Ah, the venerable Toyota Camry, a automobile that is as innocuous as it’s ubiquitous. This ever-practical four-door is about as engaging as a brand new pair of slacks or perhaps a coupon for half-off tacky breadsticks with the acquisition of a medium, one-topping pizza. Yes, it is a wild and loopy trip! Long a logo of automotive indifference, the Camry is simple prey. Even the present, eighth-generation mannequin, which is indisputably essentially the most thrilling model Toyota has ever produced, remains to be greater than lampoonable. But it on no account deserves to be the butt jokes hurled by automotive snobs like me.In some ways that is an enviable household four-door, spacious and quiet, {smooth}, snug, protected and possibly essentially the most dependable automobile in its phase. Change the oil as soon as each decade or so and you have to be good for lots of of 1000’s of trouble-free miles.The Camry is a stalwart of the midsize-sedan phase.
Craig Cole/Roadshow

Not solely that, this has additionally been the best-selling automobile in America for, like, the final 452 years. Didn’t Thomas Jefferson drive round his Monticello property in a Camry? Highlighting its recognition, Toyota shops delivered greater than 340,000 of them in 2018. Clearly, there are explanation why this straightforward, unintimidating automobile appeals to so many shoppers. TRD: Totally Revamped DynamicsWhen the latest-generation Camry debuted for model-year 2018 it was a transparent indication from Toyota that the corporate was dedicated to constructing more-exciting autos. The automaker took what’s arguably the crown jewel of its product lineup and critically spiced issues up. With wild grille designs and an expressive inside, this model of the automobile is much extra fascinating than previous fashions. 

Further ratcheting up the thrill, a Camry TRD is now supplied, a specifically modified model enhanced Toyota Racing Development, the automaker’s personal tuning division. Major alterations embrace issues like thicker underbody bracing for improved torsional rigidity; a dual-outlet, cat-back exhaust system; stiffer stabilizer bars; new coil springs that drop the trip top by greater than half an inch; particular shock absorbers; and matte-black, 19-inch wheels.

Behind the Camry TRD’s trendy wheels are bigger entrance brakes and a very retuned suspension.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
Beyond these not-insignificant adjustments, bigger, 12.9-inch entrance brake rotors squeezed by dual-piston calipers are fitted to TRD fashions, offering higher stopping efficiency. Lesser Camrys make do with single-pot binders clamping down on 12-inch discs.Styling to matchEnsuring this Camry instructions consideration at stoplights and in parking heaps, a number of visible adjustments have been made, a few of that are praiseworthy, others not a lot. An aggressive grille design with black mesh inserts is included, and almost unattainable to overlook. TRD fashions are additionally fitted with color-keyed rocker-panel trim, black exterior mirror covers and window moldings, distinctive badges and a racy-looking although considerably obnoxious rear spoiler. Yes, this automobile has acquired some vital upgrades however c’mon, it is nonetheless a Camry. That wing is only a bit an excessive amount of.Four exterior colour schemes are supplied on this TRD-ified sedan. You can get all black, a sinister selection that makes the automobile look a bit like Darth Vader’s helmet, or you might seize white, grey or crimson, all of which come paired with a black roof. The final of these choices, known as Supersonic Red, is especially fetching. Matching its flashy physique, this Camry is fitted with a wide range of inside upgrades. Things like pink security belts and stitching, TRD-branded mats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and SofTex-trimmed seats with material inserts present some visible flash along with the automobile’s swooping, asymmetrical dashboard. Whether any of that is sporty or not is as much as you.TRD fashions obtain just a few inside enhancements in comparison with common Camrys, although nothing too excessive.
Craig Cole/Roadshow

For added comfort, there’s keyless entry and push-button begin. A touchscreen infotainment system with a 7-inch show can be included. This is slightly on the small aspect lately, however it’s mounted up excessive and is simple sufficient to make use of. Mercifully, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are actually each supported. Helping maintain cellular units juiced up is a pair of USB cost ports.Toyota’s  Safety Sense P driver-assistance suite is normal tools. This contains useful facilities like adaptive cruise management, lane-departure warning, automated excessive beams and extra.

