The 2021 Toyota Camry TRD may have been born in Kentucky, but this car was definitely dreamt up with Daytona in mind. Looking just like one of its Camrys that run in NASCAR, Toyota created the 2021 Toyota Camry TRD to celebrate its Toyota Racing Development (TRD) motorsports division. The current, eighth-generation Camry is already the best ever for this mid-size sedan in terms of styling, but the new 2021 Toyota Camry TRD is hands down the sportiest Camry ever with bolder looks and improved chassis tuning.
2021 Toyota Camry TRD Exterior
We have been more than impressed with our seat time in the new Camry XSE in the past, but for buyers who want a more aggressively designed sedan, the 2021 Toyota Camry TRD is the real deal. From the first time you look at this TRD-tuned Camry, you know this isn't just an appearance package. Every angle of this Camry looks the part of a sports sedan starting with a bold front splitter, wide rocker panels, a rear wing and large dual exhaust outlets.
The Camry TRD has been lowered by 0.6 inches, and it features wider 19x8.5-inch alloy wheels with a matte-black finish that are wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza summer tires. To finish off the looks, Toyota only offers the 2021 Toyota Camry TRD in a limited number of colors including this tester's Supersonic Red hue with its roof painted in Midnight Black Metallic. According to the window sticker, this color combination costs an extra $925 ($500 for the two-tone paint and $425 for the special paint color), but it's well worth it once you see this car parked in the shining sun.
2021 Toyota Camry TRD Interior
Despite its race car looks, the cabin of the 2021 Toyota Camry TRD isn't all that different from the Camry XSE in terms of layout, but it gets a much sportier appearance. Opening the door reveals a stunning cabin including black SofTex leather like material on the seats, black leather on the shift knob and steering wheel and black floor mats all with eye-catching red contrast accents. TRD-embroidered headrests and aluminum pedals finish off the sporty cabin, and even the gauge cluster gets a unique TRD treatment with an all-red design for the speedometer and tachometer to go along with the special TRD start up screen on the digital readout.
At its core, the 2021 Toyota Camry TRD is still a typical family sedan, so there is plenty of room in this car for five adult passengers and their gear with 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space available in the trunk. The sportier intentions of the Camry TRD have the content list similar to the Camry's SE trim level, which was likely done to keep down the cost and weight of this model. It doesn't come with luxurious amenities like navigation, head-up display or a panoramic sunroof, but this Camry is still fun to drive and will be special to own.
2021 Toyota Camry TRD Powertrain
Don't be mistaken, the 2021 Toyota Camry TRD is far more than just an appearance package. Sure, the powertrain is identical to any V-6 Camry with a 3.5-liter direct-injected V-6 producing 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission, but Toyota has re-tuned the suspensions and exhaust to make this reliable family sedan feel like a true sports sedan. Push the start button on this Camry TRD, and the engine rumbles to life with a healthy exhaust note thanks to a TRD-tuned cat-back system. Yet even with these upgrades, the Camry TRD still returns excellent EPA-rated fuel economy estimates of 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway; even with plenty of revs to hear the exhaust, we still saw 28.4 mpg showing on the trip computer after our week with this sedan.
Where the 2021 Toyota Camry TRD really changes the game in the mid-size sedan segment is its TRD-tuned suspension. In addition to a ride height that sits about a half inch lower, the springs and sway bars are stiffer and the TRD shocks improve the handling. In true sports sedan fashion, even the brakes have been upgraded with this TRD model receiving 12.9-inch front rotors with dual-piston calipers - that's up from the 12-inch rotors and single-piston calipers found on the base Camry. Best of all, you can feel the difference that Toyota and TRD engineers put into this car. No, you won't confuse it for a German luxury sports sedan, but you won't regret not buying that new turbocharged Mazda6.
2021 Toyota Camry TRD Safety
The 2021 Toyota Camry comes with a 5-Star overall crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is a result of a solid design and standard safety features including Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P).
This suite of safety technologies includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Automatic High Beams, and the Toyota Star Safety System further enhances safety with Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology.
2021 Toyota Camry TRD Overall
Without a doubt, the current generation is by far the best design the Camry has ever had, and the 2021 Toyota Camry TRD takes this sedan's styling and performance to another level.
The Camry TRD has the handling to back up its unique style, and best of all, it still delivers the same practicality, dependability and affordability that buyers expect from a Camry. Compared to the $24,425 starting price of a base 2021 Toyota Camry, the TRD version packs plenty of value starting at $31,170. With only the added color options and handling charges, the Camry TRD used for this test drive review had an as-tested price of $32,920. We dare you to find another sedan priced under $40,000 that is as fun to drive as this one!
Jeffrey N. Ross | October 29, 2021
