What the 2025 Peterbilt 589 changes from the driver's seat
Ingrid Brown of Blackjack Express walks through the digital dash, smart wheel controls, and daily-use differences in her custom 589.
What does the 2025 Peterbilt 589 change from earlier models?
The 2025 Peterbilt 589 brings a digital dash and smart wheel controls to the driver's seat, according to Ingrid Brown, a longtime professional driver at Blackjack Express who runs a custom 589 she calls "Lucy" (full name: Blood, Sweat and Tears). Brown's walk-through shows the cab from the perspective of someone who drives it every day, not a showroom tour.
Brown covers the digital dash layout, smart wheel controls, and how the 589 differs from earlier Peterbilt models in a driver's-eye video tour published by TruckingInfo. The video includes both interior cab details and an exterior walk-around.
Digital dash and smart wheel controls
The 589's digital dash replaces analog gauges. Brown explains the interface and how she uses it during daily runs. The smart wheel controls consolidate functions that previously required reaching for separate switches or buttons.
Brown's commentary focuses on practical use rather than feature lists. She describes what works in daily operation and what takes adjustment when moving from older Peterbilt models.
Custom 589 build
Brown's 589 is a custom build. The video shows her specific configuration choices, though the source does not detail individual spec decisions or equipment packages.
The truck's nickname, "Lucy," follows Brown's practice of naming her equipment. Her off-the-cuff observations and sense of humor come through in the walk-through, giving the tour a working-driver perspective rather than a sales pitch.
What this means for spec decisions
The 589's digital dash and smart wheel controls represent Peterbilt's move toward the interface standard other OEMs have already adopted. For fleets considering a 589 order, Brown's real-world use provides a data point on how the controls perform outside the dealer lot.
The video does not cover pricing, fuel economy, or maintenance intervals. It focuses on cab ergonomics and daily-use interface changes. Fleets evaluating the 589 against other Class 8 models will need to supplement Brown's driver-seat perspective with TCO data and service-network considerations.
The full video tour is available through TruckingInfo, with footage by Wayne Parham and additional editing by Deborah Lockridge.
