This week I'm in an off-roader that really needs no introduction - and one most certainly destined for high resale value. It's the 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. And I don't just say that because it's a Toyota, and a 4Runner, (and what Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds wrote here), but because of it's color. An exclusive for 2026 only TRD Pro blue hue that goes by the name Wave Maker. You'll be hard-pressed to find one this late in the model-year, given that exclusive TRD Pro colors are always in demand. Speaking of which, Honeycomb is the new TRD Pro exclusive hue for 2027, so get your order in early if you're interested.
Exterior
Wave Maker blue is absolutely the headliner when it comes to the exterior. My test vehicle also has an option that gives the Heritage Grille the Wake Maker treatment, which I think is pretty cool. A 20-inch LED light bar is also integrated into the grille.
Other standard TRD Pro features include a black hood scoop, 33-inch Toyo tires on TRD 18-inch black alloy wheels, RIGID Industries LED fog lamps and black roof rails. In back, the TRD Pro sports a TRD performance air intake and exhaust and a TRD-stamped hands free power liftgate with a power rear window.
Exterior options on my test model also include the paint hue, rear recovery hook, rear skid plate, front red tow hooks upgrade, and frame-mounted rock rails.
Performance
The 4-wheel drive 4Runner rides on a truck-based platform shared with Tundra, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, and Tacoma. The TRD PRO backs up its brawny looks with Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid engine delivering 326-horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It's mated to an 8-speed automatic.
An electronic locking rear differential is standard on TRD Pro. For 2026, a Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism (SDM) is standard on TRD Pro models. Toyota says SDM improves off-road capability by allowing drivers to increase suspension articulation at the push of a button.
Multi-Terrain Monitor and Crawl Control are standard as is an underbody TRD skid plate for protection, red TRD-tuned FOX QS3 adjustable shocks, accessible recovery points and an onboard air compressor.
Interior
A nice black interior designed to be both comfortable and functional features SofTex seats with technical-camo inserts and TRD Pro red accents.
Large heated and ventilated front seats are quite comfy. The driver's seat is 8-way power, the passenger's 4-way. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with great graphics is standard on all i-FORCE MAX models.
TRD Pro features include red-accented Toyota lettering on the passenger side of the dash, TRD Pro badging on the door panels, a red TRD Pro push-button start and TRD Pro red-striped leather-wrapped shift knob.
The TRD Pro enjoys the lineup's larger 14-inch multimedia screen with a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system that has a portable FLEX speaker. The 2026 (and for that matter 2027) models don't have Toyota's new Arene-based multimedia system.
The second row has its ups and downs. Let's start with getting in. The doors are small and don't open very wide, so take it from me, watch your knees. Once you're in, you'll notice less headroom than up front, but leg room is ok. The reclining seats themselves are comfortable and roomy. But a high center console may not make for a comfortable armrest.
You'll definitely love all the cargo space since the TRD Pro doesn't have a third row.
Standard features include dual-zone climate, heated, leather-trimmed steering wheel, digital rearview mirror, sunroof, wireless charging, five USB-C ports and rewired DC power auxiliary switches.
Safety
The 2026 4Runner lineup is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 that includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Proactive Driving Assist. Other standard safety includes Blind spot Monitor w/ Rear Cross Traffic and Trailer Reverse Assist.
Ride and Drive
The 4Runner delivers a nice, comfortable truck-based ride that's easy to like. Power is great with the iMAX Hybrid engine. The ride is comfortable for sure - but you'll definitely get a more rugged experience, and more noise, in the TRD Pro grade. It doesn't provide as comfortable of an on-road ride as you'll get with the Limited with its Adaptive Variable Suspension. But for off-road enthusiasts who plan to hit the trail, this is the grade to get. Of three drive modes, Sport provides tighter steering response and louder exhaust note. And did I mention TRD Pro, like Trailhunter, has 10.1 inches of ground clearance? Great for the trail and also on-road visibility.
Options What You'll Pay
Options on my test vehicle include Digital Key ($275), Wave Maker ($695), Compressor On-Board Cargo Area ($1,475), rear recovery hook $135), Skid Plate - Rear Differential Steel ($425,) tow hooks upgrade front-red ($180), frame-mounted rock rails ($990), accessory ready storage container ($55), towing-ball mount ($65), bridge overlays front "Toyota" Wave Maker ($189). This brings the MSRP as equipped to $74,479.
Verdict
The 4Runner's long-standing recipe for success continues for 2026 in a new hue that unfortunately it's too late to get.
2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD PRO
- What I liked most: Wave Maker exterior and grille overlay, power, overall comfort of the interior and ride.
- What I would change: I'd love retractable running boards since there's so much ground clearance, but I get why they might not survive the trail.
- MSRP: Base $68,400. As equipped $74,479.
- Fuel Economy: 23 City/24 Highway/23 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 114 miles.
- Official Color: Wave Maker ($695).
- Ground Clearance: 10.1 Inches
- Weight 5,455 pounds/6,505 GVWR pounds.
- Length-Width-Height: 194.9” long/79.9” wide/74” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 19 gallons with the filler on the driver’s side.
- Towing Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Full-sized spare.
- Final Assembly Point: Tahara, Achi, Japan.
- 2026 4Runner TRD PRO in a few words: The Toyota 4Runner's reign at the top of the off-roading world gets more colorful and definitely brighter!
- Warranty: 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty with roadside assistance, hybrid system is covered for 96 months/100,000 miles, hybrid battery is 120 months/150,000 miles and you get 2-years of free maintenance.
- Manufacturer’s website: Toyota
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