What’re The Differences Between Freightliner And Western Star Semi Trucks?

Western Star and Freightliner are owned by Daimler Trucks North America, and both of these brands are powered by diesel engines, which are ideal for long-haul trucking. Where they differ is in their specific applications, the type of users they are aimed at, and some variations in their design approaches.

Freightliner semi trucks are focused on the demands of long-haul transportation and are often found in large trucking fleets. This could have a lot to do with why Freightliner is the top dog in Class 8 truck sales, claiming 35.2% of all sales in 2025, with a total of 73,360 trucks sold out of a yearly total of 208,155. By comparison, Western Star, which places more emphasis on the mining, logging, and construction markets, finished 2025 with a grand total of 11,496 Class 8 trucks, giving it a 5.5% share of the pie. Freightliner sells many more units than Western Star does.

Another major difference between Freightliner and Western Star semi trucks is in the way they are built. Western Star trucks are ruggedly built for the rigors of their intended markets, which requires firmer, heavy-duty suspensions as well as reinforced frame structures. This compares to what is important for a Freightliner truck that will be used for hauling freight long distances — good fuel economy, overall efficiency, and low cost of ownership matter most to the fleet operators who run Freightliners.

The differences between Freightliner and Western Star semi trucks extend to the engines that power them. Freightliners are built for cruising the highways with minimal fuel consumption, so fuel-sipping engines like the Detroit DD13 and DD15 are commonly used. For to the specific needs of the operators of Western Star trucks, something more brawny like the Detroit 57X and 49X have the required output, measured in both higher horsepower and torque, to do the job on the logging trail or while hauling ore from the mine.

Freightliner trucks tend to retain more value, largely due to an extensive parts and service network, making it easy to get your Freightliner truck fixed wherever you roam. Western Star trucks also hold their value well — they are appreciated by those who use them for their intended missions, where their ultimate strength and on-the-job durability are highly valued. 

For over-the-road freight hauling, the Freightliner trucks are the undisputed champions in terms of sales. Freightliner semi trucks have been designed to provide the aerodynamic performance and overall fuel efficiency that both fleets and individual owner-operators can appreciate in their day-to-day operations. Western Star semi trucks, made in two U.S. plants, are better suited to the heavy-duty demands of construction, mining, and logging, in which their more rugged structures and more powerful engines make them ideally suited for these missions.