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1999
Mazda Millenia

Starts at:
$26,745
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New 1999 Mazda Millenia
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn
    Starts at
    $26,745
    20 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn S
    Starts at
    $31,245
    20 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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Expert 1999 Mazda Millenia review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

Spring halted its advance and retreated from winter, which had been thought dead but returned with fierce winds and plummeting temperatures. It was a seasonal resurrection appropriate for the car of the moment, the 1999 Mazda Millenia S, which once seemed destined for retail interment.

Mazda Motor Corp. sold only 16,717 Millenias in the United States last year, 7.2 percent fewer than the 18,020 it sold in 1997. Those are death-knell numbers for most vehicle lines. But the Millenia, whose numbers have been low since its U.S. introduction in the spring of 1994, deserved a reprieve.

The car’s poor market showing stemmed not so much from deficits in quality or performance as it did from Mazda’s seeming inability to sell lemonade on a hot day. On-again, off-again marketing, and failure to establish an image for the Millenia, Mazda’s premier sedan, all helped to deep-six sales.

But the Millenia survived because of its essential goodness and stunning beauty. It returns to us this year as an even more attractive version of its former self–and at a price, about $5,500 lower than previous models’, that should move the metal.

The car is a jewel, a design standout. The lines flow from front to rear, uninterrupted by gimcrackery of any sort. The flush-mounted, crystal-lens headlamps round discreetly into the front fenders. And the reworked grille–a chrome-plated waterfall affair–is a delightful piece of brightwork that enhances the Millenia’s overall appearance.

Supple cream-colored, leather-faced seats are inside. There are unobtrusive woodgrain accents on the center console and interior door panels. The instrument cluster–analog dials in an ellipsoidal setting–is intelligently designed.

I normally don’t care much for “moonroofs” or “sunroofs”–rooftop apertures that seem to compromise climate-control systems. But I was taken with the one in the Millenia, because of the way it bathed the passenger cabin in soft, natural light.

Mazda again makes two engines available for the Millenia–a standard 2.5-liter, double-overhead-cam 24-valve V-6 for the base car and a Miller cycle 2.3-liter V-6 in the tested Millenia S.

The standard engine is designed to produce 170 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 160 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. Some critics have called it “sluggish.” But I suspect most of those folks are recalcitrant throttle jockeys who refuse to abandon the idea that it’s okay to break the speed limit.

The Miller cycle engine, made to deliver big-engine power with small-engine fuel consumption, produces 210 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 210 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. It’s more fun than the standard Millenia V-6, assuming you have a penchant for hunting vacant back roads to fully open the throttle.

Mazda tried to find the sweet middle between a sports ride and a luxury sedan ride in the Millenia, and judging from the performance of the test car, the company appears to have hit its mark.

Mazda says it is committed to making the 1999 Millenia a success in the United States. I hope this is true. This car is too darn good to suffer the sales embarrassment it has endured over the past four years.

1999 Mazda Millenia S

Complaints: The standard electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission could use some refinement. The present system lags a bit in shifts. Also, the Millenia’s 13.3-cubic-foot trunk is shaped in such a way as to limit efficient use of the space therein.

Praise: An absolutely beautiful, well-constructed car overall. Very definitely a machine for people who love to drive–and look good in the process.

Head-turning quotient: Knockout, touchdown, goal!

Layout: Front engine, front-wheel drive.

Ride, acceleration and handling: Double aces for ride and handling. Excellent acceleration. Excellent braking. Standard brakes include four-wheel power discs with antilock system.

Safety: Depowered front air bags, automatically tensioning seat belts, s ide-impa ct door beams. Traction control, designed to limit wheel spin on slippery roads, is optional.

Capacities: Seats five people, only four of them comfortably. Fuel tank holds 18 gallons of recommended premium unleaded for the Miller cycle engine.

Mileage: Unimpressive. Sorry, Miller cycle. About 22 miles per gallon in city-highway-rural driving. Estimated 384-mile range on usable volume of fuel.

Sound system: Bravo! Five-speaker AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system. Speakers by Bose.

Price: Base price on the tested Millenia S is $31,045. Dealer invoice on base model is $28,084. Price as tested is $32,295, including $800 in options and a $450 destination charge.

Note: The sticker for the 1999 premium Millenia S is the same as the price for the base 1998 Millenia, which means you’re getting more for your money this year. The price of the base Millenia has dropped $5,500, to $26,545. This has got to be one of the best deals out there for luxury cars.

1999 Mazda Millenia review: Our expert's take
By

Spring halted its advance and retreated from winter, which had been thought dead but returned with fierce winds and plummeting temperatures. It was a seasonal resurrection appropriate for the car of the moment, the 1999 Mazda Millenia S, which once seemed destined for retail interment.

Mazda Motor Corp. sold only 16,717 Millenias in the United States last year, 7.2 percent fewer than the 18,020 it sold in 1997. Those are death-knell numbers for most vehicle lines. But the Millenia, whose numbers have been low since its U.S. introduction in the spring of 1994, deserved a reprieve.

The car’s poor market showing stemmed not so much from deficits in quality or performance as it did from Mazda’s seeming inability to sell lemonade on a hot day. On-again, off-again marketing, and failure to establish an image for the Millenia, Mazda’s premier sedan, all helped to deep-six sales.

But the Millenia survived because of its essential goodness and stunning beauty. It returns to us this year as an even more attractive version of its former self–and at a price, about $5,500 lower than previous models’, that should move the metal.

The car is a jewel, a design standout. The lines flow from front to rear, uninterrupted by gimcrackery of any sort. The flush-mounted, crystal-lens headlamps round discreetly into the front fenders. And the reworked grille–a chrome-plated waterfall affair–is a delightful piece of brightwork that enhances the Millenia’s overall appearance.

