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