2021 Toyota Camry TRD review: Flash with some performance sizzle

Forgive me, but I couldn’t assist but initially be skeptical about the Toyota Camry TRD. Granted, the recent-generation Camry is unquestionably the most intense-looking a person to day and Toyota has been generating headway in setting up much more engaging autos with products like the Supra. But a performance variation of the Camry? Actually?

A lot more visible flash

To give the Camry TRD much more mind-set, Toyota’s designers made a entire body package that adds a black grille with mesh insert, front splitter, side aero skirts, trunk wing and rear diffuser. If all those aren’t adequate to warn other motorists on the highway that they aren’t dealing with a regular run-of-the-mill Camry, then the purple TRD badges will make it obvious as working day. The entire package rides on trick 19-inch matte-end black wheels.

I have to say, this Camry TRD features some styling aptitude and mind-set. The front conclude appears to be plenty intense, and all the black TRD entire body extras contrast nicely with my examination car’s Ice Edge paint. The entire point is effective perfectly with the Midnight Black roof for an impactful two-tone visual appeal.

Within, the TRD exclusives include things like black SofTex-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, purple contrast stitching, a TRD shift knob, TRD gauges, purple seat belts, TRD flooring mats and aluminum pedals. I do wish Toyota would have long gone a person step additional and beef up the front seat side bolsters. As is, there is certainly some support there, but a little much more would be appreciated to retain riders better nestled in area.

The relaxation of the Camry’s interior is on par with every little thing in the midsize sedan class. The supplies are great with most main surfaces wrapped and switched, although the difficult plastics are nicely concluded. Passenger space in each rows is generous and there are several slots and cubbies to stash things up front. However, people in the back will have to make do without having climate vents, a heart armrest or electricity details. Trunk space measures in at a roomy 15.one cubic ft but carrying longer goods in the TRD will be challenging considering that the 2nd-row seat backs do not fold down since of a V-brace set up at the rear of for included entire body stiffening. 

Up to date technology

Like each individual 2021 Camry, the TRD gets a new floating touchscreen infotainment exhibit that places the controls a tad nearer to passengers, and will help lower glare on the rather small 7-inch screen. Buttons and knobs flanking the screen permit simple entry to the frequently used menus and stereo adjustments, although the touchscreen’s structure is simple to navigate. However, the technique has a apparent delay when modifying among menus.

Normal attributes include things like a 6-speed seem technique, satellite radio, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot and each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. If you’re an audiophile, you can possibility out your Camry TRD with a 9-speaker JBL audio technique for an added $one,585.

On the active safety front, the TRD gains regular blind-location monitoring and rear cross-site visitors warn for 2021 in addition to an enhanced Toyota Safety Perception two.five Plus package. Forward-collision warning can now decide up bicyclists and is better at detecting pedestrians in low-mild situations. Adaptive cruise regulate, computerized crisis braking, lane-departure warning and highway indication support are also integrated.

A better performer

Motivation will come from a silky three.five-liter V6 pumping out 301 horsepower and 267 pound-ft of torque. As opponents have abandoned 6-pot engines in favor of turbocharged fours, I applaud Toyota’s final decision to stick with a 6 for its seamless and linear electricity supply. Throttle response is snappy at suggestion-in and low-conclude torque is suitable, while undoubtedly not as muscular as pressure-induced I4s in rival autos. From the center of the rev assortment to the six,800rpm redline, while, the V6 pulls forcefully and sounds sweet, emitting a incredibly great midrange growl as a result of a TRD cat-back exhaust. 

An 8-speed computerized transmission routes electricity to the Camry’s front wheels and goes about its operate in a seamless fashion. Gear modifications are constantly perfectly-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 major steering wheel-mounted paddles to manually orchestrate the gears, they are incredibly responsive to downshift commands. Behavior for upshifts is much more erratic, while — speedy to answer at moments and hesitant at some others.

When pushed generally, the TRD’s drivetrain returns an EPA-believed 22 mpg in the metropolis and 31 mpg on the highway. In blended driving, I noticed twenty five mpg, matching the EPA’s blended gas economic climate ranking.

The Camry TRD’s most important modifications come in the chassis department. Thicker underbody and aforementioned rear seat bracing raises the sedan’s torsional rigidity. A suspension overhaul provides various shock absorbers, stiffer springs, a fifty percent-inch reduced journey peak and greater antiroll bars. Perch all of that on 19-inch Michelin Primacy MXM4 all-time tires and you have oneself a tidy handler.

At corner convert-in, the TRD’s entire body squats a little and confidently corners better than any Camry I’ve at any time pushed. You can find adequate grip and composure to have a pretty great time at the rear of the wheel. Of program, pushing the Camry difficult final results in the front conclude washing out in a gradual fashion. The trade-off to the firmer chassis is a small lower in journey ease and comfort. Impacts from bumps are felt much more than a regular Camry, but are in no way violent or not comfortable. The progress team did an remarkable career balancing performance and journey top quality right here.

The brakes are also upgraded — and not only with purple paint on the front calipers. The TRD’s front clampers are two-piston models rather of single-piston stoppers on non-TRD Camrys, and they clamp down on larger 12.9-inch rotors (up from 12). They’re robust, scrubbing off speed in a hurry, while firmer pedal feedback is on my wish listing. The steering is direct adequate and acceptably weighted, inspite of a small lifeless location on heart.

How I’d spec it

The Camry TRD starts off at $33,285, including $one,025 for destination. As for me, I’d get started by checking the box for the two-tone Ice Edge paint and Midnight Black Metallic roof like my tester. It appears to be wonderful and is well worth the $500 upcharge. Since I delight in my tunes, I’d also get the $one,585 JBL audio technique to have a little something better than the regular 6-speaker set up. And finally, $129 to give rear passengers simple entry to a pair of USB ports is a no-brainer, bringing the bottom line of my excellent Toyota to $35,499. Which is much more than my $34,312 tester, but I come to feel the few excess niceties are well worth it.

A much more entertaining Camry

As opposed to the base auto, the Camry TRD is unquestionably a sharper specimen. The entire body package is not garish, doing adequate to visually pump this sedan up, although the much more boisterous exhaust and better dealing with reflexes provide a generate working experience that is certainly much more pleasurable. There is, however, room for enhancement — some tinkering to the steering and brakes would additional amp up this Camry. All points thought of, however, the TRD is a nice surprise.