Table of Contents
Our Verdict
When comparing Western Star vs Kenworth trucks, which is the Better Big Rig? Kenworth is the clear winner. Kenworth offers a wider selection of truck models and configurations to meet diverse needs. Its extensive lineup includes traditional long haul tractors, vocational trucks, medium duty models, and more. This versatility makes Kenworth an ideal choice for fleets running regional delivery, bulk hauling, construction, agriculture, and other applications.
Kenworth trucks are popular for superior driver comfort, amenities, and ergonomics. Its highway tractors showcase spacious, quiet cabs purpose-built for comfort during long stretches on the road. Kenworth gets praises for the luxury feel of interiors unlike to Western Star.
Reliability and durability are additional Kenworth strengths. Its trucks are designed to endure extreme mileage and harsh working conditions while delivering consistent performance. This durability contributes to excellent resale value as well.
When you factor in Kenworth’s expansive dealer network for sales and service across North America, they are hard to beat. Their reputation for quality manufacturing combined with support makes Kenworth the go-to choice for most trucking needs.
While Western Star excels at highly customizable severe duty trucks, Kenworth’s versatility, driver satisfaction, reliability, and accessibility give them the edge for a majority of buyers.
Why Choose Western Star?
Western Star has built a reputation for rugged dependability in heavy duty vocational trucks. Its trucks are designed for excellent performance in construction, mining, logging, oil fields, and other challenging environments. Western Star allows you to tailor trucks to your exact specifications. Its build process and wide range of options support customization for the specific demands of your vocation.
If you require maximum capability and durability for the tough jobs, Western Star is likely the best fit for you. Their vocational engineering and components make them stand out for these use cases.
Who Western Star Trucks Are Best For
Western Star trucks excel if you:
- Handle severe duty and vocational applications
- Operate in off-road driving conditions
- Haul and tow heavy equipment
- Serve as mixer, dump, and specialty trucks
- Provide highly customized builds
>>>MORE: Western Star Trucks Review
Who Western Star Trucks Are Not Right For
Western Star may not be ideal if you:
- Accommodate light/medium duty applications
- Facilitate highway/over-the-road transport
- Meet limited customization requirements
- Satisfy affordability or fuel efficiency needs
Why Choose Kenworth?
With Kenworth, you gain access to a wider range of Class 8 trucks optimized for different applications. Prominent for premium interiors and comfortable rides, Kenworth excels in over-the-road trucking. Kenworth offers lighter models like the T270 and T370 for bulk hauling and regional delivery. Plus heavy haulers like the T680 optimized for cross-country transport. This range means you can likely find a Kenworth well-suited to your needs.
Kenworth trucks gets praises for nice rides and amenities that make life on the road more comfortable. For these reasons, Kenworth remains a top choice for long-haul fleets and owner-operators.
Who Kenworth Trucks Are Best For
Consider Kenworth trucks if you:
- Enable long haul and over-the-road trucking
- Drive on highways and interstates
- Seek diverse model options
- Need spacious sleepers and comfort
- Want to satisfy wide range of trucking needs
Who Kenworth Trucks Are Not Right For
These trucks are the not the right option if you need to:
- Withstand severe off-road/vocational use
- Serve as specialty equipment like dump trucks
- Allow maximized customization
- Suit budget-conscious buyers
Main Differences
This table summarizes some of the major differences that set Western Star and Kenworth trucks apart. Western Star prioritizes vocational versatility, while Kenworth offers diverse highway models. Read on for more details on standout features and other factors that impact your choice.
Kenworth offers more diversity and is suitable for a broader range of applications.
| Western Star | Kenworth | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ideal For |
Vocational/Severe Duty |
Over the road/Long haul |
|
Truck Types Offered |
Conventional |
Conventional, Cabover, Medium Duty |
|
Customization |
Extremely flexible |
Very good |
|
Ride Quality |
Purpose built for tasks |
Smoother highway ride |
|
Avg Base Price |
$140, 000 |
$150, 000 |
|
MPG |
5-6 mpg |
7-8 mpg |
|
Warranty |
2 years, 25,000 miles |
3 year, 350, 000 miles |
Standout Features
Kenworth stands out for its superior driver comfort and amenities.
