Toyota's bright-blue Sequoia SUV makes some waves

This review first appeared in the May 2026 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

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Sacramento, California -- Toyota calls it Wave Maker.

It's the exterior paint color on the tested 2026 Toyota Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro Hybrid, a three-row sport-utility vehicle that demands attention.

And it does indeed make waves.

The color has been described as a vibrant blue-teal, but that doesn't really cut it.  Super blue works. Teal on steroids is closer to the truth.

Take it anywhere and heads snap around, eyes fixed on the vivid beauty. It's safe to say that you'll never have trouble finding it in a crowded parking lot, even if it's parked a quarter mile away.

Bottom line: I liked it.  And yeah, I liked the attention it drew.

But color is just the beginning.

The tester was a beast ... a bicep bulging, big-shouldered marvel with massive tires capable of taming seemingly any off-road terrain.

And it had the guts to back it up.

Power is provided by a 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V-6 rated at 437 horsepower and a monster 583 foot-pounds of torque.  It rumbles upon start-up, and on the go it gobbles up space like a ravenous Pac-Man.

I can't imagine anything in the off-road world slowing it down.  A mountain, maybe.

For special terrain challenges, there's technology to help out. In addition to multi-terrain settings, the Crawl Control feature functions as a low-speed, off-road cruise control -- maintaining speed while the driver concentrates on steering.

Descent control is also part of the standard package.

The inside of the tester was appropriately macho, with rugged, black floor mats featuring raised, hard-rubber patterns -- sort of a mini-Grand Canyon of floor protection.

But for all its get-outta-my-way machismo, the tester was likewise equipped with civilized perks -- massaging seats and a sophisticated multimedia system among them.

Power folding rear seats are a plus, creating a sizable cargo-carrying space or comfort for three.

Fuel mileage comes in a 19 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

And the bottom line on the tester was a hefty $88,196. Pricey, but given the package, a fair number.

All in all, this is an off-road vehicle of your dreams with a paint job that draws a crowd.

A wave maker to be sure.