At one time, Japanese automaker Mazda planned to launch a luxury division a la Toyota's Lexus line, Honda's Acura division, and Infiniti at Nissan. By the time Mazda made much progress toward that end, however, the market was overcrowded, and the idea was scrapped.

The legacy of Mazda's luxury aspirations is the Millenia. It is a competent, front-drive sedan with acres of interior space, some thoughtful winter-oriented features, and one of the more interesting passenger-car engines available today.

The legacy of Mazda's luxury aspirations is the Millenia. It is a competent, front-drive sedan with acres of interior space, some thoughtful winter-oriented features, and one of the more interesting passenger-car engines available today.

With only 2.3 liters of displacement, the V6 engine in the Millenia S is smaller than many four-cylinders. Its impressive 210 horsepower derives from the "Miller cycle," a Mazda innovation that affects engine-valve timing. Yet even with an automatic transmission, the Millenia S gets 28 miles per gallon on the highway, with a range of more than 500 miles per tank.

It's a great engine, torquey even at low speed, ready to leap at the slightest provocation. Part of the secret is an intercooled supercharger, which works on a principle similar to a turbocharger's, boosting power but without the "lag" that plagues turbos. The four-speed automatic transmission features a "hold" feature, which prevents shifting when it's unwanted, such as long uphill climbs or creeping off ice. The all-speed traction control system, standard on the Millenia S, includes an "off" switch for blasting out of deep snow.

A $300 "four-season package" includes heated seats, heavy-duty starter and wiper motor, and a large-capacity washer tank. The interior is among the roomiest of any car in its class, capable of carrying five adults in comfort. Unavailable, however, is a trunk pass-through for long objects. Skiers will need a roof rack.

The base Millenia ($27,995) is priced to compete with other performance-oriented sedans such as the Nissan Maxima. The top-end Millena S, meanwhile, must battle luxury liners such as the Acura Legend and Lexus ES 300 (to be redesigned in '97). But at $36 grand, it's a tough sell, with little to recommend it other than the efficient, powerful Miller-cycle V6 in the Millenia S. It's a consideration for someone who values power paired with fuel economy, and is willing to pay a dear premium for the combination.

1996 Mazda Millenia S

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