Mazda Millenia

Mazda Millenia: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Mazda Millenia buyer’s main choice is among the naturally aspirated 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT, the compressor-equipped 2.3 AT and 2.3 MT, and the naturally aspirated 2.5 AT and 2.5 MT. The catalogue covers a Sedan produced from February 1994 through August 2003, with the original form running from February 1994 to June 2000 and the restyling from July 2000 to August 2003.

The Mazda Millenia buyer’s main choice is among the naturally aspirated 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT, the compressor-equipped 2.3 AT and 2.3 MT, and the naturally aspirated 2.5 AT and 2.5 MT. The catalogue covers a Sedan produced from February 1994 through August 2003, with the original form running from February 1994 to June 2000 and the restyling from July 2000 to August 2003. All listed versions use Gasoline, V-shaped 6-cylinder engines, FWD and either a 4-speed Automatic or 5-speed Manual gearbox. The 2.3 versions provide the strongest performance figures, while the 2.0 versions have the lowest measured fuel consumption and the 2.5 versions offer a naturally aspirated alternative with up to 200 hp.

Mazda Millenia generations and versions

The original 1 generation was sold from February 1994 to June 2000 as a Sedan with 8 listed modifications. Its engine choices comprise 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT versions with 160 hp, compressor-equipped 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT versions with 213 hp, a separate 2.3 AT with 220 hp, 2.5 AT and 2.5 MT versions with 200 hp, and another 2.5 AT with 170 hp.

The 1 generation, restyling ran from July 2000 to August 2003, retaining the Sedan body and 8 listed modifications. It includes 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT versions with 160 hp; 2.3 AT and 2.3 MT versions with 213 hp; a separate 2.3 AT with 220 hp; 2.5 AT and 2.5 MT versions with 200 hp; and another 2.5 AT with 170 hp. The available power range therefore remains 160–220 hp across both periods. Differences within apparently identical version names make the power figure essential when identifying a car.

Mazda Millenia engine specs

Every listed engine has 4 valves per cylinder and distributed injection (multi-point). Most have a front, transverse location. The restyled 2.5 AT with 170 hp is the exception in the supplied data, using a front, longitudinal location.

Capacity alone does not determine output. The 1995 cc engines produce about 80.2 hp per litre, while the 2496 cc engines with 200 hp deliver about 80.1 hp per litre. Compressor-equipped 2255 cc engines reach about 94.5 hp per litre with 213 hp or 97.6 hp per litre with 220 hp. The 2497 cc, 170 hp versions produce about 68.1 hp per litre. For maximum output from the available displacement, the 2.3 AT with 220 hp is the clear leader.

The extra performance of the 2.3 AT with 220 hp over the 2.3 AT with 213 hp amounts to 7 hp and 9 Nm. Compared with a 2.0 version, the 220 hp 2.3 AT adds 60 hp and as much as 115 Nm. A 200 hp 2.5 provides 40 hp more than a 160 hp 2.0, but its torque advantage ranges from 43 to 49 Nm depending on the compared period and gearbox.

Mazda Millenia performance and mpg

Among versions with measured acceleration, the 2.3 AT with 213 hp is quickest: its 8.5-second result is 0.6 seconds ahead of the restyled 2.5 AT with 200 hp and 0.7 seconds ahead of the original 2.5 AT with 200 hp. It is also 3.0 seconds ahead of the restyled 2.0 AT. The highest measured top speed belongs to the restyled 2.5 AT with 200 hp at 229 km/h, which is 7 km/h above the measured 2.3 AT and 27 km/h above the restyled 2.0 AT.

The restyled 2.0 AT records the lowest measured consumption: 10.5 l/100 km in the city, 6.6 l/100 km on the highway and 8.2 l/100 km combined. Against the 213 hp 2.3 AT, it saves 1.0 l/100 km in the city, 0.6 l/100 km on the highway and 1.3 l/100 km combined. Against the restyled 200 hp 2.5 AT, the differences are 1.8, 0.9 and 1.6 l/100 km respectively. These comparisons apply only to the versions with supplied measurements; the other figures are not measured.

Mazda Millenia dimensions, weight and fuel tank

Dimensions are not supplied in the data, so length, width, height and wheelbase are not measured. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every version. All listed versions have a 68-litre fuel tank. Ground clearance is 140 mm wherever measured; it is not measured for the restyled 2.3 AT with 220 hp.

