2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro: WaveMaker Blue Brings a Splash of Attitude to the Trail
In the rugged, dirt-flinging world of off-road SUVs, few names are as instantly recognizable as the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. For 2026, Toyota doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it adds flair to it. And that flair comes in the form of a vivid new paint job called WaveMaker. This limited-edition color, exclusive to the TRD Pro family, turns heads and ignites a sense of playful adventure. Like saltwater taffy pulled straight from a seaside shop, WaveMaker is bold, sweet, and impossible to ignore. Not only is it a visual statement, but it's also a mark of exclusivity. Offered only on the 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia TRD Pro variants for now, WaveMaker reflects Toyota’s tradition of giving its most hardcore models a unique splash of personality. Since 2015, Toyota’s TRD Pro models have rolled out each year in a new, custom hue. From Inferno to Army Green, from Solar Octane to Mudbath, these limited colors have become cult favorites among off-road enthusiasts and collectors alike. With WaveMaker, Toyota is shifting gears from earthy tones to a vivid, elemental blue inspired by ice, oceans, and the unknown. It’s as if a glacier crashed into a wave under the glow of an alien sun—and then someone painted a 4Runner with it. The result is mesmerizing, and for those lucky enough to grab one, they’ll own a piece of TRD Pro history wrapped in a color that feels at once natural and otherworldly.
A History of TRD Pro Colors—and the Arrival of WaveMaker
Toyota’s tradition of issuing a one-year-only paint for TRD Pro models began in 2015 with the fiery orange Inferno. Since then, it’s become a signature element of the brand’s off-road performance line. These aren’t just eye-catching gimmicks—they symbolize a connection to nature, resilience, and individuality. Last year’s Mudbath was a soft, sandy beige that channeled desert trails and sunbaked rock. Before that came Terra, a burnt-orange nod to red rock formations and southwestern landscapes. And of course, Solar Octane, the 2023 hue, exploded with the intensity of a sun flare, glowing like gasoline catching fire. WaveMaker, however, charts a different course. According to Benjamin Jimenez, General Manager of CALTY’s Ann Arbor design studio, this new shade was inspired by the spirit of uncharted exploration—territories that extend from glacial caverns on Earth to the icy terrain of imagined alien worlds. It’s a conscious departure from the warm tones of past years. In a sense, WaveMaker is the blue period of the TRD Pro color journey—a deep, evocative hue that hints at adventure on the highest peaks, the deepest oceans, or somewhere in between. Designed by CALTY Design Research, Toyota’s West Coast styling arm, the color is more than cosmetic. It’s conceptual. It represents emotion, depth, and velocity. When you see a 4Runner TRD Pro dressed in WaveMaker roll past, it doesn’t just say “off-roader.” It whispers “explorer.”
WaveMaker by the Numbers: What Models Get It and When
The WaveMaker color option is currently exclusive to TRD Pro trims of the 2026 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia. Each of these vehicles represents a different flavor of Toyota's off-road DNA. The 4Runner, arguably the most iconic of the bunch, has been a staple of trails and mountain passes for decades. With its solid rear axle, high ground clearance, and tried-and-true body-on-frame construction, it’s the poster child of Toyota off-roading. In TRD Pro guise, the 4Runner adds FOX internal-bypass shocks, TRD-tuned springs, a thick front skid plate, and aggressive all-terrain tires. It also carries Toyota’s most recognizable off-road branding—blacked-out badges, roof rack, LED fog lights, and that classic “TOYOTA” heritage grille. Add WaveMaker to this already loaded package, and the 4Runner TRD Pro becomes a visual juggernaut. Meanwhile, the Tacoma TRD Pro continues to dominate the midsize pickup segment. It shares the new color along with the Tundra TRD Pro, Toyota’s full-size off-road bruiser, and the Sequoia TRD Pro, the family-sized adventure mobile. All these models will start arriving at dealerships in fall 2025, with no official pricing announced yet. Based on past TRD Pro color upcharges, WaveMaker may cost anywhere from $350 to $475, though this remains unconfirmed. That small fee buys not just a distinctive look but also a deeper connection to Toyota’s off-road design culture.
