2020 Toyota Camry TRD First Test: Hot Rod Camry?

MotorTrend

MotorTrend’s Nick Yekikian tests the all new Toyota Camry TRD at Fontana Motor Speedway.

Transcript

00:00 This is the 2020 Camry TRD by Toyota Racing Development.

00:03 In other words, the only factory Toyota Camry

00:06 with the word racing in its name.

00:07 This Camry TRD is Toyota's way of leveraging the TRD name

00:11 to keep sedan buyers out of larger, less athletic SUVs.

00:14 How?

00:15 Amp up the sportiness.

00:16 (upbeat music)

00:19 So we're at Fontana Auto Speedway

00:27 and behind me is the 2020 Camry TRD.

00:30 Why did they make a Camry TRD?

00:32 Because they could.

00:33 Enter a Camry with over 300 horsepower

00:35 from a 3.5 liter V6, plus larger brakes,

00:38 stiffer springs and roll bars,

00:40 and more structural bracing.

00:41 Toyota added black 19 inch wheels,

00:44 a tougher looking body kit, a rear wing,

00:46 and a new exhaust with stainless steel tips.

00:48 (engine revving)

00:51 Associate road test editor, Eric Iapona,

00:54 liked the nice exhaust note and punch of the engine,

00:56 but found it hindered by all season tires

00:58 and a traction control system that wouldn't fully turn off.

01:01 In the quarter mile, the Camry TRD took 14.4 seconds,

01:05 about even with the two liter turbo Honda Accord.

01:08 With its larger brakes clamped by two piston calibers

01:10 instead of just one, the Toyota stops

01:12 from 60 miles per hour in 118 feet.

01:15 Iapona found decent brake feel and body control

01:18 without much dive.

01:19 Then it was time for the figure eight,

01:22 where the Camry's suspension changes

01:23 could really make a difference.

01:25 Testing director, Kim Reynolds, found the car fun

01:27 with tight handling and a firm ride.

01:29 - So I like these brakes.

01:32 It's nice and predictable braking into the corner

01:35 and you're able to sort of trail brake a little bit.

01:39 The car understeers quite a lot,

01:44 which means the nose slides first.

01:47 It's a nice predictable characteristic.

01:49 (engine revving)

01:53 - The takeaway?

01:54 The Camry TRD is a surprisingly athletic take

01:57 on the midsize family sedan and ought to sway

01:58 at least a few buyers away from a tippier, slower SUV.

02:02 And guess what?

02:02 It's a little bit quicker than the normal Camry with the V6,

02:04 so I guess the improvements were worth it.

02:06 That said, you're not gonna get a race car for the road.

02:09 It's still a Camry.

02:10 For the full story, go to MotorTrend.com.

02:12 (upbeat music)

02:15 (baby crying)

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