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.[10]
The wagon version was also sold in Japan as Toyota Mark II Qualis. 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 V6 engine, not available on the Japanese market Camry. The Camry was sold only at Toyota Japanese dealerships called Toyota Corolla Store, while its twin the Mark II Qualis was exclusive to Toyopet Store locations.
An equivalent model was launched as the Daihatsu Altis. It was only sold in Japan and its production started from this generation. The Altis was introduced in March 2000 as a flagship sedan for Daihatsu as a replacement for the Daihatsu Applause. Not very many Altis models were sold in Japan. This is because a typical Daihatsu is priced in the entry level pricing range and the Altis was priced very similar to the comparable model Camry. The Altis was available with the 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. Unlike the Camry which is available as a sedan or wagon in Japan, the Altis sold only as a sedan. The name "Altis" is a variation of the word "altitude", implying a "high elevation" status as the top-level car for Daihatsu.
Australasia
In Australia, unlike the previous generation, the Camry name was also applied to the V6 variants, while the Toyota Vienta V6 range was revised as the "upmarket" models. The line-up of four-cylinder Camry models consisted of the CSi, Conquest and CSX models (automatic transmission was standard on Conquest and CSX); all three variants were available in sedan or wagon body styles. The Camry V6 models consisted of CSi and Conquest, again as sedans and wagons, with the wagons only available with automatic transmission. The Camry V6 Touring sedan model was launched in March 1999.
The Vienta V6 line up consisted of VXi and Grande sedans and the VXi wagon. The Vienta VXi was similarly equipped to the four-cylinder Camry CSX.
In September 2000, the revised Camry was launched. The Vienta V6 range was discontinued due to the launch of the Avalon sedan in July 2000 and two new models were added to the Camry range: the top-of-the-range Azura V6 sedan and the Touring V6 wagon, both of which were available with an automatic transmission only. Towards the end of the model run, the limited edition Intrigue and Advantage sedans were launched.
Wheel sizes vary on this shape of Camry, with some using 14-inch wheels, while others use 15-inch.
New Zealand made a special edition of 10, TRD supercharged, 3.0 V6, 5 speed manual sedans called the Camry TS Supercharged. It produced 206 kW over the standard V6. This vehicle was a special edition put together by Toyota NZ. The suspension was tuned by former F1 driver Chris Amon and featured TS emblems on the cluster and on the leather seats. Amon also has input on many other Toyotas for the New Zealand market including the Corona and Corolla.
Middle East
For the Middle East market, the Camry was sourced from Australia. It was offered in three different trims as a sedan: the low-end XLI and mid-range GLI that both carried the four-cylinder engine—and the luxury Grande with V6 engine. The station wagon was also offered with the GLI trim.
North America
In the United States, the Camry SE was dropped and the base model was renamed the CE for the 1997 model year. Both the LE and the XLE trims were carried over from the previous generation. All trim levels were available with either the 2.2-liter inline-four or the 3.0-liter V6 engine. Manual transmission was initially only available on the V6 CE model. Toyota Racing Development (TRD) offered a supercharger kit for the V6 models, raising power to 247 hp and 242 lbft of torque.
The Camry had a mild refresh in August 1999 for the 2000 model year, noticeably with restyled headlights, grille, wider side moldings, and bigger tail-lights. The CE with V6 engine was discontinued. The manual transmission was only offered for the CE and V6 LE.[11]
Some of this generation Camry sold in the US were produced at TMMK as well as at the Tsutsumi plant in Japan. A Camry manufactured in Japan is denoted with a VIN starting with "JT2"; US-made models are denoted with a VIN starting with "4T1".
A coupe was added in 1998 for the 1999 model year and then a convertible in 1999 for the 2000 model year. In contrast to the coupe from the third-generation Camrys, the new two-door cars were given a separate nameplate, Toyota Camry Solara, or simply Solara. They were also a significant styling departure from the sedan. The Solara was available in SE and SLE trims, corresponding roughly to the sedan's LE and XLE trims.
In 1999, Toyota offered a four-cylinder, non-hybrid CNG-powered XV20 Camry in California to fleet
Europe
The XV20 was also sold in Europe. But like its predecessor, the Camry XV10, the range was a lot more limited. As before, models for the European market continued to be imported from Japan.
Launched in 1997, the range consisted of the 2.2i GL and 3.0i GX models in sedan form only.[14] Like the Camry XV10, the GX was only available with an automatic transmission.[15][16] The 2.2i GL was available with both manual and automatic transmissions.[17][18]
The Camry received a four out of five star safety rating in Euro NCAP's test, due to its side airbags.
