Most people recognize the Toyota Camry as a reliable, family-friendly, fuel-efficient sedan. But the latest 2020 Toyota Camry TRD will make new owners question everything they know about the Camry. In fact, the new Camry TRD may just be one of the best ways to get the most horsepower.

The 2020 Toyota Camry TRD: sports car power without the sports car price

The modern car market offers variety at every turn, and buyers no longer need to splurge for an expensive sports car to get power and performance. In fact, U.S. News experts recently compiled a list of “15 Cheap New Cars With Lots of Horsepower in 2020,” and though there are sports cars present, the list also features trucks, minivans, and even the midsize Toyota Camry TRD sedan.

According to U.S. News, buyers shouldn’t make assumptions about the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD as somehow Toyota managed “to turn the mild-mannered Camry into a sports sedan.”

The TRD version of the latest Camry features a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes an impressive 301 hp, turning the family-friendly Camry into “a stealthy rocket ship.” Although the Camry TRD isn’t technically a sports car, its potent power rivals those within in the sports car segment.

And out of all options on U.S. News’ list, the Toyota Camry TRD is one of the cheapest, with a starting price of around $31,000. In addition, the Camry is one of the best-rated vehicles, sports car or otherwise.

Why the Toyota Camry TRD offers more to owners than just horsepower

According to its impressive scores from U.S. News experts, it is possible that the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD can do no wrong. The Camry receives an overall score of 8.5/10, earning above-average scores in most categories, including a 7.4 in “Interior,” 8.5 in “Performance,” a 9.2 in “Critics’ Rating,” and a perfect 10.0 in “Safety.”

Its high overall score makes it one of the best-rated on the list of “15 Cheap New Cars With Lots of Horsepower in 2020,” but also second place for the entire midsize car segment. The 2020 Toyota Camry doesn’t just stop there either as it was also named the winner of two U.S. News awards: “2020 Best Midsize Car for the Money” and “2020 Best Midsize Car for Families.”

Although the TRD model is considered the top-of-the-line option for the Camry, it’s less than $10,000 more than the base Camry and offers plenty of value. In addition to earning the optional 301-hp, V6 engine as standard equipment, the TRD does everything it can to distinguish itself as a sports car, with “sport seats, a fixed rear seat, aluminum sport pedals, sporty interior and exterior styling, and a TRD-specific suspension system.”

Its amazing, sporty performance is only coupled by the Toyota Camry’s already impressive list of standard features, which includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Toyota’s Safety Sense P suite of driver-assistance safety tech, and above-par fuel-economy ratings.

Is there anything it can’t do?

It seems U.S. News struggles to find fault with the newest Toyota Camry TRD, stating that “a smallish trunk and noticeable cabin noise are among its few faults.” But experts at Edmunds say the 2020 Camry TRD “loses a little practicality,” as its rear seats lose the ability to be folded due to its stiffened chassis.

And although the Camry does come with a long list of standard features, its infotainment system and interior technology may be considered dated when compared to rivals in the segment. Although the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD is certainly not a sports car, it gets buyers as close as possible without the hefty cost.