Kenworth’s recently introduced Model T700 has been awarded the prestigious American Truck Dealers’ (ATD) Truck of the Year for 2011 in the heavy category. Hino pulled off a double, winning the medium category for the second year running – the company has won both times this category has been included in the contest.

Truck of the Year is in its third year in the heavy-duty category. The first-time winner in 2009 was the International LoneStar. Last year’s Truck of the Year in the heavy category was the Peterbilt Model 384. This year’s selection of Kenworth’s Model T700 acknowledges the enormous strides made in the re-engineering of the Kenworth wide-cab aerodynamic premium in Class 8. The medium category was added in 2010 when Hino won with its Model 268.

Truck of the Year 2011 saw a significant increase in entries, most in the medium-duty category. In heavy-duty, the competition was between the Kenworth T700, International’s ProStar+ and Peterbilt’s lightweight model 386. In the medium segment, Hino’s winning model 338 was up against the Ford F650, Isuzu NPR Eco-Max, International TerraStar, Kenworth T370 4×4 and Peterbilt model 337 4×4.

Truck of the Year is ATD’s recognition of the most significant new truck introductions in the previous calendar year. Recipients must have introduced new trucks or significant upgrades to qualify. In the case of the Kenworth T700, the cab structure is similar to the T2000 it replaces, but with all-new aerodynamics and styling and a completely new interior that makes it in reality an all-new truck. Hino’s 338 is an all-new medium-duty at the top end of the medium weight range, bringing the cab comfort refinements that made the model 268 such a strong contender last year to Class 6 and 7.

The ATD-sponsored contest is judged by a panel of long-term trucking journalists drawn from the broadest cross section of trucking publications.

The judging
Entries were nominated by their respective manufacturers and are presented for a final review at a closed ride-and-drive prior to the ATD Annual Convention announcement. This year the review was in early March during the NTEA Work Truck week in Indianapolis, where all the trucks were lined up at the Mannheim Auto Auction ground in the greater southeast Indianapolis area.

Judges had the option of driving on the extensive local parking lot or taking the trucks onto local roads and freeways to remind themselves of the attributes of the different contenders for the competition. Most had been the subject of detailed individual press launches in the previous months and many had been offered to the press for individual evaluation. I can report that all the heavies had come under close scrutiny by me in the previous 12 months and the Kenworth T700 had impressed enormously, though so too had the Peterbilt lightweight 386 and the International ProStar+. On the medium side, I had much less opportunity to experience the different entries, so it is all the more to the credit of Hino that, in trucks that see non-professional drivers at the wheel, it should stand out not only with me, but the other judges, too.

Criteria
The trucks are judged from the basis of what they offer to the owner, the maintainer and the driver. It is very subjective, with each judge deciding on the claims made during the earlier introductions and driving impressions back then, as well as on the refresher ride-and-drive day. The judges, who have between them many, many years of accumulated knowledge and experience of their segment of the industry, rank the claims and the actual on-road performance of the new equipment. Inevitably, the end result is a little skewed in favor of those truck manufacturers who field the most attractive or best-prepared equipment. Happily, most chose not only to field the best they could offer, but also knowledgeable sales staff who could point out the features and benefits that made their truck the “best” in its segment.

Heavy contestants
International ProStar+: This is a truck I really like. I have watched its penetration for the last several years and have been gratified to see its ready acceptance by fleets. It has a lot to offer the driver and the owner in terms of comfort, driveability and low cost of ownership and has made serious inroads on fleets since its introduction. It is a treat to drive and it impressed as a quiet, capable truck that has the potential to be the best in its class. Cab design is modern and it offers driver accommodation among the best. And nobody could question the ProStar’s attractive appearance on the highway, a big contribution to the image of trucking.

Kenworth T700 (Division Winner): Forget about the T2000. The T700 is the best rework ever. Yes, the underpinnings may be the same, but the end result is totally new. It has family appearance with many styling cues relating to other mainstream Kenworth products and the driving experience is pure Kenworth, too. Look, though, at all the changes in the new model. A truly welcoming, enveloping driver environment makes this the perfect driving space and the wide cab is appealing to team drivers. This is the place to appeal to the career-change professionals who want to switch to trucking, perfect candidates for fleet recruiters. The new dash brings the T700 in line with other over-the-road Kenworths in terms of the Lexus look and feel, and the information available on the new driver display makes life easy. Then park it and walk away. Look back and feel proud. Drivers sign up here.

Peterbilt Model 368: The model 386 combines all the driver comforts that make the brand such a powerhouse in the small-fleet environment but increasingly make it a very viable choice in big fleet deals, too. Lightweight is becoming more and more important in the truckload segment as loads become denser and emissions solutions add weight. The PACCAR MX engine is a major weight saver and based on not just this ride-and-drive, it’s an excellent performer that would seem to offer major maintenance savings. And one should never underestimate the strong attraction the Peterbilt brand has in driver recruitment.

Medium contestants
Ford F650: The performance from the Ford diesel was more than adequate for the unloaded truck. The cab was a model of crew-cab comfort with trim that would not be out of place in a personal-use pickup. For a truck that has had more than a few years since its introduction, the F650 still maintains a fresh feel from the ongoing updates that this chassis sees. Next year Ford will likely bring the gasoline powered F650, due later this year, and it will be a strong contender, I am sure.

Hino model 338 (Division Winner): Hino puts all the pieces together so well. It is uncannily quiet, so easy to drive and the content is extraordinary. Visibility—so essential in a vocational, urban vehicle—is first class and any driver accustomed to no more than a passenger car can handle this truck with ease. Add to this the reliability and durability of Toyota products backed by the HinoWatch 24/7/365 assistance, and you have a work-truck that inspires confidence. Perhaps that’s no more than you get with any other work truck, but it bundles so well with all the other Hino attributes that, for me, it added up to number one in the Medium Truck of the Year category—a conclusion obviously shared by the other judges.

International TerraStar: This is an interesting new arrival, combining the chassis from the low cab-forward shared with Ford, and the ProStar cab, suitably modified and lowered on the frame. As such it is a very generous workspace on a Class 4 vehicle that will likely give the the competition a run for their money. This was everyone’s first opportunity to drive the vehicle and it did not disappoint, with great performance from the MaxxForce 7 V8 diesel.

Isuzu NPR EcoMax: The EcoMax featured the sleek aerodynamic body from Supreme that was introduced at the Work Truck Show and it was a treat to see it in the Truck of the Year ride-and-drive. It is indeed a worthy contender for the EcoMax chassis, which has been in the market for some time, offering a relatively small 3-liter, 150 HP engine to achieve excellent fuel economy. The new truck is aided by the AeroBody to make it a very good intercity delivery express that nevertheless delivers good fuel economy.

Kenworth model T370: The Kenworth front drive axles are unique and much of the engineering philosophy is, too. It is designed for the harsh on- and off-highway environment of the utility industries. PACCAR integrity was evident in the cab, with absolutely no rattle or squeak. The T370 is a truck that offers potential years of service with a minimum of maintenance and high reliability and durability.

Peterbilt model 337: The Peterbilt 337 4×4 was fully equipped with a utility body and man-lift, smoothing the ride as much as possible. The level of appointment in this strictly working truck was high and the integrity of the cab and the freedom from rattles and squeaks impressed enormously. Equally good was the visibility and the cab suits the environment well. Altogether an excellent truck, well-suited to its environment and likely a durable and reliable vehicle any fleet would be well to specify.