This week, meet something special in the mainstream sedan segment: the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD. The Camry TRD, introduced back in 2020, is one of the best decisions made by Toyota in recent years. The TRD badge, which stands for Toyota Racing Development, means two things. A much sportier, get-you-noticed look and a performance-tuned, more engaging driving experience than you get with the typical tried-and-true Camry.
Exterior
The Camry TRD is definitely the coolest looking Camry in the parking lot. Especially in a new-for-2022 exclusive TRD Calvary Blue hue offset by an added cost Metallic Black Roof matched with a metallic black rear spoiler. A unique gloss black TRD grille with a sport mesh insert is flanked by bi-LED headlights and LED daytime running lights.
19-inch TRD black matte wheels with TRD center logos fitted to summer tires look terrific. Red brake calipers keep the sporty factor coming as does color keyed side rocker panels and an aero-kit with red pin-striping. On the tail end along with the spoiler, LED combo tail lights, and TRD badging you also get a TRD cat-back dual exhaust with a sporty exhaust note.
Powertrain
The Camry gas-only lineup offers two powertrains, a four-cylinder and a V6. The TRD benefits from the more powerful 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 301-horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Both power and acceleration felt great, especially in my always favorite Sport mode. It is front-wheel drive.
Ride and Drive
The TRD Camry is all about an enhanced track-tuned ride and drive thanks to all the Toyota Racing Development modifications to the chassis, shock absorbers and front and rear suspension. It also gets aerodynamic enhancements and larger 12.9 inch front brakes with dual piston calipers. All of the special TRD tuning makes the TRD Camry the best handling and most fun to drive Camry ever. To me, it’s a smooth and confident ride as well, but not the quietest ride in terms of road noise.
Interior
The Camry TRD’s cabin matches its sporty exterior looks with its black interior with bold red accents and some stitching. Comfortable Sport SofTex-trimmed front seats feature bold red accent trim and red TRD logos on the head rests. You buckle in with red seat belts. You’ll see red stitching on the dash, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob.
An 8-way power driver’s seat offers lumbar support. But since the TRD model isn’t the most equipped model, you won’t find a power adjusting passenger seat. As of 2022, the TRD is also now the only model without dual-zone climate. It was on the chilly side during my review week, so heated seats were also on my wish list.
The roomy cabin is a mix of soft-touch materials and plastic along with patterned metal trim and silver door handles. Red TRD badging adorns the front seat headrests and bold red-lined black floor mats. The center console hosts the leather-wrapped gear shift knob, cup holders and drive mode buttons along with auto hold and an electronic parking brake.
Technology
The TRD package upgrades the Camry’s entertainment features. You’ll get a responsive 9-inch touchscreen instead of a 7-inch screen. You’ll also get a JBL 9- speaker sound system instead of a standard 6-speaker system. The Camry’s multimedia system houses a backup camera and is compatible with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa as well as Bluetooth. Voice command works well. The TRD comes with two USB ports.
I would like to see a larger digital driver's display. The TRD model comes with a 4.2-inch TFT display. Some of the other Camry models upgrade to a 7-inch TFT display. Navigation and wireless charging are also not available in this model.
Options
The TRD Package listed on my test vehicle’s Monroney includes the JBL Audio Plus sound system and larger 9-inch multimedia screen for $1,585. The special metallic black exterior elements including the roof and spoiler tacks on another $500.
Safety
The Camry TRD comes with standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ that includes pre-collision with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, full speed dynamic radar cruise control, road sign assist and lane departure alert with steering assist. Unlike the 2020 model I reviewed, the 2022 TRD is equipped with Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but Rear Cross Traffic Braking is not available on the TRD.
What You’ll Pay
You’ll notice a price difference between the 2022 Camry TRD I’m reviewing compared to the model I test drove two years ago. It’s pricier, but comes with a few added features. This 2022 model as equipped is priced at $35,470, versus the 2020’s MSRP of $32,895. But the 2022 adds some driver assistance features as well as a larger multimedia screen and upgraded sound system. However, I’d still like to see the TRD get an option for heated seats, a larger TFT screen and a wireless charger.
- What I liked most: Its new for 2022 Calvary Blue two-tone looks and TRD exterior equipment, plus its sportier handling.
- What I would change: Give me heated seats and a wireless charger.
- MSRP: Base $32,360; as equipped $35,470.
- Official color: Calvary Blue and extra cost Midnight Black Metallic roof and rear spoiler.
- Fuel economy: 22 city/31 highway/25 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 1,250 miles.
- Spare tire: Temporary.
- Weight: 3,575.
- Length-width-height: 194.6” long/73.1” wide/ 56.3” tall
- Fuel-tank capacity: 15.8 gallons with filler on the driver’s side.
- Towing capacity: N/A
- 2022 Camry TRD in a few words: The best-handling Camry and one with looks that will get you noticed.
- Warranty: 36 month/36,000 Basic; 60-months/60,000 Powertrain/60- months/unlimited Corrosion.
- Final assembly location: Georgetown, Kentucky.
- Manufacturer’s website: Toyota
