2026 Vehicle Guide: Heavy Duty

Freightliner

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) refreshed its flagship over-the-road tractor late last year with the fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia. With a focus on fleet business tools, advanced safety technology, and improved aerodynamics, the Cascadia model joins more than one million versions of the truck sold since 2007.

Available in large and small cab configurations, the Cascadia features  advanced technology focused on fleet business intelligence, including DTNA’s Detroit Connect telematics platform and safety tech. That includes a wide range of the latest advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) offerings from Detroit.

Improved aerodynamics include a redesigned hood, A-pillar deflector, three-piece front wheel well closeouts, hood-to-bumper seals, and new bumper air ducts that direct airflow around the underbody and tires to increase efficiency. Like its predecessors, the new Cascadia offers a complete lineup of engine options, including the Detroit DD13 and DD15 engines; this spring, DTNA said it would offer the Cummins X15N, the industry’s first 15L natural gas engine for heavy-duty on-highway applications, in Cascadias, offering 400 to 605 hp and 1,450 to 2,050 lb.-ft. of torque.

Improved efficiency: Freightliner engineers noted that the newest Cascadia has 1.9% greater fuel efficiency compared to the previous model, thanks to its aerodynamic enhancements.

International

Over the past year, International Motors has worked to diversify its heavy-duty powertrain potential for its line of heavy-duty trucks. The International S13 Integrated Powertrain—available in the International LT, RH, HX, and HV series trucks—was certified for renewable diesels, such as R100, R99, or hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). This cleaner-burning fuel works seamlessly in existing S13 diesel engines while reducing carbon emissions, according to the OEM. 

Unlike biodiesel, R100 is a paraffinic fuel that contains no oxygen compounds. This allows the fuel to have better cold-flow properties than biodiesel. Its high cetane number provides for a cleaner burn, making it a high-quality, low-carbon alternative to conventional diesel.

The over-the-road flagship model, the International LT, is built for long-haul operations, but its five cab configurations make it suitable for agile urban or drayage operations. Bendix Fusion collision mitigation technology provides safety inside and outside the truck. 

Power on the road: The Class 8 trucks with the S13 offer up to 515 hp and 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque. The S13 Integrated Powertrain comprises an engine, T14 transmission, and aftertreatment system—all designed to work in tandem. 

Kenworth

Kenworth Trucks upped its safety and driver assistance offerings for the Kenworth T680, its flagship over-the-road tractor. After adding in cleaner engine options in 2024—including the Cummins X15N, a 15L natural gas engine, and parent company Paccar’s MX-13, a California Air Resources Board-compliant engine—the OEM created three new ADAS packages. 

The three technology options—marketed as ADAS, ADAS Pro, and ADAS Premier—are coupled with the latest Bendix Fusion features, including a new forward-looking camera on the truck that allows drivers to utilize adaptive cruise control (ACC) with Stop and Auto-Go, pedestrian-sensing autonomous emergency braking, and high-beam assist.

The Bendix system also includes autonomous emergency braking systems, highway departure braking, lane departure warnings, and Bendix’s blindspot detection technology. 

The optional ADAS packages can include real-time tire pressure monitoring, lane-keeping assist, torque-assisted steering, and Kenworth’s DigitalVision Mirrors that use HD cameras and in-cab displays.

Automated transmission upgrade: The Paccar TX-12 Pro automated transmission can now be paired with the Paccar MX-13 engine in the T680, T880, and W990. Kenworth says the automated transmission enhances vocational and select off-highway applications.

Mack

Mack Trucks used its 125th year in business to refine its Class 8 over-the-road offerings with a new line of long-haul tractors and renewed focus on regional operations. 

After unveiling its new flagship Mack Pioneer truck in early 2025, designed for long haul, the OEM showed off a redesigned Mack Anthem for regional haul. 

