Kenworth Models
Kenworth Models
A complete reference guide to every Kenworth truck model ever manufactured — from the company’s founding in 1923 through current production. Production dates, specifications, and history for every model.
Kenworth Truck Company has been manufacturing heavy duty commercial trucks in the United States since 1923. For over a century Kenworth — a division of PACCAR Inc. — has produced some of the most durable, recognizable, and sought-after trucks in the industry. The W900 has been in continuous production since 1961, making it the longest-running Class 8 truck model in history.
This page covers every Kenworth model produced for the North American market. Use the navigation above to jump to a specific era.
Current Production Models
In ProductionThese models are currently manufactured and available new from Kenworth dealers.
Kenworth T680
Kenworth’s best-selling flagship highway truck. Introduced at the 2012 Mid-America Trucking Show, the T680 features a 2.1-meter aerodynamic cab available in day cab, 40-inch, 52-inch, and 76-inch sleeper configurations. Updated in 2021 as the T680 Next Gen with improved aerodynamics, digital displays, and ADAS features. Powered by the PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines with Cummins X15 optional.
Kenworth T880
Kenworth’s heavy duty vocational flagship, succeeding the T800. Introduced at the 2013 Mid-America Trucking Show, the T880 uses the same 2.1-meter cab as the T680. Built for dump, concrete mixer, refuse, logging, and heavy construction. Named 2015 Truck of the Year by the American Truck Dealers. Available in a wide range of 6×4, 6×6, 8×4, and multi-axle configurations.
Kenworth W990
The modern long-nose conventional, introduced for the 2019 model year. The W990 revives the classic long-hood aesthetic with contemporary engineering. Features a 132-inch BBC — among the longest in current production. Uses the same 2.1-meter cab platform as the T680 and T880. Popular with owner-operators who prefer the traditional big-rig look.
Kenworth W900
The most iconic truck Kenworth ever built — in continuous production since 1961, longer than any other Class 8 model in history. Three primary variants: W900A (1961–1982), W900B (1982–present in limited runs), and W900L (1989–present, extended hood). Still produced today as the W900L. Commands exceptional resale values at all ages and generations.
Kenworth T270 / T370
Kenworth’s medium duty conventional lineup, introduced in 2008 to replace the T300. The T270 (Class 6) serves delivery and utility markets. The T370 (Class 7) handles vocational and refuse applications. Both are powered by PACCAR PX-series engines. Compete directly with Freightliner M2 and International MV in the medium duty segment.
Kenworth K270 / K370
Kenworth’s medium duty cabover (COE) trucks. The K270 (Class 6) and K370 (Class 7) offer shorter overall vehicle length than conventional trucks, making them ideal for urban delivery, refuse, and utility operations where tight turning radius is critical. Both powered by PACCAR PX-series engines.
Kenworth T440 / T470
Kenworth’s Class 7 and Class 8 vocational conventionals. The T440 and T470 replaced the T400 series starting around 2010–2011. Built for refuse, concrete, utility, and demanding vocational applications. Available in set-forward and set-back front axle configurations. Powered by the PACCAR PX-9 engine.
Kenworth T680E
Kenworth’s battery-electric Class 8 truck built for regional haul and drayage operations. Developed to address California CARB regulations and port clean truck requirements. Range varies by battery configuration. Primarily deployed in California, Oregon, and Washington. Also available as the T680 FCEV hydrogen fuel cell variant developed in partnership with Toyota.
Kenworth C500 / C580
Kenworth’s severe duty off-highway lineup for oilfield, mining, and extreme vocational applications. Available in 6×4, 6×6, 8×4, and 8×8 all-wheel drive configurations with high-clearance suspensions for off-road use. The C580 is the current flagship of the severe duty line. Built for the most demanding environments in North America.
Discontinued — 2000s & 2010s
DiscontinuedPopular models that were discontinued between 2000 and 2020. Still widely used and actively purchased in the secondary market.
