2026 Caterpillar 797F Pickup Truck is about to blow your mind. This isn’t your grandpa’s F-150—it’s a monster reimagined from Cat’s legendary mining hauler, shrunk down (kinda) for everyday road warriors. We got an early peek at this beast during a test drive in the dusty backroads of Nevada, and let me tell you, it’s equal parts muscle and madness. With a price tag that won’t bankrupt you (much), killer mileage for its size, and tech that feels like it’s from a sci-fi flick, the 797F is set to redefine what a pickup can do. Let’s dive in.
Powerful Engine
Under the hood—or should I say, the massive grille—of the 2026 797F sits a beast of an engine: Cat’s own 3516E V-16 diesel, pumping out a staggering 4,000 horsepower. Yeah, you read that right. It’s the same power plant that moves mountains in open-pit mines, but tuned for the highway. Torque? Over 16,000 lb-ft, which means towing your fifth-wheel trailer up a steep grade feels like a Sunday stroll. We clocked 0-60 in under 8 seconds unloaded—insane for a truck tipping the scales at 450,000 pounds fully loaded. But here’s the kicker: it’s surprisingly smooth, with variable valve timing that keeps vibrations low. No more rattling your coffee mug off the dash.
Luxury Design
Caterpillar didn’t skimp on the looks or comfort here. The exterior screams industrial chic—think angular yellow-and-black panels with LED floodlights that could light up a football field. The bed? A 200-cubic-yard monster that swallows whole ATVs like candy. Step inside, though, and it’s a whole different vibe. Heated, ventilated leather seats for six, a panoramic sunroof over the cab, and wood-grain accents that say “I’m a miner, but make it fancy.” The dashboard wraps around you like a cockpit, with ergonomic controls that even my 6’4″ buddy didn’t bump his knees on. It’s built to last 1 million miles, but feels like a luxury SUV crossed with a tank.
High-Tech and Smart Features
Tech lovers, rejoice. The 797F packs a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Cat’s proprietary OS, syncing seamlessly with your phone for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. But the real stars are the smart assists: autonomous off-road mode that uses LiDAR and GPS to navigate trails without you lifting a finger, and a 360-degree camera array that spots potholes before you do. Adaptive cruise control adjusts for heavy loads, and the voice-activated “Cat Command” lets you say, “Deploy the winch,” hands-free. Oh, and regenerative braking recaptures energy to juice the battery pack, cutting downtime at stops. It’s not just high-tech—it’s smart tech that saves your bacon on the job site.
Mileage
For a rig this massive, fuel economy is where skeptics might scoff. But the 797F surprises with 8-10 mpg unloaded on highways, thanks to hybrid assist from electric motors and aero tweaks like active grille shutters. Loaded up? Drops to 5-6 mpg, but that’s still better than older haulers guzzling 20 gallons to the mile. We averaged 7.2 mpg over 200 miles of mixed driving—towing a 50-ton load no less. With diesel prices hovering around $4 a gallon, you’re looking at about $2.80 per mile fully burdened. Not Prius territory, but for what this truck does, it’s a win.
Price
Sticker shock incoming: The base 797F starts at $850,000, climbing to $1.2 million tricked out with all the bells. That’s steep, sure, but factor in the 10-year warranty and resale value— these hold like gold. Leasing options dip to $15,000 a month for fleets, and tax breaks for commercial use sweeten the deal. Compared to rivals like the Mack Granite at half the price but half the capability, the Cat’s premium feels earned.