2020 Toyota Camry TRD Drive Review: For the Pragmatic Car Enthusiast
2020 Toyota Camry TRD has more attitude, greater performance, for less cash.
Toyota Racing Development, TRD for short, is the brand’s in-house tuning arm which offers higher performing variants of Toyota vehicles, as well as a range of optional dealer accessories, AKA over the counter speed parts.
Now, Toyota has adorned its prestigious TRD badge to the Camry sedan, a decidely unsporting vehicle, with the intent of turning up the heat, and making a more fun commuter car. And, with this Windchill Pearl white example glistening under the beaming Texas sun, it would appear at first glance that TRD has done just that.
2020 Toyota Camry Spec Sheet
The Camry TRD gets a custom bodykit with a front splitter, more aggressive side skirts, a rear diffuser and, interestingly, a prominent rear wing on the trunk. It also rolls on 19-inch TRD wheels, which measure 8.5-inches wide, half an inch wider than the rollers on the current Camry XSE.
The Camry TRD is based on the existing Camry SE model, which means it has no optional sunroof, and the rear seats do not fold down. This was done to save weight and increase body rigidity, as the rear seat structure on the Camry SE has several cross braces inside of it.
From there, the TRD Camry ditches the standard four-cylinder engine for the big boy 3.5-liter V6 out of the more expensive Camry XSE. That’s good for 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. A TRD exhaust system is also part of the package, but has no effect to the V6 engine’s power output over a standard Camry V6.
Then there are the suspension changes, of which there are many. The Camry TRD gets stiffer springs, which lower the car about half an inch, retuned shock absorbers with much more rebound, larger 27mm thick sway bars front and rear, three more chassis braces under the car, and, last but not least, a front brake upgrade, with larger 12.9-inch vented rotors with two-piston calipers.
A TRD-specific interior wraps the steering wheel, dashboard, shifter, seats and seatbelts in a black and red motif, which screams "sporty,” or, at least, Toyota thinks so.
The whole shebang costs $31,995 including the $955 destination and delivery charge, which makes it the cheapest way to get a V6-powered Camry. Toyota is planning on building just 6,000 examples of the Camry TRD, so this will be an uncommon sight for most.
Is It Any Good?
In a word, yes. Toyota claims the overall roll stiffness of the Camry TRD has been increased 50% from the standard car, and instead of making it feel harsh, it feels solid and composed, especially over rough and broken pavement, where the standard Camry would wallow and occasionally feel floaty.
This is true on the road and on the autocross course Toyota has setup to test vehicle dynamics. The Camry TRD was more agile than the comparable Camry XSE V6, and a few ticks of a second quicker, because of it. The slightly wider wheel and tire package and firmer suspension results in a more connected feel through the steering wheel, and an improvement in the handling balance, as well. While the standard Camry will always push its nose wide going into corners, the Camry TRD offered brief glimpses at a more playful and adjustable handling personality. It’s a subtle, but satisfying improvement from behind the wheel.
On the road, the TRD exhaust system offers a more authoritative growl off the line, but quickly fades to the background. The TRD team wanted to avoid any undue interior acoustics from those shiny new pipes so it’s a conservative sound that won’t blow your ears out.
The firmer suspension, likewise, falls to the wayside, especially at speed. On the freeway, passengers would be none the wiser that they are riding in a Camry with a TRD sport-tuned suspension system. The Camry TRD also doesn’t compromise in terms of efficiency, because even with the larger wheels and aerodynamic package, it still returns 22 MPG city, 31 MPG freeway and 25 MPG combined, which is impressive for the 3,572 pound family sedan.
The overall effect and sensation of the TRD treatment is that Toyota has added a bit of flavor to the otherwise competent, if slightly sterile original package. There is little in the way of compromise for people who enjoy a more connected driving experience. Though, the lack of the fold down rear seat was a definite bummer, and hamper on overall practicality. That the Camry TRD is now the least expensive way to get the sweet V6 engine makes it a no-brainer purchase for drivers who care even the slightest bit about performance or driving. Now, the only trick is finding one before all 6,000 examples are gone.
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