1997 Toyota Tercel CE 4dr 4AT
All photo credits
- Photo: 1997 Toyota Tercel CE in Coral Rose Pearl, Front Left, 06-16-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1995 Toyota Tercel 2-door sedan, front left, 07-14-2023 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Front and side of a Toyota Tercel in Taichung by WC-QHS, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1997 Toyota Tercel CE in Coral Rose Pearl, Rear Left, 06-16-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1997 Toyota Tercel CE 4dr 4AT is a 93-hp 1.5-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed automatic transmission w/od and front-wheel drive. It starts at $12,878 MSRP and is rated at 29 mpg combined.
It makes 93 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 100 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway (29 mpg combined).
The Tercel measures 161.8 inches long on a 93.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,140 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $12,878 ($26,077 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $13,298 ($26,927 *) |
| Destination Charge | $420 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 5E-FE, 1.5L DOHC 16-valve inline-4 |
| Displacement | 1.5 L |
| Horsepower | 93 hp @ 5,400 rpm |
| Torque | 100 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder |
| Bore and Stroke | 74 x 87 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.4:1 |
| Injection Type | Electronic multiport fuel injection (EFI), return-less fuel system |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic transmission w/OD |
| 1st Gear | 3.64 |
| 2nd Gear | 2.01 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.31 |
| 4th Gear | 0.89 |
| Reverse | 2.3 |
| Final Drive | 2.82 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 26 MPG |
| Highway | 34 MPG |
| Combined | 29 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tank Capacity | 11.9 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam |
| Turning Diameter | 31.5 ft |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Disc |
| Rear Brake Disc | Drum, 7.1 x 1.0 in. |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 14 in., steel |
| Wheels Rear | 14 in., steel |
| Tires Front | 175/65R14 |
| Tires Rear | 175/65R14 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 161.8 in |
| Width | 64.8 in |
| Height | 54.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 93.7 in |
| Front Track | 55.1 in |
| Rear Track | 56.3 in |
| Ground Clearance | 4.9 in |
| Cargo Volume | 9.3 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 2,140 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38.6 in |
| Headroom Rear | 36.5 in |
| Legroom Front | 41.2 in |
| Legroom Rear | 31.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 51.3 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 51.6 in |
| Hip Room Front | 54 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1997 Toyota Tercel CE 4dr 4AT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Other tested variants (1)
- 1997 Toyota Tercel 2-DR.: overall not rated
Recalls
2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Toyota TERCEL. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Aug 11, 2008 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
NHTSA campaign 08E050000
Mar 23, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
NHTSA campaign 06E026000
23 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1997 Toyota TERCEL
Owner Complaints
23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Toyota TERCEL (5 mention a crash, 6 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Hydraulic | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1997 TOYOTA TERCEL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.