A key differentiator of the new Anthem is its enhanced maneuverability, thanks to a shorter bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) length of 113.5 inches compared with the Pioneer’s 125.5 inches. This 12-inch difference makes the Anthem ideal for navigating tight spaces and urban environments.

The Anthem, available in day cab, 44-inch sleeper, and 64-inch sleeper configurations, features the same interior cab space as the Pioneer, providing drivers with a premium work environment designed to reduce fatigue and enhance satisfaction. 

The premier Pioneer focuses on aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, safety, and driver comfort. It is powered by the Mack MP13 engine, offering up to 455 hp and 1,900 lb.-ft. of torque. 

Connectivity and uptime: The Pioneer is Mack’s most connected truck in history, coming standard with Mack Connect telematics, which the OEM said will help drivers improve behavior and keep fleets ahead of maintenance and software updates. 

Peterbilt

Peterbilt Motors added the Paccar TX-12 Pro automated transmission to its heavy-duty truck lineup for Models 579, 567, and 589. Built on the TX-12 foundation and coupled with the MX-13 engine, the new transmission-engine powertrain improves both off- and on-highway applications, according to the OEM. 

For the vocational Model 567, Peterbilt now offers a new front-frame equipment mounting provision, which the company says provides a robust framework for accessories such as snowplows, outriggers, hose reels, and more. The Model 567 also features a sloped hood design that provides enhanced visibility and a more aerodynamic profile, resulting in improved fuel efficiency.

For long haul, Peterbilt added Bendix Fusion’s Stop and Auto-Go to the Model 579, the OEM’s flagship over-the-road tractor. The technology utilizes a new forward-facing camera and software that includes automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and active cruise control with braking, which automatically resumes driving in traffic. 

Bright lights, big rigs: The Model 589, Peterbilt’s premium work truck, now features LED pod headlights on the distinctive cab. The new lights use 30% less power than halogen while providing maximum light output, including 45-degree left and right low beams. 

Volvo 

Volvo Trucks North America’s (VTNA) all-new Volvo VNR is a Class 8 regional haul tractor built on the same platform as the OEM’s long-haul flagship VNL model that was refreshed in 2024. 

Specifically engineered for urban and regional applications, the new VNR offers a tighter turning radius, improved visibility for city driving, and a more rugged design than its predecessor. While it’s primarily for short-haul operations, the VNR can be configured with a sleeper cab for long haul. 

Just like the larger VNL, the new VNR features a 24V electrical architecture, which the OEM claims enables faster diagnostics and lighter components. The new model is also 7.5% more fuel efficient than its predecessor, thanks to a redesigned cab with improved aerodynamics and a new-generation Volvo D13 VGT engine.

Part of the VNR redesign includes additional Volvo advanced safety, connectivity, maneuverability, and visibility features that the OEM claims will make it ideal for fleets operating in pedestrian areas. 

More safety and driver amenities: The new VNR features Volvo Active Driver Assist, the OEM’s optional dynamic steering assist system, its mirrorless camera monitor system, and more. The tractor also features a short-stop parking heater for day cab models that keeps the cab heated without idling. 

Western Star

Western Star Trucks offers three X-series trucks going into 2026: 47X, 49X, and 57X. The X-series trucks are designed to accommodate a range of engines and transmissions. Each model is equipped with a Detroit Assurance suite of active safety systems and is available in two trim levels: Base and Premium.

The 47X is the shorter configuration in the series, built for applications such as concrete mixers or dump trucks. The truck has a bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) length of 111.6 inches.

The 49X is 10 inches longer than the 47X. It features air filtration efficiency, higher horsepower and torque, and longer sleeper cab options.

The 57X is the highway-focused model of the series and closely resembles its Daimler Truck relative, the Freightliner Cascadia. It has the longest BBC length in the series.

Ready to work: The 47X, powered by a Detroit DD13 engine, is engineered for durability, safety, and performance in extreme conditions, which Daimler says makes it ideal for snow and ice removal.