The Toyota Camry has long been associated with dependability, comfort, and a conservative appeal. It’s a midsize sedan that’s reliably chosen by families, commuters, and practical buyers around the world. However, in 2020, Toyota decided to spice up the Camry’s image with the launch of the Camry TRD 2024 — a bold, performance-oriented variant that’s aimed at enthusiasts seeking more than just a daily driver.
While the letters “TRD” (Toyota Racing Development) have traditionally been reserved for off-road beasts like the Tacoma TRD Pro or high-performance cars like the Supra, the idea of a TRD-badged Camry certainly raised eyebrows. But make no mistake — the Camry TRD isn’t just a badge job. It brings genuine performance upgrades, sporty aesthetics, and a driving experience that's surprisingly fun, all without sacrificing Toyota’s signature reliability.
This article offers a comprehensive look at the Toyota Camry TRD V6, from its powerful engine and aggressive design to its performance, practicality, and where it stands in the current midsize sedan market.
Exterior Styling – A Visual Departure from the Norm
From the outside, the Camry TRD makes a statement. While the standard Camry is sleek and modern, the TRD version adds aggressive flair. The most noticeable changes include:
Black front grille with a sport mesh insert
Gloss black accents on the mirror caps, window trim, and rear spoiler
19-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels
Red TRD badging
Body kit with side aero skirts, a front splitter, and a rear diffuser
The dual exhaust with polished stainless steel tips not only looks the part but adds a deeper, throatier growl to the TRD’s demeanor. The body kit isn’t just for show — it's aerodynamically functional and helps with stability at higher speeds. Available in bold colors like Supersonic Red, Celestial Silver, and Midnight Black Metallic, the TRD Camry stands out in a sea of otherwise mundane sedans.
Overall, the exterior design of the Camry TRD V6 walks a fine line between sporty and aggressive without becoming ostentatious. It’s enough to turn heads without looking like it's trying too hard.
Interior – Sport-Inspired Comfort with Toyota Practicality
Step inside the Camry TRD and you’ll find an interior that blends sport-inspired details with familiar Toyota functionality. While the cabin isn’t radically different from other Camry trims, it does feature several unique touches:
TRD-branded headrests
Red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, and gear shifter
Red seat belts
Aluminum sport pedals
TRD floor mats
The seats are a mix of Sport SofTex®-trimmed surfaces with fabric inserts, providing decent bolstering for spirited driving while maintaining comfort for long trips. Toyota didn’t go full race-car on the interior — the TRD Camry is still a comfortable, family-friendly vehicle at its core.
The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and Amazon Alexa, and it’s paired with a six-speaker audio system. While not luxurious by premium standards, the cabin offers quality materials, intuitive controls, and plenty of space — especially in the rear seats.
Cargo space is slightly reduced due to the bracing added for structural rigidity (the rear seats do not fold down), but the 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space remains practical for most users.
Powertrain – The Heart of the TRD
The biggest draw of the Toyota Camry TRD V6 is its 3.5-liter V6 engine. This naturally aspirated powerhouse delivers:
301 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
267 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
0-60 mph in approximately 5.8 seconds
Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the TRD Camry sends power to the front wheels. Gear shifts are quick and smooth, and the paddle shifters add a bit more driver engagement. There’s no manual transmission option, but the automatic does a commendable job in both city traffic and spirited highway driving.
The V6’s performance is a pleasant surprise. It offers a linear power band, a responsive throttle, and enough grunt to make merging, overtaking, and backroad fun more exciting than any Camry has a right to be.
Toyota didn’t just drop in a powerful engine and call it a day — the TRD Camry also gets a sport-tuned suspension, including:
Stiffer coil springs and sway bars
Upgraded shocks
Bracing for added chassis rigidity
This makes the TRD model feel more planted and confident around corners, with reduced body roll and more feedback from the road. It’s not quite a sports sedan on par with a BMW 3 Series, but it’s a noticeable improvement over the softer standard Camry models.
Braking is upgraded too, with larger 12.9-inch front rotors and dual-piston calipers, offering strong and consistent stopping power.
Driving Experience – Surprisingly Engaging
The driving experience of the Camry TRD V6 is where it really shines for enthusiasts. The suspension changes provide a firmer, more communicative ride. While it might feel stiffer on bumpy roads, it’s not punishing — Toyota has done a great job balancing comfort with performance.
The TRD Camry handles corners with a degree of athleticism that’s rare in the midsize sedan segment. Steering is sharp and accurate, and while it could use a bit more weight and feel, it's precise enough for spirited drives. The V6 engine adds to the fun factor with a healthy roar, and the dual exhaust system emits a deeper tone that’s both refined and assertive.
For a front-wheel-drive sedan, torque steer is impressively minimal, and grip levels are solid thanks to wider tires. The TRD Camry feels stable, confident, and surprisingly composed — even when pushed.
Technology and Infotainment
Toyota doesn’t go overboard with technology in the TRD trim, but it covers all the essentials. Standard features include:
8-inch touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and Amazon Alexa compatibility
Bluetooth® connectivity
SiriusXM® and HD Radio™
USB media and charging ports
Smart Key System with push-button start
While the infotainment system isn’t as flashy or feature-rich as those in luxury vehicles, it’s intuitive and responsive. Toyota’s software interface is user-friendly, and the voice control features are reliable for basic tasks like navigation, calling, or controlling media.
Optional tech like a premium JBL® audio system is not available on the TRD model — Toyota kept it focused on performance rather than luxury.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Even in its sportiest form, the Camry TRD doesn’t skip on safety. It comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P), which includes:
Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
Automatic High Beams
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Other safety features include:
Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
10 airbags
Star Safety System™ (includes Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, ABS, etc.)
Backup camera with projected path
The Camry TRD earns excellent safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, making it a great choice for drivers who want performance without compromising peace of mind.
Fuel Economy – Respectable for a V6
Despite its performance orientation, the Camry TRD is reasonably fuel-efficient for a V6-powered sedan. EPA estimates are:
22 mpg city
31 mpg highway
25 mpg combined
These numbers are competitive with other V6 sedans in the segment, and with careful driving, many owners report real-world averages close to or even slightly above EPA estimates.
Pricing and Value
The Camry TRD is priced competitively, offering great value for the performance and features it delivers. As of its latest model year, MSRP is generally around $33,000–$35,000, depending on options and dealer pricing.
This positions it well against both mainstream and sportier rivals. For example:
Chevrolet Malibu SS (discontinued) – The TRD fills the void left by performance sedans in this segment.
Nissan Altima SR VC-Turbo – Offers similar power with a unique variable-compression engine, but lacks the same V6 smoothness.
Kia K5 GT – Another strong competitor with a turbocharged 4-cylinder and AWD option.
Honda Accord 2.0T Sport (discontinued in 2023) – No longer available, making the TRD a rare V6 option.
Compared to those, the Camry TRD offers a naturally aspirated V6, performance-tuned handling, aggressive styling, and Toyota’s legendary reliability — all for under $40,000.
Who is the Camry TRD For?
The Camry TRD V6 is ideal for buyers who:
Want a reliable daily driver with real performance
Prefer naturally aspirated engines for their linear power delivery
Value **Toyota’s reliability and safety
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