2000 Mazda Millenia Millennium Edition builds on excellent S model. By Ted West, New Car Test Drive .com

It was inevitable that Mazda would launch a Millennium Edition of its Millenia luxury car. After all, Mazda deserved that even more than Buick deserved a special edition of the Century. Presumably Mazda can carry this theme through 2001 to celebrate when the new millennium actually begins.

While that adds some distinction within the Mazda Millenia line, anyone who buys a Millenia will enjoy exclusivity because many shoppers miss this luxury car. It shouldn't be, because this is a great luxury sedan that and offers good value: Mazda dropped prices of the Millenia over last year. The entry price has been reduced by $1,750 over last year to $24,995.

Mazda Millenia S, with its supercharged 210-horsepower Miller-cycle V6 engine, remains one of the most interesting cars in the near-luxury class. A crisp-handling sedan that encourages you to go home the long way, it's coupled with the kind of gracious creature comforts that'll make you want to invite the boss along.

Three models are available for 2000: Millenia ($25,245); Millenia S ($30,245); Millennium Edition ($30,995).

The S and Millennium Edition models come with Mazda's Miller-cycle engine, a 2.3-liter V6 that uses an innovative scroll-type supercharger to produce 210 horsepower without compromising fuel economy or smoothness. The base Millenia comes with a 2.5-liter dohc V6 rated at 170 horsepower.

Millenia comes standard with a four-speed automatic transmission, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, automatic climate control system, 16-inch alloy wheels, AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo, remote keyless entry with two fobs, fog lamps, eight-way power driver's seat and dual de-powered air bags.

Millenia S adds leather seating surfaces, electronic traction control, 17-inch alloy wheels, power moonroof, eight-way power passenger's seat and a Bose audio system.

The limited-edition Millennium Edition is available in two exclusive colors, Highlight Silver and Millennium Red. To the S model, it adds 17-inch chrome alloy wheels, charcoal-colored suede seat and door trim, revised wood grain trim panels, a six-disc in-dash CD changer, leather-wrapped transmissions shift and handbrake levers, special Millennium Edition badging on the C pillars and logos on the door panels and scuff plates. It comes with the excellent Miller-cycle engine and trim from the Millenia S model.