The Mercedes-Benz Actros has become the latest truck to be awarded five stars by Euro NCAP in their most recent round of testing.
The Actros joins the Volvo FM and FH Aero which were the only models to achieve the maximum rating in the inaugural Euro NCAP Safer Trucks testing of HGVs last year.
Improvements tweaks to the design and safety equipment of the , since it was first tested in 2024, saw it improve on the previous rating, also securing a City Safe rating along with eight other models.
Euro NCAP assess trucks, with all of which have all available optional safety equipment fitted, according to a set of key criteria in the categories of Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, and Post Crash Safety. They are then given a rating out of five stars, with an it additional CitySafe accreditation for vehicles best suited for urban environments.
The latest tests focused on models typically bought as rigid vehicles, however, as the configuration doesn’t impact testing, Euro NCAP rated many of the most common versions as tractor units in 4×2 and 6×2 forms without an attached trailer.
Scania, Renault, and Mercedes-Benz all improved scores in line with the new, rigid results. These replace the 2024 results, while tests of other manufactures, including Volvo’s two five star rated models remain unchanged.
The results for the Actros come after the German manufacturer declined to take part in Euro NCAP’s initial 2024 testing, prompting Euro NCAP to source their own vehicle. For the 2025 testing, Daimler instead submitted three Actros models of differing cab heights.
The standard Actros achieved the maximum rating while its two other models in the Actros range, the new Actros L ProCabin and the European-spec Actros F, both of which have taller cabs, were awarded four stars due to inferior driver vision.
The Renault T now comes with a nearside cyclist detection system, an enhancement that enables it to earn a four-star rating and CitySafe award. The Scania R-series increased from a three star to four star rating, while the G-series maintains its four-star rating with a CitySafe award.
The DAF XF remains as a three star truck with CitySafe designation, but Euro NCAP notes that almost all of its safety equipment is fitted as standard.
MAN declined to take part, but Euro NCAP sourced its own TGX awarding it three stars. No further Iveco models have been tested after the S-Way received a 1-star rating for a model-year 2024 vehicle in EuroNCAP’s previous November results.
Trucks account for less than 3% of vehicles on Europe’s roads but are responsible for 15% of fatal accident fatalities.
“Most manufacturers are saying GSR2 is not enough, that we can go above and beyond GSR2, and that we can provide the sort of safety that is required to keep people safe in the truck and people outside the truck safe, whether it is city streets or highways,” said Matthew Avery, Euro NCAP director of strategy development.
Future testing will see Euro NCAP add crash testing into the assessment where the focus will shift to passive protection in order to limit the risk of car occupant fatalities in the event of a frontal impact with an HGV.
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