The 2020 TRD is a Disguised Camry with Renewed Qualities

While manufacturers, for the most part, are abandoning sedans or reducing their supply, the opposite is happening at Toyota with the Camry. For 2020, it offers a version that features a high performance sedan look, the TRD.

In 2020 model year, it's the first that Toyota presented the TRD version of the popular Camry sedan. Built on a specially reinforced chassis by the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) team, the Camry TRD displays a more aerodynamic styling created by Calty, Toyota's North American design studio. In terms of performance, we are talking about a sedan that has become sporty and completely at ease on the racing circuits.

This new sporty variant is based on a Camry SE equipped with the 301 horsepower V6 engine, but adds a less restrictive full exhaust system. In the TRD trim, the sound of the V6 is harsher, something we just don't know about a Toyota Camry.

Toyota has nine trims of Camry. This rich range of nine available trim levels include L, LE, SE, SE Nightshade Edition, XLE XSE, TRD, XLE V6 and the XSE V6. The first six trims come in a 2.5 liter engine, while the upper trims come standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, both coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This large variety of trims helps car shoppers to find a 2020 Camry model that suites their tastes straight from the factory with no needed add-ons and customization.

For example, consider the TRD, which Torque News test-drove this week. The 2020 Camry TRD's recipe is to bring those track settings and more aggressive styling cues to popular Toyota models, without taking anything away from them in terms of comfort and functionality in everyday use.

Mechanics and Design of the 2020 Camry TRD

When you look at the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD, it seems like the real spectacle is found in the back. There's a diffuser on the bumper, a huge spoiler on the trunk, and two big, chrome-tipped exhaust pipes. Unless the name Camry TRD was written there, no one would believe it. My friends were truly surprised this was a Camry. Some people, when they look at the Camry TRD, they think those are just cool modifications. Personally, I think NEVER in its long history has the Camry looked so good.

The new Camry TRD is powered by a 3.5-liter DOHC 301 horsepower V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with sport mode and paddle shifters. Better breathing is allowed for the engine thanks to a specially calibrated “cat-back” dual exhaust system.

The model also benefits from exclusive aerodynamic elements, which actually complement the sleeker forms of the next-gen Camry, and which support the dynamic stance of the TRD-modified chassis. We therefore find a front air intake, side skirts, a trunk spoiler and a rear diffuser. According to Toyota, the result is better stability at high speeds. Also included are stripes, brake calipers and red TRD emblems.

9 '' x 8.5 '' matte black alloy wheels gain half an inch in width, but are 3.1 lbs each lighter than the 19 '' x 8 '' alloy wheels found on XSE versions of the Camry regular. The specially calibrated brakes are larger in diameter and the calipers are two-piston.

The 2020 Toyota Camry TRD comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense-P, a suite of advanced driver assistance technologies, including pre-collision braking.

The Camry TRD also features an exclusive grille in a Gloss Black finish with sport mesh design and black exterior badging. The available color palette includes Supersonic Red, Shiver Ice Pearl, Celestial Silver Metallic (all three two-tone) and Midnight Black Metallic.

The Interior of the 2020 Camry TRD

The Camry TRD is embellished on the interior with sporty front seats in black, red accents and TRD embroidered headrests with red stitching. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is also adorned with red stitching and even the seat belts are red. An embossed TRD logo shift knob, exclusive TRD floor mats and trunk mats, and a TRD multifunction display with visual start confirmation complete the suite of cabin enhancements.

Even if the TRD is a disguised Camry, all of its qualities are renewed. The interior offers a very spacious environment, very comfortable seats, good visibility and a pleasant driving position. However, I would recommend Toyota to improve the EnTune 3.0 multimedia system. An update here would be much appreciated.

The rear seats provide ample amount of room. Despite its unexpected looks, the TRD Camry maintains its family attributes with a 427-liter trunk. Although spacious, it remains nearly fifty liters smaller than that of the Honda Accord.

Toyota has built a solid reputation over time for the frugality of its engines. Even though the TRD is all about performance, I am blown away by the fuel economy. Toyota promises 22 city / 31 highway mpg.

Jeff Teague, one of top Toyota news experts at Torque News, says "the Toyota Camry TRD makes a performance car out of the country's top-selling midsize sedan. Look for precise handling and tight cornering with TRD. With thicker body bracing and TRD-tuned suspension, 2020 Toyota Camry TRD gives drivers a more one-with-the-road feel. I recommend people test Camry TRD for themselves. This is definitely not your typical Camry."

It remains to be seen whether there is a market for a sportier Camry. Do you think there is a good market for the 2020 Camry TRD? Car and Driver says, "Toyota Racing Development tried to make the 2020 Toyota Camry into a real sports sedan, and the resulting car is selling fast. The Camry TRD starts at $32,125, and Toyota is producing only 6000 of them for each model year."

The Specs of The 2020 Toyota Camry TRD

Model: 2020 Toyota Camry
MSRP: From $31,170
Horsepower: 301 hp
MPG: 22 city / 31 highway
Engine: 3.5 L V6
Curb weight: 3,572 lbs
Torque: 267 lb-ft

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.

Reference Auto123, RPM Web.