Original-period measured kerb weights are 1430 kg for 2.0 AT, 1560 kg for 2.3 AT with 213 hp, 1490 kg for 2.3 AT with 220 hp, 1470 kg for 2.5 AT with 200 hp and 1459 kg for 2.5 AT with 170 hp. Kerb weight is not measured for the original 2.0 MT, 2.3 MT or 2.5 MT. Gross weight is 1955 kg for the original 2.0 MT and 1985 kg for the original 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT with 213 hp; gross weight is not measured for the remaining original versions.

Restyled kerb weights are 1570 kg for both 2.0 versions, 1560 kg for the 213 hp 2.3 versions, 1538 kg for the 220 hp 2.3 AT, 1500 kg for both 200 hp 2.5 versions and 1523 kg for the 170 hp 2.5 AT. Corresponding measured gross weights are 1955 kg for the 2.0 versions, 1985 kg for all listed 2.3 versions, and 1775 kg for the 200 hp 2.5 versions. Gross weight for the restyled 170 hp 2.5 AT is not measured.

The original 220 hp 2.3 AT combines 1490 kg with 220 hp, or about 6.8 kg per hp. The restyled equivalent has 1538 kg and the same output, or about 7.0 kg per hp. The 213 hp 2.3 AT is about 7.3 kg per hp in either period, while the restyled 200 hp 2.5 versions are 7.5 kg per hp. The restyled 2.0 versions carry about 9.8 kg per hp. On the supplied figures, the 220 hp 2.3 AT has the strongest power-to-weight relationship.

Mazda Millenia reliability, problems and what to inspect

Reliability, service history, repair frequency and known problems are not measured in the supplied data, so the catalogue cannot substantiate claims that one Mazda Millenia version is more reliable than another. The specification does show where the mechanical choices differ: the 2.3 uses a Compressor, while the 2.0 and 2.5 versions list No boost. Gearbox choice is between a 4-speed Automatic and a 5-speed Manual. Those differences identify what a buyer is comparing, but they do not by themselves prove a reliability advantage.

For a prospective purchase, verify the exact version by output as well as its badge or displacement. In particular, 2.3 AT can mean 213 hp and 285 Nm or 220 hp and 294 Nm; 2.5 AT can mean 200 hp or 170 hp. The supplied data contains no prices or sale listings, so it cannot determine whether a particular car represents good value.

Which Mazda Millenia version should you buy?

Choose the restyled 2.0 AT if measured fuel economy is the priority. Its 160 hp and 180 Nm are the lowest outputs in the restyled range, and its 11.5-second 0–100 km/h result is the slowest measured figure, but its 8.2 l/100 km combined consumption is 1.3 l/100 km below the measured 213 hp 2.3 AT and 1.6 l/100 km below the measured 200 hp 2.5 AT.

Choose the 2.3 AT with 213 hp if measured acceleration matters most. In both periods it reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and has a measured top speed of 222 km/h. Its 285 Nm at 3500 rpm also arrives 1300 rpm earlier than the 228 Nm peak of the restyled 200 hp 2.5 AT.

Choose the 2.3 AT with 220 hp if the specification sheet’s maximum output and best calculated power-to-weight relationship are the priorities. It provides 294 Nm and about 97.6 hp per litre, but its acceleration, top speed and fuel consumption are not measured. The stronger output therefore cannot be converted into a verified performance advantage over the measured 213 hp 2.3 AT.

Choose the restyled 2.5 AT with 200 hp if you want No boost together with the highest measured top speed. It reaches 229 km/h and 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. Compared with the 213 hp 2.3 AT, it gives up 13 hp, 57 Nm and 0.6 seconds in acceleration, while gaining 7 km/h in measured top speed.

The Manual versions are the appropriate catalogue choice only when the buyer specifically wants a 5-speed Manual, because their acceleration, top-speed and consumption figures are not measured. On the evidence available, the restyled 2.0 AT is the economy selection, the 213 hp 2.3 AT is the measured-performance selection, the 220 hp 2.3 AT is the maximum-output selection, and the restyled 200 hp 2.5 AT is the naturally aspirated choice with the highest measured top speed.