Our Thoughts Exactly: 2026 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

There have been a lot of talk about a potential off-road-ready Toyota Tundra that will do battle with the Ford F-150 Raptor. Whether it is true or not remains to be seen. Rather, if it is as powerful, capable, and tough as the desert-running benchmark from the Blue Oval’s performance division. Let alone, one that was just resurrected from the Stellantis’ parts bins.  

All along, we thought that the Tundra TRD Pro was “it.” That alone brings up a slew of questions. 

One, chiefly, is whether the 2026 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro needs to have Earth-rotating power to satisfy off road enthusiasts. 

Let’s step back for a moment. Toyota has always had four all-terrain tires down on the trail. They introduced a proper four-wheel drive pickup truck with proper ground clearance for the USA market since the end of the 1970s. That one pickup truck changed the way Americans were utilizing one to go out and play. 

While this type of off-road ready pickup truck was exclusive to the Pickup (also known as the HiLux outside of our country) and the subsequent (#VOTY2024 winning) Tacoma, it was a matter of time that it would also apply the super-rugged, desert running, trail conquering pickup truck treatment to its full-sized offering. 

That is where the Tundra TRD Pro came in. Starting with the previous generation model, the Toyota Racing Development parts bin was raided to add a higher ground clearance, appropriately sized all-terrain tires, decals and specific trim pieces, and FOX shocks. That continues in today’s generation model. 

Now, we have been thrown the key fob to this 2026 Tundra TRD Pro. As a twist, it arrived in a very awesome bright light blue hue called Wave Maker. This color appears exclusively on a few TRD Pro models across the Toyota lineup. 

A color only tells part of the story. But, frankly. It is the story. 

Before we dive into the paint shop at Toyota’s San Antonio assembly plant, we should dive into the truck itself. 

The basics are there – it is a full-size, half-ton pickup truck with a four-door cab called the CrewMax and a 5.5-foot bed. The cab and bed are bolted to a fully boxed steel ladder frame, with a fully independent multilink rear suspension, and a choice of drivelines based on a twin-turbocharged V6s. 

Where the TRD Pro delineates from other trim levels is its bold grille with the Toyota named spelled out, a series of LED lights, an LED light bar embedded into the grille, camo-like wheel well cladding, a set of 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels on all-terrain tires, and TRD Pro stamped on the tailgate. 

Our Wave Maker test vehicle did not stop at these “basics.” A pair of rock rails are installed underneath the cab, and the TRD Performance package that adds a cat-back exhaust with chunky tailpipe tips. 

The main attraction. Is the Wave Maker paint color. Just look at it! If you had one of these, you’ll have no problem finding yours in a parking lot. It makes following one into the woods much easier. That is what makes this color spectacular! 

One question we got asked was whether this was a wrap. It is not. Nor was it a matte color. This is non-metallic, glossy paint job that has turned a few heads in our care.

Stepping inside, you are greeted with a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster. There is a lot of information to absorb, with more available through various screens across the main one. The best part about the 2026 Tundra’s cockpit is the emphasis on tactile controls, including chunky knobs and shifter. 

High on the center stack is a 14-inch center display touchscreen housing all infotainment features. You get wireless smartphone mirroring, as well as other connectivity options. JBL provides the soundtrack through its 12-speaker system. 

The Tundra always provided big seats up front with a massive rear seating area. The Wave Maker paint job comes with a black SofTex upholstery. Front seats are a bit firm, but they do the job. You can fit five adults inside the cab confidently. 

If you’re looking for some comparison with the F-150 Raptor, the i-FORCE MAX driveline offers a few advantages over its High Output EcoBoost V6. The driveline consists of a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6, an electric motor mounted behind it, then a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the 4WDemand part-time four-wheel drive system with a two-speed transfer case. All told, it puts down 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The latter number is greater than the Ford. 

That also plays into the 2026 Tundra TRD Pro capabilities. It yields a payload of 1,580 pounds, while towing up to 11,175 pounds. Let’s be real, these numbers are much better than the Ford’s. 

As it was going through its paces, we appreciate the smooth power delivery of the i-FORCE MAX driveline in the 2026 Tundra TRD Pro. On the highway, it cruised confidently. There was no hesitation when it came to lane changes and on ramps. Of course, we accomplished all of this without a load. 

As we took it off road, we also found how useful the Multi-Terrain Select system, the CRAWL Control and Downhill Assist Control worked on this pickup truck. In other words, the 2026 Tundra TRD Pro can do a lot on the rough stuff, but one should be mindful that it is a large vehicle you are putting on a trail made for a 4Runner. You can still try, though. 

As for fuel economy, we observed an average of 15.9 MPG. 

The independent front and rear suspension systems are enhanced with the addition of FOX shocks and thicker stabilizer bars on the TRD Pro model. The additional inch ride height added more comfort to create a smoother ride quality overall. You can feel this on the highway, as it managed road surfaces that had been challenged by our winters. 

Where it truly comes to life is on the trail. The 2026 Tundra TRD Pro handles rougher sections of road with a high degree of confidence. Handling is much more controlled with some lean and roll on some curves. 

The brakes were fantastic, offering a solid pedal feel and great response to the wheels. The Tundra TRD Pro returned good normal and panic stops. The turning radius was considered average among full-size half-ton pickup truck, as does the on-center feel. That air of confidence worked both on the highway and off road. 

The 2026 Toyota Tundra lineup comes in ten trim levels. Among these ten, you have two cab choices, three bed sizes, and three engines. Pricing for the Tundra lineup starts at $41,620. Our TRD Pro tester came with a sticker price of $79,517. 

In past several years, we have been entertained by off-road ready pickup trucks that are designed for play rather than work. The reality is that a pickup truck consumer wants to do both. When they find out that the capability of their trail mastering rig does not meet expectations, you can expect disappointment. 

However, pickup truck consumers know exactly what they want and how to use their vehicles. Toyota provides that balance of both, especially when it comes to maximum towing capacity. They will also find how the i-FORCE MAX driveline will become an advantage overall in accomplishing what they want to achieve. 

What about this 2026 Tundra TRD Pro? The Wave Maker paint color is certainly a head-turner. Yet, we must remember that it can do a lot more than look good. It is one that is ready to play – and work – anywhere. Including off the highway – as long as it fits on the trail.

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Toyota Motor North America – our opinions are of our own

All photos by Randy Stern