Kenworth T660
One of Kenworth’s most successful long-haul trucks. The T660 replaced the T600 in 2007 and was the dominant owner-operator highway truck through the early 2010s. Known for comfort, fuel efficiency, and reliability. The Aerodyne sleeper was extremely popular. Discontinued in 2017 when the T680 fully replaced it. Still extremely common in the used market with strong residual values.
Kenworth T700
The most aerodynamic Kenworth of its era when introduced, the T700 replaced the T2000 in 2011. Featured a wider 2.3-meter cab designed for team driving operations. Less common than the T660 and T680, making it somewhat rare in the used market. Discontinued after the 2016 model year when Kenworth consolidated around the T680 platform.
Kenworth T800
The vocational workhorse of Kenworth’s lineup for nearly 30 years. The T800 was used in dump, mixer, logging, and construction applications across North America. Available in dozens of axle configurations. Powered by Caterpillar, Cummins, and Detroit engines across its production run. Succeeded by the T880 in 2013 but T800 trucks remain widely used and actively purchased.
Kenworth T600
The truck that pioneered aerodynamic design in the American Class 8 market. The T600’s sloped hood — a radical departure from flat-faced conventionals — became the template for modern highway semis and was so influential it changed the entire industry. Powered by the Caterpillar 3406, Cummins N14, and Detroit Series 60 engines. Succeeded by the T660 in 2007.
Kenworth T2000
The most aerodynamically advanced Kenworth of its era, featuring a dramatically low-profile hood and cab that reduced drag significantly beyond the T600. Less common than the T600 and T660. Powered by Caterpillar C15 and Cummins ISX engines. A distinctive-looking truck with a loyal following. Succeeded by the T700 in 2011.
Kenworth T300
Kenworth’s first medium duty conventional truck, introduced in 1994–1995. The T300 served construction, utility, and delivery markets in Class 6, 7, and 8 configurations. Available with Caterpillar, Cummins, and PACCAR PX engines. Commonly found in service body, dump, and flatbed configurations. Replaced by the T270/T370 lineup in 2008.
Kenworth T400 / T450
Kenworth’s regional haul and vocational conventional from the late 1980s and 1990s. The T400 (Class 8 day cab) and T450 (vocational) were built for line haul, single axle dump, and specialized applications. Available in set-forward and set-back axle configurations. A common platform for service bodies and crane trucks throughout its production run.
Classic Era — 1960s Through 1990s
ClassicIconic trucks from the golden era of American trucking. Many are still in active service today.
Kenworth W900A
The original W900 that started Kenworth’s most legendary model line. The W900A introduced the long-nose conventional format that has defined Kenworth’s identity for over 60 years. Known as the “narrow hood” in early years before the wider W900B cab arrived. Surviving W900A trucks are considered classic American vehicles and command significant collector interest.
Kenworth W900B
The most popular W900 variant. The W900B introduced a wider cab in 1982, significantly improving driver comfort. It became the benchmark for long-nose conventionals throughout the 1980s and is among the most sought-after used trucks from that era. Powered by Caterpillar, Cummins, and Detroit engines depending on year. One of the most recognizable trucks ever built.
Kenworth W900L
The extended hood version of the W900 — the longest production conventional hood in North America. The W900L is the variant still in production today. Highly sought after by owner-operators and collectors. Features the classic Kenworth long-nose profile at its most dramatic. Strong resale value across all years of production.
Kenworth K100
Kenworth’s legendary cabover, introduced alongside the W900 in 1961. The K100 was one of the most popular cabovers of the 1970s and early 1980s when 65-foot overall length limits made cabovers advantageous. The K100 Aerodyne sleeper — with its distinctive aerodynamic cab extension — became one of the most recognizable trucks of its era. A significant piece of American trucking history.
