The Toyota Camry may not be the most interesting car in the world, but it has a larger following than many niche sports cars out there. It’s the vanilla sedan aimed at those who just want to get from point A to point B safely, and with no unpleasant surprises. That said, as the Camry moniker matured, it became less and less boring.
First came a shift in the design language that did away with the often overly conservative and monotone aesthetics. This new direction behind the Camry’s development lit a spark of hope in many that performance upgrades might also be in the works. Many held their breath in anticipation of a spicier offering — a Camry that could get off the line with conviction. When the Toyota Camry TRD dropped in 2020, it appeared to be the answer to everyone’s wishes. But was it?
Eight-generation Toyota Camry 101
The eight-generation or XV70 Toyota Camry is a global model. Like Corolla, its name is recognized worldwide and although comparatively less popular, the Camry is a truly important product for Toyota. The Toyota Camry sits above the Corolla in the company’s portfolio being a better equipped and larger alternative. The XV70 Camry emphasized these strengths even more. It was introduced at the January 2017 North American International Auto Show where it showcased the company’s new TNGA-K platform.
Since then, the TNGA-K platform became widely used across Toyota’s D-segment/E-segment, or mid-size/full-size car, as well as the compact/mid-size crossover SUV categories. Given the Camry’s popularity worldwide, each market gets its trim levels and there are many of them. Trim levels for the North American Camry include the L, LE, SE, XLE, XSE, XLE V6, and XSE V6, as well as LE, SE, and XLE versions of the Camry Hybrid. Last but not least, there is also the TRD trim level.
Aside from the range-topping V6 powerplants, the XV70 Camry featured a few other powertrain options. The most basic engine is the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that makes 203 HP. There’s also a slightly more powerful version of this engine with twin-exit exhausts that makes 208 HP.
The Camry Hybrid, meanwhile, uses the same engine along with an electric motor and makes 208 HP as well. The most powerful engine on offer is the 3.5-liter V6 which makes a respectable 301 HP — the very same engine that comes in the TRD. It’s not a souped-up LS V8, but then again this motor is all about reliability and efficiency.
Toyota Camry TRD – What Makes It Special?
The Toyota Camry TRD isn’t just a regular Camry with red highlights and a TRD badge. The company has made a notable amount of changes that help make it worthy of the iconic badge. However, most of that effort was focused on things other than the engine.
Powering the Camry TRD is the 2GR-FKS, 3.5-liter (3,456cc), 24-valve DOHC (with VVT-iW and VVT-i) V6 engine paired with the automatic transmission from the non-TRD trim levels. The only thing that differentiates the TRD is the exhaust system. In the company’s own words, “the TRD-tuned cat-back dual exhaust gives it a throatier idle and acceleration sound”. However, that’s where the differences end. In essence, Toyota wasn’t really interested in going any further in terms of powertrain changes.
While somewhat disappointing, such a decision was made within the context of current developments in the automotive industry. Using an engine that can be found in other Toyota offerings like the Tacoma, GS 350, and Avalon, made perfect sense logistically since the company is no longer excited to pursue ICE engine development or tuning. What doesn’t make sense is failing to refine the already familiar package to make it more in line with the TRD moniker. While the power-to-weight ratio is adequate, the Camry TRD suffers from a rather lethargic transmission tune.
The exhaust makes all the right noises, but the gearing of the eight-speed auto is too tall for this application. You can get to 90 MPH in third gear which means you have 5 more gears to go and just 22 MPH remaining as the Camry TRD has a top speed of 112 MPH. That’s not the only problem, the transmission also has trouble finding the right gear at times even in sports mode.
Toyota was hoping to justify the TRD badge in other ways. The Camry TRD makes use of stiffer springs and front and rear sway bars for a claimed increased roll stiffness of 44% in the front and 67% in the rear. The revised springs are paired to shock absorbers or struts designed to work with them. These TRD shock absorbers feature changes to control body roll while ensuring there isn’t a huge compromise in terms of ride quality. This suspension setup also reduces the ride height by 0.6 inches which helps reduce the center of gravity while also giving the sedan a sportier stance.
Other improvements on the Camry TRD come in the form of the 19-inch alloy wheels which are wider and lighter than the ones found on the XSE trim level. Toyota claims each wheel is 3.1 pounds lighter. These wheels result in a reduction in unsprung mass while improving the turn-in response.
According to reviews, the Camry TRD has a noticeably firmer ride than the regular Camry models. That said, it only gets to the point of being harsh over deep potholes and sharp bumps. A consequence of the firm setup is a composed and feedback-rich ride quality. Reports suggest that the steering isn’t as communicative as it should be, especially when you compare it to the ones on other sporty Toyota cars. However, what it lacks in the steering feel it makes up for with grip as the wider wheels accommodate wider tires.
Does the Camry TRD Get Better Brakes?
Toyota has also equipped the Camry TRD with larger 12.9-inch rotors that feature dual-piston calipers. For reference, the XSE trim level makes use of 12-inch rotors with single-piston calipers. These brakes have allowed for better bite and feel which means you can brake later into turns. There are a few Camry owners who’ll make use of this, but it’s nice to have regardless.
Another feature the Toyota Camry TRD benefits from is what the company calls Active Cornering Assist. This system uses the brakes to improve the car’s cornering abilities. It does this by using the brakes on the inner wheel while the car is still being given gas. Thanks to this, the car can turn in quicker.
Exterior and Interior Highlights
The Camry TRD features sharper styling thanks to revised bodywork. This includes a front splitter, side skirts, diffuser, and trunk lid spoiler. These subtle cosmetic additions to the exterior help spruce up the styling and give it that sporty sedan styling. Additionally, it makes use of a gloss black front grille with a mesh insert and polish exhaust tips that are reserved for this model helping it stand out even further. The Camry TRD also gets unique color options.
On the inside, one will notice red highlights. The trim and the seats have red accents. The black seats also have red TRD logos embroidered on the headrests. The leather-wrapped steering wheel also features red stitching and the seatbelts are also finished in red. The Camry TRD also makes use of a shift knob with a TRD logo. One will also notice the TRD logo on the mats and the infotainment system during start-up.
As the Camry TRD sits above every other trim level, it’s quite well-equipped. Dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dynamic radar cruise control, and a blind-spot monitor system with rear cross-traffic alert come as standard. The Camry TRD also gets a seven-inch touchscreen display audio system and integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Toyota Camry TRD – Is It a Good Purchase?
Despite the Camry TRD not having the most responsive transmission, it’s still a good purchase. The fact that Toyota essentially did nothing but use the stock Camry drivetrain means that they could price the TRD more competitively. With a starting price of $32,910, the Camry TRD sits above the XSE ($31,145) and below the XSE Hybrid ($33,420). At the price point, it has no direct rivals and makes for a good entry-level sports sedan.
All that said, it’s hard to argue that this is a true Toyota sports sedan. If you’re looking for something that can get you from A to B, but still is unhinged enough to scare the living daylights out of you when you throw it around a corner, you may want to look elsewhere.
Looking for Spares for Your Toyota Camry TRD?
Newparts.com offers an extensive range of spares for vehicles of most makes. Our parts portfolio also includes many of Toyota’s vehicles, including the latest Camry TRD. If you are in the market for spares or just wondering what certain spares would cost before making a purchase, take a look at our Shop. Many online marketplaces allow sellers to list parts without a quality check. That’s something you don’t have to worry about with Newparts.com, as we only sell the highest quality parts.
