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Independent editorial research — not affiliated with Peterbilt. Disclaimer · Editorial Policy Updated March 2026 — verify all pricing and specs at manufacturer website
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Class 6–8 Trucks · 2026Denton, TXEst. 1939Active
AmericanCarBrands.com — Full Brand Guide · March 2026

PETERBILT

Class Tells. Founded 1939 in Denton, Texas by T.A. Peterman. Peterbilt is PACCAR's other major commercial truck brand — sibling to Kenworth. Known for iconic chrome designs, premium driver comfort, and the PACCAR MX-13 engine. The Model 579 and 389 are American trucking icons.

~$33B
PACCAR Revenue FY2024
#2–3
US Class 8 Market Share
1939
Year Founded
PACCAR
Parent Company
2026 Model Lineup
579 ~$145,000–$165,000 389 Custom pricing 567 ~$140,000+ 579EV ~$250,000+ 536 ~$55,000–$75,000
Founded1939
HQDenton, Texas
ParentPACCAR Inc.
StockNASDAQ: PCAR
01

Model Lineup 2026

All current Peterbilt models available in the United States as of March 2026. Pricing reflects base MSRP before destination, taxes, and fees. Verify current pricing at the manufacturer website.

Prices exclude destination (~$1,500–$2,000), taxes & fees. Verify at manufacturer website.
Aerodynamic Class 8 Semi
579
From ~$145,000–$165,000
Most fuel-efficient Peterbilt · PACCAR MX-13
Classic Long-Nose Class 8
389
From Custom pricing
Iconic chrome design · show trucks & OTR
Vocational Class 8
567
From ~$140,000+
Construction, dump, mixer applications
Battery-Electric Class 8
579EV
From ~$250,000+
300+ mi range projection · zero-emission
Medium-Duty (Class 6–7)
536
From ~$55,000–$75,000
Urban & regional delivery
02

Brand Overview

Class Tells. Founded 1939 in Denton, Texas by T.A. Peterman, a timber industry entrepreneur who needed reliable logging trucks. Peterbilt is a wholly owned subsidiary of PACCAR Inc., sharing the same PACCAR MX engines, transmissions, and axles as sister brand Kenworth — but with distinct cab designs and brand positioning.

Parent / Ownership: PACCAR Inc. (NASDAQ: PCAR). HQ: Denton, Texas. Manufacturing: Denton, TX (Class 8); Ste-Thérèse, Quebec (medium-duty). Peterbilt is culturally associated with the South and Southeast US trucking industry, while Kenworth has stronger presence in the Pacific Northwest.

The Peterbilt 389 — with its traditional long-hood design and extensive chrome options — is an owner-operator icon and show truck staple. The 579 is the aerodynamic workhorse of modern OTR fleets. The 579EV is in active fleet deployment with several major carriers.

~$33B
PACCAR Revenue FY2024
#2–3
US Class 8 Share
510 hp
579 MX-13 Max
1939
Founded
Warranty Summary

579/389/567 engine: 2 years / unlimited miles standard PACCAR warranty. 579EV battery: verify at peterbilt.com. Extended warranty programs available.

03

Reliability

Peterbilt and PACCAR MX engines share the same excellent reputation as sister brand Kenworth — identical powertrains. The 579 with PACCAR MX-13 is among the top-rated Class 8 trucks in owner-operator satisfaction surveys. The 389 with its iconic hood is preferred by owner-operators for aesthetics and driver comfort. Long-term reliability is proven — many examples exceed 1 million miles with proper maintenance.

Model / YearCR ReliabilityPowertrainBuild QualityPrimary Concerns
579 PACCAR MX-13 Strong Strong Identical to Kenworth T680 powertrain
389 (OTR/vocational) Strong Strong Long-proven platform — durable
567 (vocational) Strong Strong Proven in demanding applications
579EV Electric Early data Early data Fleet deployment ongoing
CR = Consumer Reports predicted reliability. Sources: Consumer Reports, J.D. Power VDS. Always verify with current data at consumerreports.org and jdpower.com before purchasing.
Research Before Buying

Consult Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, NHTSA safety ratings, and IIHS for the specific model year you are considering.

04

Recalls

NHTSA · 2024 · Peterbilt 579
Air Brake System — Peterbilt 579
Certain Peterbilt 579 trucks. Air brake system valve may not function correctly at low temperatures. Physical inspection and repair required.
Physical Repair Required
Always Verify Your VIN

Check all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls using your 17-digit VIN. New recalls are issued regularly — always verify before purchasing a used vehicle.

