Toyota · 1996–2002

Toyota Camry (XV20)

The Toyota Camry (XV20) is a mid-size car that was sold by Toyota between September 1996 and 2001 in Japan and North America, and 1997 and 2002 in Australia. Introduced on 3 September 1996, the XV20 series represented the fourth generation of the Toyota Camry in all markets outside Japan, which followed a different generational lineage. The XV20 Camry range is split into different model codes indicative of the engine. Inline-four models utilize the SXV20 (gasoline) and SXV23 (CNG) codes, with MCV20 designating the six-cylinder (V6) versions. The XV20 Camry continued as a sedan and station wagon, though the latter model was not sold in North America, where the sedan was launched in 1996 for the 1997 model year. The XV20 Camry was offered in 2.2-liter inline-four and 3.0-liter V6 engined versions. In Australia, the luxury-oriented version was badged Toyota Vienta. In Japan, this generation was sold as the Toyota Camry Gracia. An upmarket version of the wagon also sold as the Toyota Mark II Qualis. Furthermore, this was the first Camry to be badge-engineered as a Daihatsu; the Daihatsu Altis sold in Japan was identical to the export version of the Camry. The Japanese Scepter ceased to exist as the Japanese Camrys adopted the 1,795 mm (70.7 in) wide platform, thereby incurring an increased tax liability in Japan due to its extended length and width according to Japanese exterior dimension limits. The Vista began departing from the Camry, remaining 1,700 mm (66.9 in) wide and eventually forming the basis of the growing Corolla. In addition, the Vista's sheet metal resembled a tall, formal sedan, while the Camry became sleeker. The Lexus ES 300 was again built from the Windom, which uses the Camry chassis. In August 1999 for the 2000 model year, the sedan models in North America received a mid-model upgrade to the front and rear fascias, this included larger headlights that now feature a four-bulb system instead of two, a separated grille with chrome surround, larger taillights, and larger body-side moldings. Toyota Australia started production of the facelift model in 2000.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Toyota Camry (XV10) · Successor: Toyota Camry (XV30)|Toyota Avalon

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Development

As Japanese yen soared in the mid-1990s, the redesigned Camry had less content than the previous model under pressure to reduce costs. Following the debut of the XV10 in 1991, development immediately began under Kosaku Yamada under program code 415T. Styling ended with a winning design competition proposal "C" by Kawazu Masahiko being chosen in August 1993, 36 months ahead of scheduled production. The final XV20 design was frozen by early February 1994, at over 30 months ahead of scheduled production start in August 1996. Design patents were filed on 9 February 1994 at the Japan Patent Office and registered under #1057806. Prototypes were tested throughout 1995 and 1996.

Engines

== Markets == XV20 Camrys were manufactured in at the Tsutsumi plant in Toyota, Aichi, Japan; Toyota Australia's Toyota Australia Altona Plant; and at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky production site in Georgetown, Kentucky, United States. Production in Thailand and Indonesia began in 1999, replacing Australia as the source of Camrys in Southeast Asia. Japan. The Japanese market XV20 arrived in December 1996 as the Camry Gracia in both sedan and wagon body styles with a choice of a 2.2-liter four-cylinder or a 2.5-liter V6 engine with the only transmission choice being a 4-speed automatic. The Japanese Camry was basically only offered in single model grade, but buyers could choose the base "V Selection", the regular version, and the more-equipped "G Selection" for the 4-cylinder model. Only the regular and "G Selection" were for the V6 models. The "G Selection" came standard with 15-inch alloy wheels, heated door mirrors, leather steering wheel, 6-way power front seats, and upgraded sound system. Cruise control and Skyhook TEMS were only for the V6-powered "G Selection". Sporty Package which consisted of front lower spoiler, rear window visor, sunroof visor, and sports grille was dealer's option. The Japanese-market Camry received minor facelift in August 1999. The "Gracia" name for sedan was dropped, although the station wagon version is still used. Mark II Qualis. The Mark II Qualis was introduced in 1997 as a direct replacement for the Mark II Wagon. It had no relation to the Mark II sedan (a rear-wheel drive executive car) besides the front and rear lights, which resembled those of the Mark II. The Mark II Qualis was also available in a 3.0G version, with the 3.0-liter 1MZ-FE V6 engine, not available on the Japanese market Camry. The Camry was sold only at T

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Toyota Camry (XV20)

Manufacturer

Toyota

aka

Toyota Camry Gracia (Japan), Toyota Mark II Qualis (wagon), Toyota Vienta, Daihatsu Altis (Japan), Xinkai Toyota Camry (China, JV)

Production

August 1996 – July 2001 (Japan, U.S.), September 1996 – June 2002 (Philippines), July 1997 – August 2002 (Australia), March 1997 – May 2002 (Thailand), June 1999 – September 2002 (Indonesia)

Assembly

Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Tsutsumi plant), Australia: Altona, China: Zhanjiang, Guangdong, Indonesia: Karawang (1999–2002), Philippines: Parañaque (1996–1997); Santa Rosa (1997–2002), Thailand: Chachoengsao, United States: Georgetown, Kentucky, Vietnam: Vĩnh Phúc

Designer

Kawazu Masahiko (1993)

Class

Mid-size car

Body style

4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel drive, Front-engine, four-wheel drive

Related

Lexus ES/Toyota Windom (XV20), Toyota Avalon (XX10), Toyota Camry Solara (XV20), Toyota Sienna (XL10)

Engine

2.2 L 5S-FE I4 (gasoline), 3.0 L 1MZ-FE VVT-i V6 (gasoline), 2.5 L 2MZ-FE V6 (gasoline)

Transmission

5-speed E153 manual, 5-speed S51 manual, 4-speed A140E automatic, 4-speed A541E automatic

Wheelbase

105.1 in

Width

70.3 in

Length

187.6 in

Kerb weight

3000 lb

Height

56.3 in

Predecessor

Toyota Camry (XV10), Daihatsu Applause (for Altis)

Successor

Toyota Camry (XV30), Toyota Avalon (XX10) (Australia, for Vienta)

Model years

1997–2001

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7830759CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Camry_(XV20)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1376802354 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1997-1999_Toyota_Camry.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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