Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM 1850 Industrial Pkwy
(770) 750-5276
All articlesEngines

Top Truck Engines Explained: X15, DD15, MX-13 and CAT

May 9, 2026 8 min read

Cummins, Detroit, PACCAR, or a legendary CAT? A plain-English guide to the engines under the hoods in our inventory.

The engine defines a truck’s character — its power, fuel economy, service costs, and resale. Here’s a quick guide to the ones you’ll see most.

Cummins X15

The industry workhorse. Huge parts and service network, strong power, and a reputation for going the distance. Available in performance and efficiency tunes.

Detroit DD15

The default in Freightliner Cascadias. Excellent fuel economy paired with the DT12 automated transmission, and a mature aftertreatment system on newer years.

PACCAR MX-13

Found in Kenworth and Peterbilt. Lighter than some rivals, efficient, and increasingly popular with fleets running the T680 and 579.

The legendary CATs (C15 / 3406E / 6NZ)

CAT stopped building on-highway engines years ago, which is exactly why pre-emissions CATs command a premium. Mechanically simple, tunable, and beloved by owner-operators. A clean 6NZ C15 is collector-grade iron.

Filter our inventory by engine or ask us — we’ll match the powerplant to your routes and budget.

Ready to find your next truck?
Inspected inventory, honest prices, backed by ROAD+.
Browse Inventory
Call Now
View Inventory