A Guide to 1997 Cars
From shifty coupes to thumping SUVs, these are the best cars of 1997.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Acura Integra was the top-rated car of 1997, even as the Audi A4 and the BMW M3 gave it a run for its money.
As the 20th century came to a close, automakers were busy updating their vehicles in anticipation of a sea change in what—and how—people drive. Such a shift was still a few years away, but 1997 proved to be a banner year for the automobile.
To help you find the best used 1997 vehicle out there, we've put together this handy list of ‘97’s best vehicles.
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The best cars of 1997
From sleek convertibles to luxurious SUVs, a slew of novel vehicles was released in 1997, so here are the best of them!
The best car of 1997: Acura Integra
KBB fair market range: $1,500 to $4,500
Powertrain: 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder engine w/ five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
The
Acura Integra
was the top-rated car for 1997, and it’s no surprise as to why—both the sedan and the coupe were heralded for their sublime handling, acceleration (0 to 60 in under 8 seconds), and speed, topping out at 130 miles per hour. The sporty Integra was also built with people in mind—both the sedan and the coupe are roomy, comfortable, and offer lots of cargo space. Fuel economy and dependability? Both excellent, and this shouldn’t be a shock considering Acura is
Honda
’s luxury & performance brand.The best luxury car of 1997: Audi A4
KBB fair market range: $1,500 to $3,000
Powertrain: Turbocharged 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder engine w/ five-speed manual or automatic transmission
What makes it special:
Audi stuffed a ton of power, terrific driving chops, and luxurious materials into a fancy-pants bargain—the 1997 A4.
With interior beauty that rivaled established luxury carmakers like BMW and Volvo, the
Audi A4
established itself as a force to be reckoned with, not to mention an accessible luxury option for a whole new portion of the U.S. car-buying market. Buyers were smitten with the A4’s smooth ride and responsive handling, as well as its pep—the turbocharged 1.8 L engine boasted a spritely 150 horsepower, while the 2.8 L option offered up 172 horsepower. The A4 came with either a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission, as well the all-wheel-drive option, or Quattro, as it is known in Audi circles.
The best SUV of 1997: Land Rover Defender
KBB fair market range: Unavailable
Powertrain: 4.0-liter V8 engine w/ four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
The 1997
Land Rover Defender
epitomized sports utility. Its powerful V8 engine gave it unsurpassed off-road ability, whether it be fording streams, crawling up steep and treacherous inclines, or expertly descending perilous declines with total control, the Land Rover Defender could barrel through pretty much anything in its path. The interior wasn’t much to write home about, with its spartan and not exactly comfortable layout. But at their core, sport-utes are meant for off-roading adventures, and you wouldn’t find a better choice to do so than the Defender.
The best luxury SUV of 1997: Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
KBB fair market range: $1,500 to $4,500
Powertrain: 4.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine w/ four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
The 1997
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
’s off-roading prowess was second-to-none amongst other luxury SUVs at the time. The Grand Cherokee Limited delivered in spades on the roads less traveled, with its standard four-wheel drive and terrific low-range mode, ideal for crawling through dense obstacles. But what really set the Grand Cherokee’s off-roading chops apart was its nuance—it conquers bumps, divots, and obstacles with aplomb and precision, as opposed to crushing everything in its path. And who knew off-roading could be so fancy? With its comfortable leather upholstery, loads of standard interior options, high-powered sound system, and luxe interior trimmings, you’ll ride in style, on or off the road.
The best family car of 1997: Toyota Camry
KBB fair market range: $2,000 to $4,000
Powertrain: 3.0-liter V6 engine w/ five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
Featuring a silky-smooth V6 engine, a slick-shifting 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission, and precise handling, the
Toyota Camry
was a hit in 1997. While slightly cheaper than the ‘96 model, the newer Camry made a name for itself with its comfort, efficiency, and reliability (a Toyota hallmark). The ‘97 Camry was also more powerful and offered better handling than the previous year’s model. Make safe driving pay
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Start earning nowThe best sports car of 1997: Porsche Boxster
KBB fair market range: $8,500 to $10,500
Powertrain: 2.5 L flat 6 cylinder w/ five-speed manual or automatic transmission
What makes it special:
The
Porsche Boxster
was actually the first roadster designed by Porsche in nearly two decades when it was unveiled in 1996, and the ‘97 version was even better. This mid-engine two-seater was inspired by the 1950s-era Spyder, similar to what the late movie heartthrob James Dean used to drive. The 1997 Boxster offered plenty of speed, pinpoint handling, and either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, as well as a power top that opened and closed in just 12 seconds, turning this coupe into a convertible, and back again.
The best truck of 1997: Ford F-150
KBB fair market range: $2,000 to $5,000
Powertrain: 4.2 L V6 engine w/ five-speed manual transmission
What makes it special:
This rumbling pickup truck was popular long before 1997 and remained so long afterward. But the 1997
Ford F-150
was notable in that it began a shift towards the personal driver, as opposed to being marketed only as a working rig. The ‘97 F-150 featured extra leg and hip room in the rear seats, as well as dual airbags, a new standard third door, and ABS brakes. Inside the truck, this shift was more pronounced, with smoother interior finishes along with leather upholstery, a six-CD changer, and a new anti-theft system.
What cars came out in 1997?
The year 1997 featured lots of new vehicles for every type of driver, so here are the best from that year in a handy table below.
Model | Vehicle type | Engine | Fair market range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sedan-coupe | 1.8-L inline-4 | $1,500 to $4,500 | *Car and Driver*’s top rated 1997 car | |
Sports car | 1.8- or 2.8-L inline-4 or V6 | $1,500 to $3,000 | The A4 put Audi on the U.S. luxury map | |
Sports sedan | 2.8-, 3.2-L inline-6 | $10,000 to $15,000 | Lightweight, efficient sports sedan | |
Luxury sedan | 2.8-L inline-six or 4.4-L V8 | $2,000 to $4,500 | The exec’s car of choice | |
Sedan | 2.0- or 2.4-L inline-four or 2.5-L V6 | $500 to $3,000 | Smooth sedan with roomy interior | |
Minivan | 2.4-L inline-six or 3.0-, 3.3-, or 3.8-L V6 | $1,000 to $3,000 | Spiffed-up family hauler | |
Midsize sedan | 2.4-L inline-four, 2.5-L V6 | $750 to $3,000 | A sporty, Euro-inspired sedan | |
Sporty coupe | 2.2-L inline-four | $2,000 to $5,000 | Responsive, F1-like driving experience | |
Luxury convertible | 16 valve inline-4 | Not available | Sexy and sharp on the outside, cozy and luxurious on the inside | |
Midsize sedan | 3.0-L V6 | $2,000 to $4,000 | Best selling car of 1997 |
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FAQs
What was the most popular car in 1997?
No surprise here—the Toyota Camry was 1997’s best-selling car.
What was the fastest car in 1997?
The Porsche 911 GT1 was 1997’s fastest car, with a top speed of 191.4 miles per hour, and it went from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds.
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