The 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5L 6-cyl gets 25 MPG combined. It’s what you pay for the TRD’s V6 power, aggressive styling, and surprisingly decent handling for a regular sedan. This Camry isn’t bought for its fuel efficiency. People buy it for the engine sound, the sporty suspension, and the aggressive styling. The fuel economy is secondary to the driving experience.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates 22 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway for the Camry TRD. The city number reflects urban driving, where the 3.5L V6 works to get the car moving. Expect to see this fluctuate depending on traffic and how you drive; quick acceleration will lower that number. The highway figure is better, holding steady because the automatic transmission settles into a fuel-efficient cruising gear. Even though the Camry TRD is sporty, it doesn’t have a particularly long final drive ratio, so the engine spins faster at higher speeds, affecting fuel consumption.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5L 6-cyl at $1,750. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using the national average fuel price at the time of the EPA’s testing. Your fuel costs will vary depending on driving habits and local fuel prices. If you drive more than 15,000 miles annually, or if you live somewhere with higher gas prices, your fuel cost will be higher.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA estimates provide a baseline, real-world fuel economy will differ. Drivers who accelerate quickly will see worse numbers than the EPA estimates. Those who spend most of their time in city traffic will struggle to reach the 22 MPG city figure. However, careful drivers who accelerate smoothly and maintain consistent highway speeds should be able to meet or exceed the EPA’s estimates.

Achieving the stated MPG requires effort and mindful driving.

How it compares

The Camry TRD’s fuel economy is typical for a V6. A 2020 Honda Accord 2.0T, another sporty midsize sedan, gets a slightly better 26 MPG combined. Even the naturally aspirated 2020 Mazda 6, a driver-focused car, achieves 29 MPG combined. Within the Camry lineup itself, comparing the CAMRY MPG across all years at here reveals the fuel economy difference between the TRD and the hybrid models, which easily exceed 50 MPG combined. Of course, those hybrid models lack the TRD’s power. This comparison highlights the trade-off: performance versus efficiency. The Camry TRD buyer knows this and accepts it for the added performance and sporty character.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Anticipate traffic flow and avoid fast acceleration and braking. The Camry TRD’s V6 is responsive, but every hard acceleration burns extra fuel. Easy acceleration is key to maximizing efficiency, especially in city driving.

Maintain proper tire inflation. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which forces the engine to work harder and use more fuel. Check your tire pressures regularly and ensure they match the recommended settings on the doorjamb sticker. Correct inflation can impact fuel efficiency.

Avoid unnecessary idling. If you’re stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine. Idling uses fuel without covering any distance. Modern cars restart easily, so there’s no need to let the engine run unnecessarily.

Use cruise control on the highway. Cruise control maintains a consistent speed, which helps to optimize fuel efficiency on long drives. Avoid constantly speeding up and slowing down, as this wastes fuel. Set it and forget it, within safe and reasonable parameters.

Lighten your load, and use the correct fuel. Remove any unnecessary items from the trunk or backseat. Extra weight reduces fuel economy. Also, use the correct grade of gasoline as recommended by Toyota, indicated on the fuel door. Using a higher grade than required offers no benefit and may decrease performance.