1999 Mazda Millenia Review
1999 Mazda Millenia Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Creative styling and well laid out interior.
Cons
- In a market loaded with excellent cars for about $30,000, the Millenia is simply too expensive and out-of-date.
What’s new
Revised front- and rear-end styling, plus an optional two-tone color scheme, separate the '99 Millenia from past models.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Mazda Millenia 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$217/mo for Millenia Base
Millenia Base
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
By 1990, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan all had luxury divisions that offered superbly engineered cars at prices that rivaled American and European brands. Mazda was a bit slow to react, but soon had its own luxury channel planned. To be called Amati, Mazda began developing two sedans to sell through the division when it debuted in the mid-Nineties.
The rising yen and softening sales in the luxury car segment made it clear to Mazda that Amati would be nothing more than a money pit. The project was canceled, but one of the sedans in development was nearly ready for production. Rather than consign the vehicle to a future write-up in one of those "Cars Japan Never Built" books, Mazda decided to sell it with the Mazda name. They called it Millenia and priced it, in base trim, to compete with entry-level BMWs, the Nissan Maxima and even top-of-the-line Toyota Camrys.
Times have changed. The Millenia now competes on a fiercely scarred near-luxury battleground bordered by the excellent Audi A4 on the low end and the BMW 328i on the high end. Since its introduction, prices of the Millenia have steadily risen, while competitors have slashed prices. Mazda reduced the Millenia's price for '99 but the top-of-the-line S model still costs over $31,000.
The Millenia is an interesting looking car with a freshened front and rear for '99. The S version is powered by the only Miller-cycle engine in production, a 2.3-liter unit equipped with a supercharger and good for 210 horsepower. Base models make do with a 2.5-liter V6 capable of 170 horsepower, which simply isn't enough in this class. The interior is quite distinctive, in the Mazda tradition of providing excellent controls wrapped in creatively flowing shapes.
If only the Millenia had something more distinctive to offer than a Miller-cycle engine, we could wholeheartedly recommend it. Unfortunately for Mazda, there is one new and competent player on the field, and its name is the Acura TL.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Mazda Millenia.
5 star(70%)
4 star(28%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
43 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
99' Mazda Millinia
mrm2u2004, 02/25/2011
1999 Mazda Millenia 4dr Sedan
Can't say enough about reliability, I bought it new and it still drives with the performance as the day I drove it off the lot. I have 180K miles and still going. Never let me down on the highway. over 12yrs the only things that I have had to replace was an alternator after 70K miles, radiator after 130Kmiles, timing belt after 150kmiles, all other maintenance was routine done by myself … such as brakes and oil changes. Great buy only regret is seating is low and now highway noise...but after 12 yrs who can complain!
4.88 out of 5 stars
Miller Cycle Smoothy
MilleMan, 12/01/2004
1999 Mazda Millenia S 4dr Sedan
I purchased this car used with 24k miles on it 3.5 years ago. I now have 60k on it and it has had no problems. The Miller Cycle engine (210hp) is smooth and responsive. The power off the line is outstanding. Great quality inside and out. This car is one of the best kept secrets out there.
4.88 out of 5 stars
1999 Mazda Millenia S
Supercharger, 09/02/2008
1999 Mazda Millenia S 4dr Sedan
I bought this car new and have generally enjoyed it for 9 years. Contrary to what the handbook and one of the reviewers say, the supercharged engine runs fine on 87 octane; in fact it got worse mileage on 91 octane. My car currently has 84000 miles on it, and I just drove it in late summer (90+ degrees heat) to the Outer Banks. It ran fine and provided excellent air conditioning the … whole way. I followed Mazda's suggestion to replace the timing belt at 65000 miles and also had the water pump replaced (leaking). Oxygen sensors went out and a vacuum line popped off at 45000 and 50000 miles, respectively. Catalytic converter failed at 75000 miles (too early), for which Mazda picked up expense.
3.88 out of 5 stars
great but be prepared to spend
kiko, 04/03/2009
1999 Mazda Millenia S 4dr Sedan
This was my first car and I loved it when I first bought it . The style is slick and unique. The only problem is the maintenance. It cost a lot of money to maintain and the check engine light comes on for everything. It is impossible to get the car to pass an inspection in new york!!! The car is very sensitive and cost a lot to maintain.
1999 Millenia Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $217/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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