If you’re one of the Toyota Camry drivers competing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, you know firsthand the absolute thrill of full throttle driving. Ok, you’re not one of those drivers. But you can drive one of those cars -- via the first Camry sedan to wear the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) moniker: the 2020 Camry TRD. A week-long test drive put an exclamation point on the street-legal speedster sedan’s sounds and sensations. Racing cues on this four-door include red-painted brake calipers, aero-kit with red pin-striping, TRD gloss-black rear spoiler, 19-inch TRD matte black alloy wheels, and a TRD cat-back dual exhaust with polished stainless steel tips.
The tested 111.2-inch wheelbase Toyota Camry TRD is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that releases 301 horsepower at 6600 rpm and 267 pounds-feet of torque at 4700 rpm. Engine mates to an 8- speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The sedan’s taut cornering reactions emphasize a TRD-tuned front and rear suspension, replete with thicker underbody braces. Compared to the sport-minded V6 Camry XSE’s front brake rotors (12.0 inches), the Camry TRD’s front brake rotors are meatier (12.9 inches) and mate with dual piston calipers. The tested front wheel drive 2020 Camry TRD collects estimated mpg of 22 city/31 highway and carries a MSRP of $31,040.