2025 Kenworth Pickup Review: The 1,850 lb-ft Torque Monster

Let’s be honest—modern pickup trucks have become soft. They are full of massage seats, leather-wrapped dashboards, and tailgates that fold into staircases. But what happens when a legendary heavy-haul semi-truck manufacturer decides to crash the party?

You get the 2025 Kenworth Pickup Conversion—a vehicle so massive, so powerful, and so unapologetically industrial that it makes a Ford F-450 look like a toy.

While Kenworth doesn’t mass-produce a consumer pickup on an assembly line next to Corollas, the 2025 custom “Super Pickup” builds based on the W990 and T280 platforms are the talk of the automotive world. This isn’t a truck for grocery runs; it’s a Class 5/6 heavy-duty titan shrunken down (barely) for the street. If you are tired of plastic trucks and want 1,850 lb-ft of torque under your right foot, keep reading.

2025 Kenworth Pickup Specs (Custom Build)

Here is what happens when you put a semi-truck powertrain into a pickup chassis.

FeatureSpecification
EnginePACCAR MX-13 Diesel (12.9 Liter)
Horsepower510 – 605 HP
Torque1,850 lb-ft @ 1,000 RPM
TransmissionAllison 4700 RDS 7-Speed Automatic
Towing Capacity30,000+ lbs (Gooseneck)
Fuel Capacity100 Gallons (Dual Tanks)
Wheels22.5-inch Alcoa Durabright
Drivetrain4×2 or 6×4 Dually

Design: A Skyscraper on Wheels

When you pull up in a 2025 Kenworth Pickup, you don’t just arrive; you block out the sun.

The design retains the iconic “Long Hood” DNA of the W900 and W990 legacy models. It features a massive vertical chrome grille that could double as a gate for a medieval castle. The hood stretches out for miles, housing that massive diesel powerplant.

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Unlike the rounded, aerodynamic curves of a RAM or Chevy, the Kenworth is square-jawed and industrial. The headlights are integrated into flared fenders that are built from heavy-duty composites or steel, not flimsy plastic. The cab is effectively a semi-truck cab (often a “Day Cab” configuration) mated to a custom-fabricated dually bed. The sheer height of the door handles means you don’t climb in—you mount this truck like a horse.

Performance: Earth-Moving Power

Driving a consumer truck is about acceleration; driving the 2025 Kenworth is about dominance.

The Engine

The heart of this beast is typically the PACCAR MX-13 or the Cummins X15. We are talking about engines designed to pull 80,000 lbs across the Rockies without breaking a sweat. In a pickup configuration, this power is almost frightening. You have nearly 2,000 lb-ft of torque available at just 1,000 RPM. You could effectively pull a house off its foundation at idle.

Ride & Handling

I’ve driven everything from Ferraris to Freightliners in my 25 years, and the Kenworth handles exactly how you’d expect: like a locomotive. It uses air-ride suspension (often Hendrickson or Kenworth’s own AG400L), which floats the cab independently of the chassis. It absorbs potholes that would destroy a standard pickup, but don’t expect it to corner like a sports car. The turning radius is wide, and the air brakes are sensitive—stopping power is immense, utilizing engine braking (Jake Brake) that sounds like pure music to a trucker’s ears.

Interior & Comfort: First Class for the Long Haul

You might expect the interior to be spartan, but Kenworth has pivoted to luxury in 2025.

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Since these trucks are built for drivers who spend 14 hours a day in the seat, the comfort level is shocking. The “Diamond VIT” interior packages often found in these builds include:

  • Air-Ride Seats: The seats have their own suspension systems, heating, cooling, and infinite adjustability.
  • The “Wraparound” Dash: A classic Kenworth feature where every gauge and toggle switch (real metal switches, not touchscreens!) is angled toward the driver.
  • Quiet Cabin: Despite the roaring diesel outside, the insulation is commercial-grade. It’s quieter at 70 MPH than most luxury SUVs.

However, don’t look for gimmicks. You won’t find a panoramic sunroof or a tailgate that plays music. This workspace is designed for serious operators.

The Price of Dominance

This level of capability does not come cheap. Since the “2025 Kenworth Pickup” is essentially a commercial Class 6/7 truck converted with a luxury bed and interior upgrades, you are paying for industrial longevity.

  • Base Chassis Price: ~$160,000
  • Conversion & Upfitting: ~$80,000 – $100,000
  • Total Estimated Price: $240,000 – $300,000 USD

It is an investment comparable to a supercar, but unlike a supercar, this truck will likely last for 1,000,000 miles.

Summary

The 2025 Kenworth Pickup isn’t for the average commuter. It is a niche, custom-built titan for the heavy-hauler who thinks a Ford F-450 is “cute.” With a million-mile engine, 1,850 lb-ft of torque, and a road presence that commands instant respect, it is the ultimate status symbol for the towing elite. It’s loud, it’s expensive, and it is absolutely magnificent.

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