654L x 2); 1,308 cc; front-midship layout; side intake/exhaust ports with 3-stage variable induction system (VIS) |
| Displacement | 1.3 L |
| Horsepower | 212 hp @ 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 159 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm |
| Redline | 7,500 rpm |
| Valvetrain | Twin-rotor rotary; side intake/exhaust ports; 3-stage variable induction system (VIS) |
| Bore and Stroke | N/A (rotary engine); Eccentricity x Radius x Width: 105 x 15 x 80 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Injection Type | Multi-port electronic fuel injection (MPFI) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-speed sport automatic with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters and Adaptive Shift Logic |
| 1st Gear | 3.538 (38 mph **) |
| 2nd Gear | 2.06 (65 mph **) |
| 3rd Gear | 1.404 (95 mph **) |
| 4th Gear | 1 (134 mph **) |
| 5th Gear | 0.713 (187 mph **) |
| 6th Gear | 0.582 (230 mph **) |
| Reverse | 3.168 |
| Final Drive | 4.3 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 18 MPG |
| Highway | 25 MPG |
| Combined | 19 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium unleaded (91+ octane required) |
| Tank Capacity | 15.9 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent double wishbone (aluminum control arms); mono-tube gas-filled shock absorbers; strut tower brace |
| Rear Suspension | Independent multi-link; mono-tube gas-filled shock absorbers |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | Yes |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | Yes |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Calipers | Single-piston caliper |
| Front Brake Disc | 11.9" vented disc (base) |
| Rear Brake Disc | 11.9" vented disc |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 16 x 7.5-in. alloy |
| Wheels Rear | 16 x 7.5-in. alloy |
| Tires Front | 225/55R16 |
| Tires Rear | 225/55R16 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 174.3 in |
| Width | 69.7 in |
| Height | 52.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.4 in |
| Front Track | 58.9 in |
| Rear Track | 59.3 in |
| Ground Clearance | 4.7 in |
| Cargo Volume | 7.6 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,075 lbs |
| Weight Distribution (F/R) | 50% / 50% |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38.2 in |
| Headroom Rear | 36.8 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.7 in |
| Legroom Rear | 32.2 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 54.8 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 54.9 in |
| Hip Room Front | 53.3 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 48.1 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2006 Mazda RX-8 Sport 6AT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Mazda RX-8. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jun 15, 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Park it
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
NHTSA campaign 18V402000
Jun 15, 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Park it
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 17V-011.
NHTSA campaign 18V404000
Jul 26, 2017 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Park it
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.
NHTSA campaign 17V474000
Jun 1, 2017 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles. Heat from the engine and the exhaust may cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack.
Consequence: If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump filter kit, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1017E.
NHTSA campaign 17V354000
Oct 31, 2016 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008. The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure to heat from the engine or exhaust pipe.
Consequence: The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump sealing ring set and add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0516J.
NHTSA campaign 16V793000
60 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2006 Mazda RX-8
Owner Complaints
60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Mazda RX-8 (1 mention a crash). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Power Train | 13 |
| Visibility | 9 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2006 MAZDA RX-8. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.