The Scania L-series led a record-setting round of Euro NCAP Regional Distribution truck testing, with five of seven vehicles earning the organization’s top five-star safety rating. All seven models tested met the CitySafe threshold, and an additional five-star rating was issued to a Scania P-series 6×2 rigid in the Utility category. The results released on April 22 mark the strongest single round of commercial vehicle testing since Euro NCAP began rating trucks in 2024.
Highlights
- Five of seven Regional Distribution trucks earned five stars, more than double the 2024 baseline of two.
- The Scania L-series topped the round with a 90 percent overall score, driven by 93 percent in Crash Avoidance.
- MAN TGM achieved its first Euro NCAP five-star rating; both MAN and Scania have climbed from three stars to five since initial testing.
- DAF XD scored three stars but was singled out for fitting safety systems as standard rather than as cost options.
Scania L-series Leads on Crash Avoidance
The Scania L-series, tested as a 4×2 rigid, scored 90 percent overall. Euro NCAP credited the low-entry cab design with delivering strong direct vision in urban settings. The model’s 93 percent Crash Avoidance score reflected the performance of its pedestrian and cyclist protection systems, including AEB configured to detect vulnerable road users during nearside turns.
The L-series result follows Scania’s five-star rating for its L-series 6×2 utility configuration published earlier this year, extending the cab platform’s five-star performance across both distribution and utility applications.
Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and MAN Join the Five-Star Group
The Mercedes-Benz Actros and Volvo FM both scored 88 percent, followed by the Scania P-series at 87 percent. Euro NCAP noted that the Actros and FM performed consistently across all three assessment areas — Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, and Post-Crash Safety.
The MAN TGM earned 80 percent, the manufacturer’s first five-star result in Euro NCAP truck testing. The organization highlighted the TGM’s performance in highway scenarios, attributing it to the truck’s Lane Support and Autonomous Emergency Braking systems. Both the Scania and MAN models have moved from three-star to five-star scores since their earlier rounds, a progression Euro NCAP described as evidence of intensified safety engineering investment across the segment.
Standard vs. Optional Safety Equipment
Euro NCAP’s 2026 results drew attention to a widening split in how manufacturers specify safety systems. The DAF XD, which scored three stars overall, was recognized for including many of its driver assistance systems as standard fitment — a point Euro NCAP used to contrast against manufacturers that rely on optional equipment packages to reach five-star scores.
The organization stated that these safety options typically represent a small percentage of a truck’s purchase price but deliver meaningful protection for drivers and vulnerable road users. Specifying the full safety package is often the difference between a three-star and five-star rating on the same underlying vehicle.
Full Regional Distribution Results
| Truck Model | Configuration | Rating | CitySafe | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scania L-series | 4×2 Rigid | 5 | ✓ | 90% |
| Mercedes-Benz Actros | 4×2 Rigid | 5 | ✓ | 88% |
| Volvo FM | 4×2 Rigid | 5 | ✓ | 88% |
| Scania P-series | 4×2 Rigid | 5 | ✓ | 87% |
| MAN TGM | 4×2 Rigid | 5 | ✓ | 80% |
| Renault Trucks D Medium | 4×2 Rigid | 4 | ✓ | 68% |
| DAF XD | 4×2 Rigid | 3 | ✓ | 62% |
A Scania P-series 6×2 rigid in the Utility category also earned five stars with an 87 percent overall score.
Industry Outlook
Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development at Euro NCAP, commented on the results: “It is positive to see commercial vehicle manufacturers responding to Euro NCAP testing and showing impressive commitment to improving the safety of their new trucks. Five five-star trucks in one round of testing is a very welcome record.”
Avery added a caveat for fleet buyers: specifying the safety options listed on the datasheet is essential to realize the tested protection level. He also indicated Euro NCAP is consulting manufacturers on revised protocols set to take effect from 2028.
The next round of commercial vehicle testing will shift to City Distribution trucks up to 12 tonnes, with results scheduled for release in November.
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