Test Drive Gallery: 2022 Toyota Camry TRD

2022 Toyota Camry TRD

Miles driven: 894

Fuel used: 35.2 gallons

CG Report Card

Room and Comfort	B+
Power and Performance	B+
Fit and Finish	B+
Fuel Economy	B
Value	A

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	A-
Tall Guy	A-

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	301-hp 3.5-liter
Engine Type	V6
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	front

Real-world fuel economy: 25.4

Driving mix: 30% city, 70% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 22/31/25 (city, highway, combined)

Fuel type: Regular gas

Base price: $32,360 (not including $1025 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Two-tone roof paint and rear spoiler–includes black window trim and sideview mirror caps ($500)

Price as tested: $33,885

Quick Hits

The great: Lively acceleration; upgraded handling and braking capabilities

The good: Good dollar value for a performance-oriented vehicle

The not so good: Sport-tuned suspension makes for a noticeably stiffer ride

More Camry price and availability information

CG Says:

For many years, the Toyota Camry midsize sedan had a reputation for being an especially plain-vanilla car—a thoroughly “beige” commuter mobile that was dead-nuts reliable, but painfully boring to people who wanted at least a little verve in their vehicle. However, over the last decade or so, Toyota has steadily given the Camry more pizzazz. The car’s attitude got significantly more dynamic with the launch of the redesigned eighth-generation model for the 2018 model year, and for 2020, Toyota saw fit to flesh out the Camry lineup with the sportiest production model yet: the Camry TRD.

You can check out our full test-drive review of the first-year Camry TRD for more details, as they all still hold true. The Camry has received only subtle changes since 2020, the most noteworthy of which was a switch to larger, tablet-style infotainment touchscreens in 7-inch or 9-inch sizes for the 2021 model year. There are no significant changes for 2022, and the recently announced 2023 models see only minor tweaks as well, such as new bronze-finished wheels for the blackout-trim SE Nightshade Edition.

The Camry TRD is more or less a “mono-spec” vehicle. Besides accessory-type items such as all-weather floormats, door-edge guards, and rear-bumper appliques, the only option is a TRD Premium Audio package with a JBL-brand audio system. You can also choose summer performance tires or all-season tires as a no-cost option. The interior comes only in black SofTex faux leather with red accents, and just three body-color choices are on offer for 2022: Midnight Black Metallic, Wind Chill Pearl with a Midnight Black Metallic two-tone roof (a $925 upgrade), or Cavalry Blue with a Midnight Black Metallic roof (a $500 upcharge, as shown on our test vehicle).

A few notes to add to our original Camry TRD review: The TRD model is actually the cheapest way to get into a V6-powered Toyota Camry—the ritzier, softer-riding XLE V6 and XSE V6 models cost $2810 and $3360 more, respectively. However, those two also come equipped with a fairly lengthy list of comfort and convenience features that you’ll have to do without in the TRD. If you want stuff like real leather upholstery, heated seats, a wireless charging pad, or an upgraded driver-information display, you’ll have to step up to an XLE or XSE—and lose the TRD’s distinctive performance-themed features.

Still, the TRD’s interior looks quite nice for a relative “budget” model. Toyota’s build quality is apparent, and the faux-leather upholstery looks surprisingly classy (our test took place in cool weather, but we have a feeling the SofTex upholstery might get uncomfortably toasty on hot summer days). The aluminum pedals, red trim accents (including the seat belts, TRD embroidered headrest logos, and contrast stitching) and the upholstery pattern itself add visual appeal and lend an appropriately sporty ambiance.

The TRD cat-back dual exhaust system gives the engine a snarky growl, but the noise settles down in steady-state cruising enough that we didn’t find it annoying. However, anytime you dip into the throttle, the growl is there. Likewise, the Camry TRD’s suspension tuning is obviously stiffer than other Camrys, but we never found it harsh—and the TRD’s handling is laudably crisp for a mainstream midsize sedan. We’d guess that a car shopper who is attracted to a Camry with matte-black 19-inch wheels, “ground-effects” lower-body trim, and a decklid wing will really like the exhaust note and not be put off by the tauter ride.

About those body add-ons—yes, they are a little bit “boy racer,” but honestly that’s part of the charm of this car. Toyota is having fun with the incongruity of a tarted-up Camry. Without resorting to any expensive upgrades (Toyota’s stalwart 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 can scoot along just fine, thank you), Toyota has managed to give its once-milquetoast midsize sedan a surprisingly invigorating—yet still practical—driving personality.

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