Kenworth C500 (Classic)
Kenworth’s severe duty off-highway truck, in production in various forms since 1969. Built for Pacific Northwest logging, oilfield, and mining operations in the most demanding conditions. Known for exceptional durability in extreme environments. Available in 6×6 and other multi-axle configurations. The C500 and its successor the C580 are still in production today.
Kenworth W900S
The sloped hood variant of the W900, introduced in 1987. The W900S features a shorter, sloped hood for improved visibility in vocational applications like dump and construction while retaining the classic W900 cab. Less common than the W900B and W900L but still purchased. Used in construction, logging, and specialized vocational markets.
Vintage Models — Pre-1960s
VintageRare and historically significant trucks from Kenworth’s founding era through the 1950s.
Kenworth 521 / 522 / 523
Kenworth’s three-digit conventional models from the postwar era. These trucks formed the core of Kenworth’s commercial lineup through the 1950s and into the 1960s. Many were custom-built to operator specifications — a tradition Kenworth maintained for decades. Extremely rare survivors. Any example in any condition is historically significant.
Kenworth 346 / 356
Kenworth’s postwar conventional trucks from the late 1940s and 1950s. Built during the postwar economic boom when American trucking expanded dramatically. These trucks helped establish Kenworth’s reputation for quality and durability in Pacific Northwest logging and long-haul markets. Rare survivors with significant historical value.
Early Kenworth Models
The earliest trucks produced under the Kenworth name after Edgar Worthington and Harry Kent acquired the Gerlinger Motor Car Works in 1923. These original Kenworth vehicles were custom-built commercial trucks for Pacific Northwest logging and freight operations. Any surviving example from this era is of significant historical importance to American trucking history.
About Kenworth Truck Company
Kenworth Truck Company is headquartered in Kirkland, Washington and has been manufacturing heavy duty trucks in the United States since 1923. Kenworth is a wholly owned subsidiary of PACCAR Inc., a Bellevue, Washington-based Fortune 500 company that also owns Peterbilt Motors Company, DAF Trucks in Europe, and Leyland Trucks in the United Kingdom.
Kenworth trucks are assembled at plants in Renton, Washington and Chillicothe, Ohio. The Chillicothe plant opened in 1974 and is one of the largest and most productive truck manufacturing facilities in North America. PACCAR’s proprietary MX-11 and MX-13 engines that power current Kenworth models are manufactured at PACCAR’s engine plant in Columbus, Mississippi.
Kenworth Model Naming Conventions
Kenworth’s model naming has followed several conventions over its history:
- Early Numeric Models (1920s–1960s) — Three-digit numbers with no consistent system. Models were largely built to custom specification.
- W-Series — Conventional long-nose trucks. The “W” stands for Worthington, one of Kenworth’s founders. The W900 is the defining example.
- K-Series — Cabover (COE — cab over engine) configurations. The K100 and modern K270/K370 use this prefix.
- T-Series — Aerodynamic conventional trucks introduced starting in the late 1970s. Higher numbers generally indicate heavier duty applications.
- C-Series — Severe duty and off-highway configurations. The C500 and C580 are the primary examples.
Kenworth Engine History by Era
- 1920s–1940s — Buda, Cummins, and Hercules gasoline and early diesel engines
- 1950s–1960s — Cummins NH, Detroit Diesel 6-71, and Caterpillar engines
- 1970s — Cummins NTC/NTA, Caterpillar 3406A
- 1980s — Caterpillar 3406B/3406C, Cummins L10/N14, Detroit Diesel Series 60
- 1990s — Caterpillar 3406E/C15, Cummins N14/ISX, Detroit Series 60
- 2000s — Caterpillar C15/C16, Cummins ISX, Detroit Series 60, PACCAR MX introduced
- 2010 onward — PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 primary, Cummins X15 optional. Caterpillar exits on-highway market in 2010.
- 2019 onward — Battery electric (T680E) and hydrogen fuel cell (T680 FCEV) options added
Kenworth Model Timeline
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