They seat 4 people simi comfortably, handles AWESOME, very well engineered car. If you look back Mazda has never made FAST cars so to speak. 14.5 with only 170rwhp isn't very shabby if you ask me. The rx8 was NOT designed to replace the rx7. For what mazda intended the rx8 to be its a nice car. If I had kids and needed a functional back seat and didn't need a lot of power I would so rock a rx8.