Western Star
Severe Duty Chassis and Components
Western Star trucks’ designs are for excellent stability and durability across rugged terrain. Features like wide stance chassis, reinforced frames, and robust transmissions allow their trucks to thrive in off-road conditions with heavy loads.
Extreme Customization
Their made-to-order process allows you to tailor the truck to your exact specifications. You can customize the powertrain, axles, fifth wheels, suspensions, frames, and more. This flexibility helps your trucks excel across many vocational applications.
Excellent Maneuverability
Even with robust components, Western Star trucks retain responsive steering and tight turn radiuses. This aids performance in confined spaces at jobsites. The hood design provides excellent forward visibility for the driver.
Top Notch Support
Western Star dealers excel at supporting specialized trucks adapted for severe duty work. Its dealers offer equipment advice, maintenance, and service tailored to your unique Western Star build.
>>>PRO TIPS: Kenworth Trucks Review
Kenworth
Premium Highway Trucks
Kenworth offers diverse truck models optimized for comfortable, efficient long haul capabilities. From its Class 7 medium duties to Class 8 sleepers, Kenworth’s highway trucks deliver a smooth, stable, quiet ride.
Spacious Sleepers
Kenworth trucks are popular for their exceptionally livable truck sleepers. Many models offer stand-up heights and other residential amenities for a home away from home while crossing the country.
Fuel Efficiency
Aerodynamic highway models like the T680 offer enhanced fuel economy. Kenworth trucks average 7-8mpg, giving them a competitive advantage in long haul fleets where fuel costs add up.
Exceptional Driver Comfort
Generous storage, smart ergonomic designs, climate controlled spaces, and noise reduction all contribute to driver comfort in Kenworth cabs. When you spend long days behind the wheel, these details make a big difference.
Pros and Cons
Western Star
Pros
- Offers rugged trucks purpose-built for vocational use
- Has excellent off-road capability and stability
- Use for heavy hauling, dumps, and equipment transportation
- Gives you unmatched customization flexibility
- Experience powerful performance in challenging terrain
- Enjoy excellent visibility and maneuverability
Cons
- Has more limited model selection than Kenworth
- Struggle as base prices tend to run higher
- Lacks capability for over-the-road trucking
- Face lower fuel efficiency and MPG
- Endure less focus on driver amenities/comforts
Kenworth
Pros
- Possess broader range of Class 7 and 8 truck models
- Purchase for long haul trucking and highway use
- Enjoy excellent driver comfort features
- Retains more fuel efficient powertrain options
- Utilize strong dealer support network
- Boast high resale value
Cons
- Has less rugged than Western Star vocational builds
- Be low on extreme customization options
- Lacks optimization for off-road driving
- Have insufficient base warranty
- Requires less ground clearance than Western Star
How to Get Each Truck
Getting a Western Star
Western Star trucks are sold directly through Western Star dealers. They do not sell directly to retail buyers. Use its [dealer locator tool](https://www.westernstar.com/dealers/) link to find dealers in your area.
The buying process entails:
- Consult with a local dealer to discuss needs and options
- Place a factory order for your customized build
- Factor 3-6 months for production
- Pick up your new truck from the dealer upon completion
This made-to-order process ensures you get the exact Western Star configuration suited to your vocation. The extensive customization does extend the buying timeline – so account for this when replacing or expanding your fleet.
>>>GET SMARTER: Kenworth vs Volvo Trucks
Getting a Kenworth
Kenworth utilizes a dealer network for sales, but has a wider availability of inventory trucks. Options for purchasing include:
- Check dealer lots for new/used inventory trucks
- Consult your dealer to customize order a Kenworth build
- Order through their website for at-home delivery
- Buy from used sellers online or at dealers
Kenworth’s range of models and configurations means you can likely find a suitable new or used truck more quickly. But custom ordering allows buyers to tailor a truck to needs like sleeper spaces, powertrains, and luxury features.