Supple cream-colored, leather-faced seats are inside. There are unobtrusive woodgrain accents on the center console and interior door panels. The instrument cluster–analog dials in an ellipsoidal setting–is intelligently designed.

I normally don’t care much for “moonroofs” or “sunroofs”–rooftop apertures that seem to compromise climate-control systems. But I was taken with the one in the Millenia, because of the way it bathed the passenger cabin in soft, natural light.

Mazda again makes two engines available for the Millenia–a standard 2.5-liter, double-overhead-cam 24-valve V-6 for the base car and a Miller cycle 2.3-liter V-6 in the tested Millenia S.

The standard engine is designed to produce 170 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 160 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. Some critics have called it “sluggish.” But I suspect most of those folks are recalcitrant throttle jockeys who refuse to abandon the idea that it’s okay to break the speed limit.

The Miller cycle engine, made to deliver big-engine power with small-engine fuel consumption, produces 210 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 210 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. It’s more fun than the standard Millenia V-6, assuming you have a penchant for hunting vacant back roads to fully open the throttle.

Mazda tried to find the sweet middle between a sports ride and a luxury sedan ride in the Millenia, and judging from the performance of the test car, the company appears to have hit its mark.

Mazda says it is committed to making the 1999 Millenia a success in the United States. I hope this is true. This car is too darn good to suffer the sales embarrassment it has endured over the past four years.

1999 Mazda Millenia S

Complaints: The standard electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission could use some refinement. The present system lags a bit in shifts. Also, the Millenia’s 13.3-cubic-foot trunk is shaped in such a way as to limit efficient use of the space therein.

Praise: An absolutely beautiful, well-constructed car overall. Very definitely a machine for people who love to drive–and look good in the process.

Head-turning quotient: Knockout, touchdown, goal!

Layout: Front engine, front-wheel drive.

Ride, acceleration and handling: Double aces for ride and handling. Excellent acceleration. Excellent braking. Standard brakes include four-wheel power discs with antilock system.

Safety: Depowered front air bags, automatically tensioning seat belts, s ide-impa ct door beams. Traction control, designed to limit wheel spin on slippery roads, is optional.

Capacities: Seats five people, only four of them comfortably. Fuel tank holds 18 gallons of recommended premium unleaded for the Miller cycle engine.

Mileage: Unimpressive. Sorry, Miller cycle. About 22 miles per gallon in city-highway-rural driving. Estimated 384-mile range on usable volume of fuel.

Sound system: Bravo! Five-speaker AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system. Speakers by Bose.

Price: Base price on the tested Millenia S is $31,045. Dealer invoice on base model is $28,084. Price as tested is $32,295, including $800 in options and a $450 destination charge.

Note: The sticker for the 1999 premium Millenia S is the same as the price for the base 1998 Millenia, which means you’re getting more for your money this year. The price of the base Millenia has dropped $5,500, to $26,545. This has got to be one of the best deals out there for luxury cars.

Factory warranties

Basic
3 years / 50,000 miles

Consumer reviews

4.1 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.3
Interior 4.6
Performance 3.7
Value 3.9
Exterior 4.6
Reliability 4.1

Most recent

  • I wish it hadn't been sold.

    This was my first car, and i fell in love with it from the start. The exterior and interior of the car made it feel as if you were driving a luxury vehicle. We bought this car from a soldier that was PCS and he sold it to us for about $1500. I put well over a hundred thousand miles on that car and loved driving every single one. The car handles like a dream, but there is one downfall- repairs on this car are going to set you back a pretty penny. I had this car for 4 years and it was sold while i was in training. Now I cant find a car that will give me the same value as this one did.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Powerful engine, superb styling and fun to drive

    I have had many cars, and this one is definitely one of the most complete vehicles I have owned, it is loaded with features and it provides a smooth yet powerful ride and a lot of fun when driving. It handles very well and has a very sporty driving sensation. On the other hand, all I have spent in the car after about 30,000 (I purchased used at 80,000) is gas and oil changes. Very reliable and dependable car. The only thing I do not like much about the car is the dashboard and door interior materials, they are a bit too plastic. A more refined interior would have been a better match for what I consider a very beautiful body styling. Anyway, great car, great performance and great looks. You will certainly feel good driving this car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Very pretty and comfortable

    This car is very pretty, strong and comfortable. When I want to buy a used car last year. I searched a lot of cars. One day, I found a Millenia in the local stores. It was very impressive. But it was too expensive too. Then I swiched to internet market and very lucky to get one with affordable price. It is a wonderful experience. I like it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
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  • good and reliable

    No issues since purchasing the car. these cars are overpriced if buying new, but on the used market seem to be a good value...
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • A NIGHTMARE ON WHEELS, TOO EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN

    I have a supercharge model and too sum it up. I spent over 7,000 on repairs over a four year period. NIGHTMARE!!!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 1.0
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1999 Mazda Millenia?

The 1999 Mazda Millenia is available in 2 trim levels:

  • (1 style)
  • S (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 1999 Mazda Millenia?

The 1999 Mazda Millenia offers up to 20 MPG in city driving and 27 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 1999 Mazda Millenia reliable?

The 1999 Mazda Millenia has an average reliability rating of 4.1 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1999 Mazda Millenia owners.

Is the 1999 Mazda Millenia a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1999 Mazda Millenia. 80.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.1 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.3
  • Interior: 4.6
  • Performance: 3.7
  • Value: 3.9
  • Exterior: 4.6
  • Reliability: 4.1
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