The Toyota Camry is one of the best midsize sedan options on the market right now, and while it’s well-known for being a great car for daily driving, it can be more than that. Indeed, Toyota offers the TRD trim for the Camry, and it’s a cheap way to make the automaker’s midsize sedan much more fun to drive. Here’s a look at how the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD offers a lot of power for the price.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD’s performance upgrades

TRD, which stands for Toyota Racing Development, is usually the sportiest trim that Toyota offers on its cars, according to CARFAX. The significant upgrade that the TRD trim gets over the standard Toyota Camry is in its engine. Like the other top-of-the-line Camry trims, the TRD trim gets a 3.5-liter V6 engine that provides 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. For comparison, the standard Camry has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque.

On top of that, the TRD trim gets some upgrades that make the Camry a much more sporty car than usual. For example, the Toyota Camry TRD trim comes with a stiffer suspension, sporty tires, and more. As a result of those upgrades, the Camry TRD can handle corners quite well. 

However, not only does this Camry handle well, but it also still has a smooth ride that customers are expecting. Additionally, there are some racing-inspired changes on the inside and outside. For example, there’s a large rear wing, and the Camry’s cabin has plenty of red accents everywhere. 

Why this Toyota midsize sedan is a ‘performance bargain’

Off the bat, the Toyota Camry TRD starts at about $35,000, and that’s significantly more expensive than the regular Camry, which starts at about $25,000. That being said, the TRD trim is cheaper than the most costly trims available on the Camry. A fully-loaded Toyota Camry can cost over $40,000, and it’ll be equipped with the same powerful V6 engine that the TRD trim has.

The performance upgrades of the Camry TRD trim are somewhat unique for the segment, too. According to CARFAX, most midsize sedans don’t have a V6 engine, and instead, the sportier versions will have a turbocharged four-cylinder engine instead of a naturally aspirated four-cylinder. However, the Camry TRD’s V6 not only provides a lot of horsepower but also makes the car feel and sound sportier than its competitors.

For example, not only is the Kia Stinger a slightly more expensive sports car than the Camry TRD, but the Stinger starts with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Customers will have to pay far more to get a V6 on the Stinger. That’s part of the reason why Carfax said that the Toyota Camry TRD is a “performance bargain.” 

Other great features on the Toyota Camry TRD

Outside of the performance upgrades, the Toyota Camry TRD is also a nice sedan for other reasons. For example, its dashboard is relatively simple, making it easy for drivers to concentrate on driving and having fun with their Toyota. According to CARFAX, it still has a touchscreen, but Toyota designed the Camry TRD’s cabin to be “free of distracting gimmicks,” according to CARFAX.

Additionally, the Camry TRD is still a Camry, and this means that it still has many of the great features that folks are looking for. Not only is there a lot of space for people to feel comfortable in, but its cargo capacity is also suitable for a sedan. Toyota’s materials aren’t premium, but they’re still comfortable.