2021 Toyota Camry TRD review: Flash with some performance sizzle

The Toyota Camry TRD definitely appears sporty.


Jon Wong/Roadshow

Forgive me, but I could not assist but at first be skeptical about the Toyota Camry TRD. Granted, the latest-technology Camry is unquestionably the most intense-looking one to day and Toyota has been generating headway in constructing additional engaging cars and trucks with products and solutions like the Supra. But a functionality edition of the Camry? Genuinely?

Will not Like

  • Flat front seats
  • Mushy brake pedal
  • Slow infotainment display reaction

Far more visual flash

To give the Camry TRD additional attitude, Toyota’s designers formulated a physique kit that provides a black grille with mesh insert, front splitter, facet aero skirts, trunk wing and rear diffuser. If all those are not adequate to warn other motorists on the highway that they are not working with a regular run-of-the-mill Camry, then the red TRD badges will make it very clear as day. The entire package deal rides on trick 19-inch matte-complete black wheels.

I have to say, this Camry TRD features some styling aptitude and attitude. The front conclusion appears a great deal intense, and all the black TRD physique extras distinction properly with my check car’s Ice Edge paint. The entire issue performs well with the Midnight Black roof for an impactful two-tone visual appeal.

Inside, the TRD exclusives include black SofTex-trimmed seats, a leather-based-wrapped steering wheel, red distinction stitching, a TRD shift knob, TRD gauges, red seat belts, TRD ground mats and aluminum pedals. I do wish Toyota would have long gone one move even further and beef up the front seat facet bolsters. As is, there is certainly some guidance there, but a little additional would be appreciated to hold riders far better nestled in area.

The relaxation of the Camry’s inside is on par with almost everything in the midsize sedan class. The supplies are nice with most key surfaces wrapped and switched, while the difficult plastics are properly finished. Passenger area in each rows is generous and there are several slots and cubbies to stash things up front. However, individuals in the back again will have to make do with out local climate vents, a heart armrest or electrical power factors. Trunk area actions in at a roomy 15.1 cubic feet but carrying longer objects in the TRD will be difficult since the next-row seat backs do not fold down mainly because of a V-brace set up driving for extra physique stiffening. 

Current technological know-how

Like just about every 2021 Camry, the TRD gets a new floating touchscreen infotainment display that puts the controls a tad nearer to travellers, and aids lower glare on the relatively compact 7-inch display. Buttons and knobs flanking the display allow straightforward entry to the frequently utilized menus and stereo changes, while the touchscreen’s format is straightforward to navigate. However, the system has a obvious hold off when altering involving menus.

A floating infotainment display is new for 2021.


Jon Wong/Roadshow

Common capabilities include a six-pace sound system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot and each Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle connectivity. If you might be an audiophile, you can choice out your Camry TRD with a nine-speaker JBL audio system for an supplemental $1,585.

On the lively basic safety front, the TRD gains normal blind-location checking and rear cross-traffic warn for 2021 in addition to an enhanced Toyota Safety Feeling 2.five Additionally package deal. Forward-collision warning can now decide on up bicyclists and is far better at detecting pedestrians in small-light-weight circumstances. Adaptive cruise management, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and highway sign guide are also provided.

A far better performer

Enthusiasm will come from a silky 3.five-liter V6 pumping out 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. As opponents have deserted six-pot engines in favor of turbocharged fours, I applaud Toyota’s selection to stick with a six for its seamless and linear electrical power delivery. Throttle reaction is snappy at suggestion-in and small-conclusion torque is suitable, while definitely not as muscular as force-induced I4s in rival cars and trucks. From the center of the rev array to the six,800rpm redline, while, the V6 pulls forcefully and sounds sweet, emitting a surprisingly fantastic midrange growl via a TRD cat-back again exhaust. 

The Camry’s V6 is a smooth 301 horsepower operator.


Jon Wong/Roadshow

An eight-pace automatic transmission routes electrical power to the Camry’s front wheels and goes about its work in a seamless fashion. Gear changes are often well-timed and there is certainly zero hesitation to go down a cog or two when you have to have to get moving. If you want to use the big steering wheel-mounted paddles to manually orchestrate the gears, they are surprisingly responsive to downshift instructions. Behavior for upshifts is additional erratic, while — rapid to react at situations and hesitant at other individuals.

When pushed typically, the TRD’s drivetrain returns an EPA-approximated 22 mpg in the town and 31 mpg on the highway. In combined driving, I noticed 25 mpg, matching the EPA’s combined gas economy score.

The Camry TRD’s largest changes arrive in the chassis division. Thicker underbody and aforementioned rear seat bracing boosts the sedan’s torsional rigidity. A suspension overhaul provides diverse shock absorbers, stiffer springs, a half-inch decrease experience top and bigger antiroll bars. Perch all of that on 19-inch Michelin Primacy MXM4 all-year tires and you have your self a tidy handler.

Even bigger front brakes are one of the TRD’s lots of functionality enhancements.


Jon Wong/Roadshow

At corner turn-in, the TRD’s physique squats a little bit and confidently corners far better than any Camry I have at any time pushed. There is adequate grip and composure to have a relatively fantastic time driving the wheel. Of class, pushing the Camry difficult benefits in the front conclusion washing out in a gradual fashion. The trade-off to the firmer chassis is a compact lower in experience comfort and ease. Impacts from bumps are felt additional than a normal Camry, but are in no way violent or unpleasant. The advancement workforce did an extraordinary task balancing functionality and experience excellent listed here.

The brakes are also upgraded — and not only with red paint on the front calipers. The TRD’s front clampers are two-piston units alternatively of one-piston stoppers on non-TRD Camrys, and they clamp down on much larger twelve.nine-inch rotors (up from twelve). They’re sturdy, scrubbing off pace in a hurry, while firmer pedal feed-back is on my wish record. The steering is immediate adequate and acceptably weighted, even with a compact lifeless location on heart.

This 2021 Toyota Camry TRD pictured listed here will value you $34,312.


Jon Wong/Roadshow

How I would spec it

The Camry TRD starts off at $33,285, together with $1,025 for vacation spot. As for me, I would begin by checking the box for the two-tone Ice Edge paint and Midnight Black Metallic roof like my tester. It appears good and is worth the $500 upcharge. Considering that I delight in my tunes, I would also get the $1,585 JBL audio system to have a thing far better than the normal six-speaker set up. And last but not least, $129 to give rear travellers straightforward entry to a pair of USB ports is a no-brainer, bringing the bottom line of my excellent Toyota to $35,499. Which is additional than my $34,312 tester, but I truly feel the pair additional niceties are worth it.

A additional entertaining Camry

As opposed to the base auto, the Camry TRD is unquestionably a sharper specimen. The physique kit is not garish, executing adequate to visually pump this sedan up, while the additional boisterous exhaust and far better managing reflexes provide a drive expertise that is in fact additional pleasurable. There is, nevertheless, space for improvement — some tinkering to the steering and brakes would even further amp up this Camry. All points regarded as, nevertheless, the TRD is a pleasant surprise.

Maria J. Danford

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