05

Recent Updates

2026
579EV — 300+ Mile Range Spec
Peterbilt 579EV with expanded battery option targets 300+ mile range for regional freight. Multiple carrier fleets expanding deployment in 2026.
2025
389 Limited Edition — 85th Anniversary
Peterbilt produced a limited-edition 389 for its 85th anniversary with special chrome appointments and interior options. Collector interest is high.
2025
579 2025 — Predictive Cruise Control
2025 Peterbilt 579 adds Predictive Cruise Control using GPS topography data to optimize gear selection and fuel economy on rolling terrain.
2024
SmartLINQ Telematics — Enhanced
Updated SmartLINQ remote diagnostics system adds predictive component replacement recommendations and real-time fuel efficiency coaching.
06

Peterbilt vs. Competitors

Editorial comparison as of March 2026. Data from manufacturer specifications, EPA fueleconomy.gov, and third-party test sources. Verify all figures at manufacturer websites before purchasing.

Brand / VehicleBase PriceRange / Fuel0-60Max TowChargingReliability
Peterbilt 579 ~$145–165K 6–7 mpg diesel 510 hp MX-13 80,000 lb GVW Diesel Strong
Kenworth T680 ~$145–165K 6–7 mpg diesel 510 hp MX-13 80,000 lb GVW Diesel Strong
Freightliner Cascadia ~$140–165K 6–7 mpg diesel 505 hp DD15 80,000 lb GVW Diesel Strong
Mack Anthem ~$140–160K 6–7 mpg diesel 505 hp MP8 80,000 lb GVW Diesel Strong
Peterbilt 579EV ~$250K+ Electric ~375 kW equiv. 80,000 lb GVW Electric Early data
*Prices, specs, and range from manufacturer or EPA data March 2026. Verify at manufacturer website. Reliability ratings from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power — verify current ratings before purchasing.
07

Buying Tips 2026

The Peterbilt 579 with MX-13 and PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission is spec-for-spec identical to the Kenworth T680 — choose based on your dealer relationship and regional service support. The 389 demands a premium for its iconic design; resale values are strong for clean examples. The 579EV requires charging infrastructure planning — calculate route carefully before committing. SmartLINQ telematics is worth including for fleet applications.

Before You Buy — Checklist

1. Verify current pricing at manufacturer website (prices change frequently). 2. Check all open NHTSA recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls using the VIN. 3. Confirm any EV/PHEV tax credit eligibility at fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.do. 4. Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent certified shop for used vehicles. 5. Compare Consumer Reports and J.D. Power data for your specific model year.

08

FAQ

What is the difference between Peterbilt and Kenworth?
Peterbilt and Kenworth are both wholly owned by PACCAR Inc. and share the same PACCAR MX engines, transmissions, and axles. The differences are in exterior cab design, brand culture, and regional dealer networks. Peterbilt is historically stronger in the South, Southwest, and Southeast; Kenworth in the Pacific Northwest. Both produce trucks of identical mechanical quality.
What is the Peterbilt 389?
The Peterbilt 389 is the modern version of Peterbilt's iconic long-hood conventional cab design, tracing its heritage to the 1950s. It features an extended aluminum hood with chrome exterior options, creating the classic "big rig" silhouette. It is used in OTR freight, vocational hauling, and show trucks. Each 389 is largely custom-ordered — lead times can be 6+ months for specific configurations.
What is the Peterbilt 579EV?
The 579EV is Peterbilt's battery-electric Class 8 semi-truck. It uses a lithium-ion battery system providing up to 150–300 miles of range (depending on battery configuration). It is designed for regional freight and urban distribution routes where predictable charging is available. DC fast charging via CCS at up to 150 kW. Starting price approximately $250,000+.
Is the PACCAR MX-13 a good engine?
The PACCAR MX-13 (510 hp, 1,850 lb-ft) is widely regarded as one of the most fuel-efficient and reliable Class 8 diesel engines in production. It is used in both Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks. PACCAR builds the MX engines at its Columbus, Mississippi plant. Fleet operators consistently rate MX-13-equipped trucks highly for fuel economy and reliability in long-term studies.
What does "Class Tells" mean for Peterbilt?
Class Tells is Peterbilt's brand slogan, emphasizing the premium quality and driver-focused design philosophy. It refers to the brand's reputation for above-average fit, finish, and driver comfort relative to competitors. Peterbilt trucks typically command slightly higher resale values than some competitors, which Peterbilt attributes to build quality and brand reputation.
Sources
  • Peterbilt specs — peterbilt.com (March 2026)
  • PACCAR FY2024 Annual Report — paccar.com/investors
  • NHTSA recall data — nhtsa.gov/recalls

AmericanCarBrands.com is independent editorial research — not affiliated with Peterbilt or its parent company. All brand names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Pricing, specs, and information as of March 2026 — verify at manufacturer website before purchasing.