Toyota TRD Pro Colors: Honeycomb and Design Process

Toyota has unveiled its exclusive TRD Pro exterior color for the 2027 model year: Honeycomb. This new shade will be available on the Tundra, Sequoia, and Tacoma TRD Pro models, while the 4Runner TRD Pro will feature a distinct color called Hot Honey. The introduction of these unique colors is the result of a detailed, multi-year design process led by Toyota's CALTY design studio.

The Design Process at CALTY

The development of Toyota TRD Pro colors is an extensive process, often beginning up to five years before a color is released. Benjamin Jimenez, General Manager of CALTY in Ann Arbor and Chief Designer for Color, Material, and Finish (CMF), notes that this long-term approach allows designers to anticipate future trends and ensure relevance. Sellene Lee, Chief Designer for CMF at CALTY in Newport Beach, explains that initial inspirations for these colors came from off-roading and extreme sports markets, later evolving to focus on outdoor lifestyle trends.

Designers at CALTY do not arbitrarily select colors; instead, they build compelling narratives supported by market research. This involves monitoring outdoor gear and lifestyle trends at industry trade shows to inform their creative direction. Each Toyota TRD Pro color is offered for only a single model year, allowing Toyota to consistently introduce fresh and surprising options to the market.

From Concept to Reality

Bringing a new TRD Pro color from concept to production involves significant collaboration. CMF teams from CALTY's Newport Beach and Ann Arbor studios propose concepts based on their trend analysis. After initial selection with the planning group, physical paint prototypes are created to test various finishes, such as metallics and pearlescence.

A critical step in the evaluation process is painting half of a vehicle to assess the color at full scale. Jimenez highlights that a color's appearance can change dramatically from a small sample to a large vehicle. The final decision is made only after a full-size vehicle is painted, allowing marketing, planning, and engineering teams to evaluate the color's impact and narrative before its official release.

Impact and Legacy of TRD Pro Colors

The influence of TRD Pro colors often extends beyond the specialized off-road lineup. Successful colors, such as Cement, which originated with TRD Pro, have later been adopted across broader Toyota model ranges. This demonstrates the significant impact these exclusive shades have on the brand's overall aesthetic.

Designers find the real-world reception of these colors particularly rewarding. Jimenez recalls the attention his 2019 Voodoo Blue 4Runner received, noting how strongly people responded to the distinctive shade. Lee points to Mudbath (2025) and Terra (2024) as standout colors that originated directly from their trend research and inspiration.

The meticulous process behind Toyota TRD Pro colors ensures that each year brings a unique and highly anticipated option for enthusiasts. With the 2027 Honeycomb and Hot Honey colors, Toyota continues its tradition of offering distinctive paint choices that resonate with the off-road community and influence broader automotive design trends.