2024 Toyota Camry TRD Video, Review, And Pricing

By: Peter Gregorian
May 8, 2024

As the automotive landscape shifts towards electrification and downsized engines, the 2024 Toyota Camry TRD stands as a last-of-its-kind. This midsize sedan is a testament to the enduring allure of the naturally-aspirated V6 engine, once a staple of power, smoothness, and sound in its segment. Our week with the Camry TRD, courtesy of Toyota Canada, was filled with more smiles than anticipated, despite a few drawbacks.

The Camry TRD proudly holds the title of the last mainstream, naturally-aspirated V6-powered sedan. With competitors abandoning their V6 options, the Camry TRD stands alone, a lone warrior in a battlefield once dominated by powerful family sedans. This model year is particularly poignant as it marks the end of an era, with the all-hybrid 2025 Camry waiting in the wings.

Under the hood lies the tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6 engine, known internally as the 2GR-FKS. This powerplant is robust and reliable, delivering 301 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque with a linear power band that left us grinning. The TRD designation brings cosmetic and performance upgrades with the TRD cat-back exhaust opening up the motor’s voice and producing a boomy symphony that adds an aggressive edge to the drive even if there is a slight presence of drone in the cabin. The 8-speed transmission, however, leaves more to be desired with its occasional hesitancy and slow gear changes, even in manual mode.

Further enhancing the traditional Camry driving experience, the TRD package introduces stiffer, lower springs, upgraded anti-roll bars, and additional chassis bracing, resulting in a 44 percent increase in roll stiffness at the front and 67 percent at the rear. The braking system also receives an upgrade, boasting larger front discs and two-piston calipers for confident stopping power.

Despite these performance-oriented additions, the Camry TRD doesn’t compromise on ride quality. In fact, the TRD-specific tuning elevates the driving experience with a comfortable and compliant ride that effortlessly absorbs bumps and road imperfections during daily driving. The suspension truly shines on spirited drives, where the chassis remains surprisingly responsive, allowing the vehicle to rotate with an agility that belies its size and 1,620 kilogram (3,575 pound) curb weight. The steering is nicely weighted and strikes a perfect balance between maneuverability and responsiveness, even if it is not overly communicative.

From the outside, the Camry TRD’s exterior is aggressive, turning heads with its two-tone “Underground” grey paint and black roof, low stance, 19-inch TRD matte black alloy wheels, uniquely shaped decklid spoiler, front lip, side skirts, and rear diffuser finished in black gloss with red striping.

Inside, the 2024 Camry TRD’s cabin blends ‘yesterday’s’ ‘ styling with subtle stylistic elements. Contrasting red stitching, red seat belts, and TRD accents inject a dose of sportiness. Fit and finish are solid, and the sport bucket seats remain comfortable yet supportive. The interior offers ample space and storage, including a generous 428-liter (15.1 cubic feet) trunk. However, the infotainment system, despite featuring wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, feels outdated. The smaller 7-inch touchscreen, single USB-C charging port, and single-zone climate control are disappointing, though expected for an era-ending model. The sound system is clear but lacks overall quality. A more appreciated feature is the physical buttons for heated seats and steering wheel, which remain activated until manually turned off.

From a safety standpoint, the 2024 Toyota Camry TRD packs Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5, which includes a suite of driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, which perform well but show their age.

The Camry TRD delivers reasonable fuel economy for its class, with a rating of 10.8L/100 km in the city and 7.6L/100 km on the highway. The large 60-liter (16 gallon) fuel tank makes it a practical choice for those who want power without constant trips to the gas station. We observed a combined real-world mileage of around 11.1 L/100 km, a reasonable compromise, especially with the Continental VikingContact 7 winter tires.

The 2024 Camry TRD is competitively priced with an MSRP of $41,295.08. From a pricing standpoint relative to the other Camry trimlines, the TRD falls roughly in the middle of the pack with the entry-level SE at $33,985.08, LE Hybrid at $35,685.08, SE AWD at $35,785.08, and SE Upgrade at $38,925.08 coming in below it. The XSE AWD at $41,785.08, XSE Hybrid at $42,285.08 and XLE Hybrid at $44,485.08 come in with pricing above the TRD. As such, the TRD represents a compelling option for those seeking performance without breaking the bank.

It’s hard to find a close comparable to the 2024 Toyota Camry TRD. It’s an excellent representative for the end of an era, packing a renowned V6 engine, engaging handling, comfortable ride, and sporty motif, all into one competitive price. Despite its shortcomings, the 2024 Camry TRD deserves a place in Toyota’s history books, or at the very least, in the stable of the Camry’s most loyal enthusiasts.