Freightliner Cascadia

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The best-selling Class 8 truck in North America by a wide margin, and the benchmark everything else is measured against on fuel. The integrated Detroit drivetrain, with the DD15 or DD13 and the DT12 automated transmission, is the reason.

Fuel economy

7.2-9 mpg

loaded, at highway speed

Fuel per mile

$0.500

at $4.049 a gallon

Tractor weight

17,000-19,500

pounds, day cab to large sleeper

Used asking

$55k-$135k

condition moves this more than the model

What the fuel gap costs

Against the most efficient tractor in this reference, over 120,000 miles at this week’s diesel price.

$1,445 a year

Known issues

Aftertreatment one-box sensors and DEF hardware, and on early builds of this generation some electrical and Detroit Assurance camera faults.

Verdict

The default choice, and defaults are usually defaults for a reason. If fuel is your biggest line and you have no strong feelings about badges, start here and make something else prove it is better.