TOYOTA Camry 1997-2001 Photos, engines & full specs

In 1997, the Toyota Camry reached in 5th generation. The model was launched at different dates all around the world, the first being shown in Japan.

The Camry was already known for its reliability and offered a comfortable and quiet interior. The car did not offer an exciting ride and it was not its purpose to, however, it was precise and predictable.

The refreshed Camry came with an all-new exterior and interior, along with improved safety features. The car was slightly bigger and more powerful than its predecessor.

The coupe and the wagon versions were discontinued, the Camry being available in a saloon body only and three available trim levels. The base level was no longer named DX and it became CE. The other 2 trim levels were LE and the top of the range, the XLE.

The Camry’s aerodynamics were improved, reaching a 0.30 drag coefficient, due to the swept-back windshield and the squared-off tail.

The loading capacity increased due to the wheelbase changes and the rear seats could be folded forward if the initial space was not enough for the load.

The interior got refreshed and it looked cleaner than before, having a simple dashboard. A low washer fluid and an odometer were added and the audio and temperature controls were inverted as it was more natural to have the audio controls on top.

Safety-wise, the car’s body structure was tightened, ABS became a standard feature and a traction control system was optional for the LE and the XLE trim levels.