The entrance buckets are smooth and fairly snug, although a bit extra lateral help could be appreciated, particularly since this automobile’s reworked suspension encourages drivers to hunt winding roads. For passengers compelled to journey within the economy-class cabin, there are about as many frills as on a low-cost airline. Yes, the backbench affords loads of room for noggins and knees, however the lack of a middle armrest, energy ports and air vents reeks of price slicing.In the Camry TRD there are not any air vents or energy plugs for rear-seat passengers.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
The Camry TRD positive aspects quite a few mechanical and visible adjustments, however has Toyota created one thing genuinely particular or merely pushed cynicism to new heights? I’ll provide the brief reply proper now: This automobile is certainly extra of the previous than the latter, however it’s not all unhealthy information, so maintain studying for all of the bawdy particulars.Old-fashioned efficiencyOnly one powertrain is obtainable within the Camry TRD. A silken, 3.5-liter V6 supplies the thrust and an eight-speed automated gearbox handles shifting duties, with torque being routed to the entrance wheels.That smooth-running engine is fitted with each port and direct gas injection, an association that aides effectivity and efficiency. All instructed, it cranks out a somewhat modest 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of twist, a bit lower than different producers wring out of equally sized engines.But it would not matter, as a result of the Camry TRD remains to be lots fast, transferring briskly when the accelerator pedal is prodded. Power ship is extremely refined, with no kicks, jerks or uncouth vibrations manifesting, although it does really feel quaint, and I imply that in the easiest way attainable. Unlike the downsized, turbocharged engines which might be so pervasive lately, which usually present a wallop at low rpm, this powerplant has to rev earlier than it wakes up. This 3.5-liter V6 is silky-smooth and fairly responsive.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
Keep the tachometer needle in the course of its sweep or greater and also you’re rewarded with loads of oomph and alluring noises. That TRD exhaust system supplies simply sufficient theatrics to sound fascinating with out straying into annoying territory. Really, it is properly balanced.I want the identical may very well be stated concerning the throttle. When this Camry is utilized in its default, Normal driving mode the accelerator tip-in is unbearably slothful. Press on the gasoline when taking off from a cease and nothing appears to occur for maybe a 3rd of its journey. I’m unsure if this can be a fuel-economy-boosting ploy or a results of Toyota’s unintended-acceleration scandal from years in the past, however it’s annoying. Fortunately, there’s a straightforward repair: Just put the automobile in Sport mode, which makes the throttle reply as you’d anticipate, in a way more linear style. As for that eight-speed automated transmission, there’s not a lot to say, and that is a very good factor. It does its job with minimal fuss or drama, shifting shortly sans harshness. There’s nothing to gripe about right here, and neither is there when it is time to fill ‘er up. Around city this automobile is rated at 22 miles per gallon. On freeway drives it ought to return 31 mpg. Combined, the EPA says the Camry TRD should go 25 miles on a single gallon of gasoline. Helping maintain prices low, it fortunately runs on 87-octane, regular-grade gas.What about that chassis?The Camry TRD’s drivetrain actually is not any completely different than what you get in different fashions fitted with the V6. What units this automobile other than the horde of different variants Toyota affords is that raft of suspension adjustments.All these TRD bits conspire to offer a good, managed trip. This automobile has not one of the softness or wallowing you are most likely accustomed to experiencing in a Camry. Recklessly toss it right into a nook and the physique stays flatter than a granite countertop a diemaker’s kitchen, at the same time as you crank the tiller to irresponsible angles. Making this chassis’ stoicism much more spectacular is the trip high quality, which is definitely agency however by no means insufferable, even whereas traversing war-torn pavement. Things get transferring at about 3,500 rpm; that is when the engine actually wakes up.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
One space that would stand to be improved is the steering. It’s fairly uninspired, however, sadly, that is the case with the overwhelming majority of latest autos bought in the present day. Nearly all of the enjoyable has been smothered by a sopping-wet comforter, a fuel-saving function known as electrically assisted energy steering. The Camry TRD’s tiller is ok, no higher or worse than what you get in different midsize automobiles.So, can a Camry be sporty?For what it’s, this TRD-enhanced household sedan drives nicely, with a agency trip, improved brakes and a throaty-sounding exhaust. Throw in all of the visible enhancements that include this bundle and you’ve got a automobile that is greater than only a skinny veneer of sport utilized to the identical previous Camry. Granted, it is not far more than that, however this bundle remains to be unexpectedly satisfying.And it is made all of the extra likable when pricing is factored in. For the quantity of automobile you are getting right here, the Camry TRD is surprisingly inexpensive. The take a look at unit I evaluated right here stickered for a downright cheap $32,920, together with $995 in vacation spot charges. Two-tone paint added a mere $500 to the bottom value.If Camry is the automobile that jingles your bells and you would like one with a V6 engine as a substitute of the bottom four-banger or accessible hybrid powertrain, take a look at the TRD mannequin. It’s a machine that ought to attraction to precise automobile folks, not simply people that put on elastic-waistband denims or do their vacation buying at a drugstore.An inexpensive value makes the Camry TRD much more engaging.
Craig Cole/Roadshow

Craig’s Comparable Picks