For the 2020 model-year, the makers of medium-duty trucks are offering an abundance of models, upgraded powertrains, enhanced tech options, and improved upfit friendliness. 

Here are a few key highlights from each automaker:

Chevrolet

Chevrolet will offer the Silverado medium-duty truck lineup that made its debut last year: 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD. Some new features for 2020 include thorax side-impact air bags and head curtain side-impact air bags with rollover protection and new vocational transmissions for shuttle and non-conforming school buses. Later this year, a locking rear axle and six additional upfitter switches will also be available.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD come standard with a Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V-8 engine, delivering 350 hp and 700 lb.-ft. of torque. The truck is available with seven cab-to-axle options, 10 wheelbase options from 141 to 243 inches, and five axle-to-end-of-frame options.

Chevrolet will also continue to offer its line of Low Cab Forward trucks. The 2019 Gas/2020 Diesel Chevrolet Low Cab Forward includes the 3500, 4500, 4500HD, 4500XD, 5500HD, 5500XD, and 6500XD. It features GVWR between 12,000 and 25,950 pounds and up to 15,690 pounds of payload.

Ford

For MY-2020, power take-off (PTO) provision is now standard on all Class 3-5 and F-600 Super Duty chassis cab trucks with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engine. The PTO provision will remain optional on pickup models and 7.3L gas V-8 chassis cab models.

The 2020 Super Duty Chassis Cab will also have standard auto high-beam headlamps and available lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.

The F-650 and F-750 offer the new 7.3L V8 or 6.7L Power Stroke diesel V-8, as well as new driver-assist technology, including available automatic emergency braking.

Freightliner

For 2020, Freightliner offers the M2 106 for medium-duty truck fleets. The M2 106 is available with four engine options.

The Detroit DD5 delivers 200-240 hp and 560-660 lb.-ft. of torque. The Detroit DD8 delivers 260-350 hp and 660-1,050 lb.-ft. of torque. The Cummins B6.7 delivers 200-325 hp and 520-750 lb.-ft. of torque. The Cummins L9 delivers 260-350 hp and 720-1,150 lb.-ft. of torque.

Freightliner also offers medium-duty customers active safety systems from Wabco OnGuardACTIVE for adaptive cruise control and collision mitigation, and Bendix AutoVue for lane departure warning systems.

Hino

Hino continues to offer a wide range of medium-duty trucks for 2020 spanning Class 4 to Class 7, including the 155, 195, and diesel-electric hybrid 195h cabovers; the 238, 258, 268, and 330 conventional models; as well as the Class 7 and 8 XL Series. 

Distinctive standard features on the 2020-MY XL7 include air-ride cab and driver’s seat, hands-free Bluetooth audio and calling, steering wheel controls, LED headlights, cruise control, and air conditioning. All 2020-MY Allison-transmission-equipped Hinos include a five-year, unlimited-mile transmission warranty standard — the best base transmission warranty in the industry, according to Hino.

International

International will continue to offer the HV Series (first introduced in late 2017), MV Series (launched in early 2018), and CV Series (introduced in late 2018). 

The HV and MV are available with the Cummins B6.7 offering 200-325 hp and 520-750 lb.-ft. of torque or the Cummins L9 offering 260-350 hp and 720-1,000 lb.-ft. of torque. The HV is also available with the 12.4L International A26 big bore engine. The CV Series, developed in conjunction with General Motors, is powered by an International 6.6L engine, delivering 350 hp and 700 lb.-ft. of torque.

All three trucks are designed with International’s DriverFirst technology, with high visibility, easier serviceability, and a comfortable ride.

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America

Isuzu’s Class 3 NPR Gas and Class 4 NPR-HD Gas are equipped with a 6.0L Vortex V-8 gasoline engine mated to a 6L90 Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic with double overdrive, delivering 297 hp and 372 lb.-ft. of torque.