Whether buying off the lot or custom ordering, Kenworth’s strong dealer network helps streamline the purchasing experience.
Reviews
Reviews of Western Star trucks praise their customization, durability, off-road handling, strength, and power. Many reviewers point out that they need trucks capable of performing specialized vocational tasks like hauling logging equipment or off-road towing. For these people, the extreme durability and customization Western Star provides are crucial.
Others describe them as “tanks” well suited for severe duty use. Many report logging over 500,000 miles in Western Star trucks while retaining strong performance. Reliability and longevity are common themes in positive reviews.
Some drawbacks include lower fuel efficiency and a steep initial price. Additionally, the made-to-order process requires more patience during the buying stage.
For over-the-road trucking, Kenworth buyers rave about the comforts of trucks like the T680. The quiet, smooth ride and spacious sleeper compartments enhance driver experiences spent living on the road. Some praise the brand for fine-tuned engineering that holds up mile after mile.
Those focused on fuel costs and efficiency appreciate Kenworth’s aerodynamic profiles and powertrain options. Their highway-oriented models excel at steady cruising and load handling across interstates and flat terrain.
Negative feedback is rare, but some reviews cite reliability problems with newer model years. Many note it comes at a premium cost, but consider Kenworth a worthwhile investment for long hauls. Drivers upgrading from other brands remarked on how much nicer Kenworth cabs are.
Check each’s websites for more reviews; however, do not depend on only this means of getting information.
Competitors
Freightliner
Freightliner trucks offer similar rugged vocational engineering. Their severe service models compete directly as an alternative to Western Star.
Peterbilt
Like Western Star, Peterbilt trucks are highly customizable for vocational applications. Their Model 579 is a top competitor.
Mack
Mack’s Granite model and others deliver rugged performance, with a strong focus on construction and heavy hauling trucks.
Volvo
Volvo Trucks North America is a frequent alternative for comfortable, efficient transport trucks and sleepers.
All of these competitor brands have their own pros and cons. Assess your needs to determine if alternatives like Freightliner or Volvo may meet your requirements. But for most buyers, Western Star and Kenworth remain top contenders in their respective vocational and over-the-road categories.
Pro Tips
- Take time to test drive Western Star and Kenworth trucks before deciding. Get behind the wheel to experience visibility, handling, noise, and the overall “feel” of the truck.
- Evaluate your typical routes, mileage, terrain, and load weights. This helps determine ideal specs like powertrains, axle configurations, fifth wheels, and suspensions.
- Consult experienced drivers in your industry to get their firsthand perspectives on preferences between brands.
- Crunch the numbers on fuel efficiency. The MPG difference of 1-2 between brands adds up enormously for high mileage fleets. But may matter less for localized vocational use.
- Weigh after-purchase factors like dealer support networks, maintenance, and repair accessibility in your region. Availability of parts impacts downtime.
- Look at used inventory and financing options, not just new truck pricing. A lightly used truck can offer value, while financing deals help manage acquisition costs.
Recap
In summary, here are some key facts to help differentiate Western Star and Kenworth:
Western Star trucks excel at highly customizable vocational trucks for extreme job sites. Their severe duty engineering ensures durability in off-road driving, heavy loads, and challenging terrain. While Kenworth offers a wide selection of premium trucks optimized for long hauls. Their strengths include driver comforts, fuel efficiency, and diverse configurations suited to over-the-road trucking.
Prices, MPG, warranty terms, and ideal uses differ. Evaluate your needs to decide if rugged vocational performance or extended highway comfort better align with your requirements. Both brands are known for reliability, longevity, and resale value. Focus on the customized specs, intended use, dealer network, and pricing that matter most for your business.
Whether you choose Western Star or Kenworth, following the recommendations in this guide will lead you to a truck well-suited to your specific vocation. Both manufacturers build top-tier trucks that stand out for quality construction, durability, and driver satisfaction. By clearly evaluating your needs, you can confidently invest for the long haul.
