Sixth Business Class Toyota Camry XV20 (1996-2002)

The Toyota Camry XV20 is the fourth generation of the famous Japanese sedan, launched in 1996. It is that rare Japanese car sold in EU. It turned out to be a great car, and a year later it was awarded the title of best car. Production lasted until 2001, when the legendary XV30 was released.

Development of the model manufacturer began immediately after the completion of sales XV10. The project was periodically put on hold, but was ready by the planned release date. The truck is still available at the secondary market.

Body

The side of the Toyota Camry XB20

The Japanese is known as a sedan, but some markets were filled with Gracia station wagons and in 2000 the Solara coupe was introduced. The styling is classic '90s JDM. There are no memorable unique elements here, something Toyota and the Camry have never been known for.

The design of the European and American versions is different. The main difference is 17-inch rims against 15-inch ones in Europe. Everything else is just trifles.

The design is aerodynamic, but also reliable. Corrosion seldom makes its way to the metal, especially if the owner looks after the condition. Of course after so many years it's harder to fight rust, and the 6-year warranty is long over. It is recommended to look for the last years of production, as these cars received full double-sided galvanizing, versus partial galvanizing until 200.

Rear of the fourth Toyota Camry

Sedan dimensions:

length - 4760 mm;

width - 1781 mm;

height - 1430 mm;

wheelbase - 2670 mm;

ground clearance - 145 mm.

Interior

The interior is spacious, with plenty of room for front and rear passengers. The seats are soft, though they lack light support at the sides. Seats with door cards are trimmed with either velour or leather. Sometimes there is a combined type of paneling.

Interior photo of Toyota Camry XB20

To give the Camry even more status, the centre console is made of wood. There is nothing unusual on it - a radio, a climate unit with a monitor and an ashtray with a cigarette lighter. Driver gets leather 4-spoke steering wheel, behind which is purely analog dashboard with adjustable illumination.

The interior of good options could boast of climate control, electrically adjustable front seats, sunroof, CD changer, heated seats.

All seats of Toyota Camry XV20

The boot is excellent - 518 litres, and for a big load the back sofa can be folded down in proportion of 60:40.

Toyota Camry XV20 Specifications

Type Capacity Torque Acceleration Maximum speed Number of cylinders

Petrol 2.2 litre 131 hp 196 H*m 10.4 sec. 200 km/h 4

Petrol 3.0 litre 190 hp 275 H*m 9 sec. 220 km/h V6

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The sedan's engine range consists of two petrol positions. These are the reliable atmospheric engines fitted to the second Mark, first Highlander etc.

The 5S-FE is an in-line 4-cylinder direct-injection motor that produces 131 horsepower with 196 H*m of torque. The motor hauls the 1,385-pound sedan quite nicely, consuming more than 12 litres of petrol.

1MZ-FE is the same 3-litre V6 with conventional multi-point injection. The engine produces 190 horses with 275 units of torque. This is a dynamic unit that consumes more than 16 litres of fuel.

Camry V6 engine

The front-wheel drive car was paired with the S51 5-speed manual or the A140E 4-speed automatic. V6 was sold only with automatic. Suspension was traditional - independent McPherson struts around the circumference. The suspension is soft and the steering is easy to operate. The brake system is disc-based all round with ABS.

The main feature of 4-cylinder engine is that it doesn't get bent valves in case of timing belt rupture. Over time, the engine loses the fuel injector due to bad petrol, which also kills the EGR valve. Periodically, the throttle and injectors need to be cleaned so as not to get floating revs and high fuel consumption. Thus, 5S-FE can easily go over 300 thousand km.

The V6 Camry XV20 occasionally loses its detonation sensor, has the same EGR valve and requires periodic cleaning of the throttle. After high mileage, rings and caps get stuck, so high oil consumption appears. The 1MZ-FE engine can also go over 300,000 km.

Front end of the fourth Camry XV20

Suspension is reliable and simple in design. The first problems, not counting cross-arm stabilizers, appear after 100 thousand kilometres. Sedan's ball joints will run about 150 thousand.

Price

The sedan can be found on the secondary market, but to find a good one you have to try hard. The average price of the secondary market 220-280 thousand rubles, which is not expensive for this level of comfort, comparable with the Germans, which are more expensive. Maintenance of the model is also pennies.

We can't recommend Toyota Camry XV20 for purchase, as it's an old car, here everyone has to decide for himself and take care of the future car.