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Euro NCAP has awarded the Mercedes-Benz Actros a maximum five-star safety rating in its latest round of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) assessments. This places the Actros alongside Volvo’s top models as one of the safest trucks on the market, offering reassurance to fleet operators and enhancing safety for all road users.
Key Highlights
- The Mercedes-Benz Actros achieved a maximum five-star Safer Truck rating from Euro NCAP, a significant improvement from its previous three-star rating.
- It joins the Volvo FM and FH Aero models as the only trucks to hold a five-star rating.
- Trucks account for less than 3% of vehicles on European roads but are involved in 15% of accident fatalities.
- Other manufacturers, including Scania and Renault, have also made safety improvements, earning higher ratings and CitySafe awards.
- Euro NCAP’s testing evaluates vehicles across three stages: Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, and Post Crash Safety.
New 2025 Truck Safety Ratings Released
In its second-ever test of HGVs, Euro NCAP assessed ten popular trucks, which represent about 95% of the long-haul rigid truck market. The Mercedes-Benz Actros showed robust improvement after the company enhanced the truck’s safety equipment and system performance.
The lowest cab version of the Actros earned the five-star rating, while the taller Actros F and Actros L ProCabin models received four stars due to differences in driver vision. However, all three models were awarded the CitySafe label, signifying they are a safe choice for urban operations when properly equipped.
Why Safer Trucks Are Crucial
Due to their significant size and weight, collisions involving HGVs are often the most severe on European roads. While trucks are essential to the economy, distributing 95% of goods across the EU, they are disproportionately involved in fatal accidents. Notably, only 11% of casualties in these incidents are truck occupants; the remainder are occupants of cars and vans, pedestrians, and cyclists. Euro NCAP’s SAFER TRUCKS program aims to improve these statistics by providing independent safety assessments.
Manufacturer Rating Updates
The latest assessments revealed safety advancements across several brands:
- Volvo: The FM and FH Aero models maintain their excellent five-star rating and CitySafe designation from the previous year.
- Renault: The T model earned a CitySafe award and a four-star rating, thanks to a new nearside cyclist detection system.
- Scania: The R-series truck improved its rating from three to four stars, while the G-series maintained its four-star rating and CitySafe standard.
- DAF: The XF truck holds its three-star rating and CitySafe designation. DAF stands out by including nearly all its safety equipment as a standard feature.
- MAN: After the company declined to participate, Euro NCAP sourced a TGX model independently. It was awarded three stars but did not qualify for the CitySafe award due to poor driver vision.
Future of Truck Safety Testing
Euro NCAP plans to introduce more stringent testing protocols in 2028 to encourage further innovation in safety systems. Future assessments will expand to include crash testing, with a focus on passive protection to reduce the risk of fatalities for car occupants in frontal collisions with an HGV. These ongoing efforts push manufacturers to make meaningful safety improvements that protect drivers and the public.
For complete results, please visit www.euroncap.com.
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