A Hybrid Heart Under That Blue Skin
The 2026 4Runner TRD Pro doesn’t just get a new look—it gets a jolt of high-tech capability. While Toyota hasn’t unveiled full specs as of this writing, it’s expected that the 4Runner TRD Pro will be powered by a hybrid powertrain, just like its TRD Pro siblings. This move is part of Toyota’s broader push toward electrification, balancing performance with efficiency. In the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro, for example, the i-FORCE MAX hybrid system combined a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor for a whopping 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. If a similar system lands in the 4Runner, it will mark the most powerful version of the SUV to date. This would give drivers both the grunt to scale rocky hills and the range to go deep into the backcountry. Plus, hybrid technology adds benefits like instant torque and regenerative braking, making crawling over obstacles smoother and more intuitive. Don’t expect any compromises when it comes to durability either—Toyota has built these hybrid systems with reliability in mind, making them just as trail-ready as their gasoline predecessors.
Inside the Wave: Cabin Comfort Meets Tactical Function
Step inside the 2026 4Runner TRD Pro and you’ll find an interior built for dirt and comfort in equal measure. Expect durable all-weather floor mats, TRD Pro-stitched SofTex seats, and red contrast accents throughout the cabin. The infotainment system should include Toyota’s latest interface, likely with a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a premium JBL sound system, and a panoramic view monitor to help navigate tricky terrain. Look for thoughtful details too, such as overhead auxiliary switches, grab handles in just the right places, and TRD-branded gear shift knobs and door sills. The interior isn’t luxurious in the traditional sense—it’s functional and focused, yet comfortable enough for long road trips and rugged camping weekends alike. And just like the paint on the outside, the vibe inside speaks to the TRD Pro ethos: go far, get dirty, and have fun doing it.
TRD Pro: More Than a Badge—It’s a Lifestyle
Choosing a 4Runner TRD Pro isn’t just about having a capable SUV. It’s a declaration that your weekends involve dirt, your vacations involve trails, and your idea of fun involves mud-splattered license plates. The TRD Pro lineup is engineered for real adventure—equipped with skid plates, advanced suspension systems, and off-road tech like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. It’s not over-engineered luxury—it’s purpose-built performance. When paired with a standout color like WaveMaker, the 4Runner TRD Pro becomes more than a tool—it becomes an expression. The blue hue might suggest calm, but there’s an undercurrent of wild energy, waiting to be unleashed. Whether you’re tearing through forest switchbacks, traversing desert dunes, or climbing snow-covered hills, the TRD Pro doesn’t just take you there—it makes sure you arrive in style.
Color Trends and the Collectible Factor
Every TRD Pro color becomes a talking point, and eventually, a collector’s item. Owners of Army Green (2020) or Cavalry Blue (2018) can confirm that unique hues add resale value and street (or trail) cred. WaveMaker is poised to be no different. Its electric blue tone, with just a whisper of turquoise, is unique enough to stand out yet classic enough to age gracefully. As with past TRD Pro colors, it may trickle down into non-Pro trims in a year or two—likely showing up on Off-Road or Limited trims for the 2027 model year. But for now, TRD Pro buyers get to enjoy the exclusivity.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Color in a Sea of Sameness
In a world where SUVs have become increasingly similar—rounded, restrained, and road-oriented—the 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro in WaveMaker reminds us what a true off-roader should be. It’s tough, it’s proud, and it’s unapologetically colorful. It doesn’t blend in. It doesn’t whisper. It roars with confidence. And whether you’re climbing up boulders or parked outside your local coffee shop, this SUV demands attention. For Toyota, WaveMaker is more than a color—it’s a brand statement. It shows that the company still believes in bold moves and visceral design. That it’s not afraid to dip into the wild palette of imagination and pull out something vibrant and unexpected. For buyers, it’s a chance to own not just an SUV, but a rolling canvas of power, purpose, and playful swagger. The 2026 4Runner TRD Pro in WaveMaker blue doesn’t just go places—it makes waves.