The rest of Isuzu’s Class 4-6 lineup — including the NPR-HD, NPR-XD, NQR, NRR, and FTR — is powered by the 5.2L Isuzu 4HK1-TC turbocharged intercooled diesel engine, with a B-10 rating of 375,000, 215 hp, and 452 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is mated to the new Aisin A465id 6-speed double overdrive automatic transmission.

Isuzu now offers a rear back camera and Mobileye lane detection as port-installed options on all models.

Kenworth

The Kenworth T170 Conventional, K270 Cabover, and K370 Cabover are powered by the 6.7L Paccar PX-7 diesel engine which delivers 200-360 hp and 520-800 lb.-ft. of torque.

The T270 Conventional and T370 Conventional are available with the Paccar PX-7 or the 8.9L Paccar PX-9, which delivers 260-450 hp and 720-1,250 lb.-ft. of torque. The T470 and T440 are offered with the Paccar PX-9 or Cummins Westport L9N natural gas engine.

This year, Kenworth announced two new options for its medium-duty conventional models: Kenworth’s TruckTech+ remote diagnostics and/or Alcoa Dura-Black wheels can be ordered on the T270, T370, T440, and T470. 

Mack

The Mack Granite Medium Heavy Duty (MHD) is a conventional cab model available in an axle-back or axle-forward configuration as either a 6x4 or 4x2. Built on the Mack Cornerstone chassis, it can be spec’ed as a Class 7 or Class 8 model.

All Granite MHD models are equipped with a 9.0L Cummins L9 engine paired to a 6-speed Allison RDS automatic transmission, offering 330-380 hp and 1,000-1,250 lb.-ft. of torque. Standard configurations include a Mack front axle and Meritor rear axles. Additional axles, transmissions, and suspensions are available.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America

New for 2020, Mitsubishi Fuso launched the FE180 GAS, the industry’s first gasoline-powered Class 5 work truck. 

Key features of the FE180 GAS include 11,885 pounds of payload, larger 19.5-inch tires, and free oil changes for the first five years/75,000 miles. The new model is expected to arrive at dealerships during the final quarter of 2019.

The company will continue to offer the Class 4 FE140 and FE160, both gasoline-powered models. All three models are powered by a 6.0L V-8 engine, delivering 297 hp and 361 lb.-ft. of torque.

Peterbilt

The Bendix Wingman Fusion advanced driver assistance system is available on Peterbilt's medium-duty Models 337 and 348 beginning Fall 2019. The optional system integrates camera and radar technology to enable advanced collision mitigation features, including object detection, lane departure warning, and over-speed alerts.

Earlier this year, the Peterbilt SmartLINQ remote diagnostic solution became an available option on Models 325, 330, 337, and 348. The diagnostics solution provides customers with real-time fleet health to maximize uptime and keep deliveries on schedule. A two-year subscription is included with the SmartLINQ option.

Ram

The Ram Trucks 2500/3500 Heavy-Duty Pickup is available with a 6.4L HEMI V-8 gas engine that delivers 410 hp and 429 lb.-ft. of torque or a 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel. The Ram 2500 is offered with a Standard-Output 6.7L, delivering 370 hp and 850 lb.-ft. of torque. The Ram 3500 is offered with a High-Output 6.7L, delivering 400 hp and 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque.

For 2020, the Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 Chassis Cabs are available with Lane Keep Assist, adaptive steering, body-color bumpers, and Ram telematics vehicle tracking. In addition, the 2020 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab is the first to offer an 8-speed transmission in the segment.  

Western Star

The 4700 is Western Star’s most popular and most versatile model. It can now be spec’ed with the lightweight Cummins X12, which delivers 500 hp and up to 1,700 lb.-ft. of torque. Another new option is the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission. 

Inside, the 4700 has been redesigned with larger gauges on the instrument panel, a new LCD dash display, customizable LED indicators, and a multi-function steering wheel.

New features include Wabco OnGuard, which tracks vehicles and objects in the truck’s path and automatically applies the brake, and Bendix lane departure, which tracks the truck’s lane position and audibly warns the driver.

Editor's Note: This story was updated 10/16 with information about the Chevrolet Low Cab Forward.