The Toyota Camry TRD: Surprisingly Sporty

The stylish, sporty Camry TRD is an affordable breath of fresh air from Toyota, but you may have to give up some features to enjoy this zippy ride. Is a Camry TRD for you?
Written by Katie Dyer
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
background
A closeup of the front of a blue 2021 Toyota Camry
The 2021
Toyota
Camry TRD is a solid attempt to pull the Camry out of everyday humdrum. Competing with the hugely popular and widespread Honda Accord, the Camry has been considered a solid, safe, reliable choice, but at times can be considered a little lackluster.  
If you want a spicier Camry, though, equipped with zip and excitement, check out the Toyota Camry TRD! Fun to drive, and with racy good looks, this Camry is a surprise. 

What does TRD stand for?

Before we jump into the nuts and bolts of this car, do you know what TRD stands for? It isn’t just a trim level. It stands for Toyota Racing Development. 
Vehicles with the Toyota TRD designation are given upgraded and mechanically enhanced parts to fine-tune their performance, whether to make them drive more like a sports car or to make them more rugged for better off-roading experiences.
They also feature some specific styling features to make the cars look racier, upgraded, and ready for fun and adventure. 
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Find insurance savings

2021 Toyota Camry TRD basics

MORE: Olympic Car Racing: Is It Coming Back?
The exterior of the four-door Toyota Camry TRD features a flashy-looking grille, aero skirts on the sides, a spoiler or back wing, a sporty ground effects kit, a front splitter, TRD exhaust tips, red details like brake calipers, larger front brake rotors, and black rims. 
The interior of the 2021 Toyota Camry TRD features trimmed SofTex seats with red contrast stitching, a leather steering wheel, TRD shift button and gauges, aluminum pedals, and red trim, including the well-known red seat belts. 
The Camry TRD comes with a 301 hp V6 and eight-speed automatic powertrain and features increased rigidity with stiff, lower springs, lower ground clearance, and sturdy anti-roll bars. This sporty-looking sedan sits 0.6 inches lower than regular Camrys. So, get ready to hug those corners!

2022 Camry TRD updates?

The only difference in the newest model is a new color for the Camry TRD—Cavalry Blue with a Midnight Black Metallic roof. This is a light-to-medium blue, topped by a shiny black roof, offering a stylish two-tone look that goes well with the exterior style components. 
The 2022 models will still come standard with the Toyota safety features like adaptive
cruise control
, emergency braking, lane-departure warnings, and road sign assist as part of the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5.
This Camry is both safe and reliable, just like generations of Camrys before.

What do the reviewers think?

If you want a fun driving experience,
Car and Driver
recommends the “the sport-tuned Camry TRD, which is actually entertaining to drive,” which they describe as the “spiciest Camry of the bunch” with its “silky” engine. 
Sounds like a dream on wheels, right? Well, that depends! 
Cars.com
lists all the features that are notably absent from the Camry TRD, including a back armrest, moonroof, dual control climate controls, folding rear seats, wireless charging, and rear AC vents. While this is the most affordable way to get a V6 Camry, they suggest you might be better off with a V6 Camry XSE, if you want the same peppy engine, with a more luxurious interior, for just a few thousand dollars more. 
However, if exterior racing styling is your thing, then go all-in on the Camry TRD!
The overall consensus is that the Camry TRD is a fun drive, with a  strong, zippy V6 engine and racy styling. It handles well, with good stability and cornering. It is an affordable way to get into a V6 powertrain, but the interior is lacking some features. 
In short, the Toyota Camry TRD is a blast to drive, as an affordable middle-of-the-road car, but with performance motor features, and great styling. 
Camry or not, you need car insurance. Have you tried
Jerry
yet? Download the Jerry app, and it will ask you a few short questions and then provide you with quotes from over 50 big-name insurance companies like Progressive and Allstate. 
You can look at how much you might be saving, and Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy right through the app. Now that’s service! Plus, the average Jerry customer saves $887 a year! 
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings