- Five trucks achieved a full 5-star rating, marking a major leap in medium-duty truck safety standards.
- Scania L-series led the rankings with the highest safety score driven by superior visibility and urban protection systems.
On April 22, Euro NCAP conducted safety evaluations on seven medium-duty trucks categorized under regional distribution, highlighting significant progress in vehicle safety standards. These trucks, typically rigid vehicles with two axles and a maximum weight of around 18 tonnes, are widely used for urban and regional logistics operations. Their design, often featuring box or curtain-sided bodies, allows improved visibility compared to larger heavy-duty trucks, making them more suitable for city environments where pedestrian and cyclist interaction is frequent.
Euro NCAP Testing Framework and CitySafe Recognition
The evaluation framework focused on three key pillars: safe driving, crash avoidance, and post-crash safety. Safe driving assessed driver visibility and assistance systems, while crash avoidance evaluated braking and lane support technologies. Post-crash safety examined the availability of rescue information. Trucks demonstrating strong performance in urban conditions were awarded the CitySafe recognition, emphasizing their effectiveness in mitigating risks in densely populated areas.
Top Performing Trucks Achieve 5-Star Safety Ratings
Among the tested vehicles, five trucks secured the highest 5-star rating, indicating a notable advancement in safety engineering. The Scania L-series emerged as the top performer with a 90% score, driven by exceptional direct vision and robust protection systems for vulnerable road users. Both Mercedes-Benz Actros and Volvo FM followed closely with scores of 88%, reflecting strong all-round safety capabilities. The Scania P-series also achieved a 5-star rating, reinforcing the brand’s consistent safety performance across its lineup.
Performance Comparison of Tested Trucks
The results demonstrate a clear upward trend in safety improvements across manufacturers, particularly in active safety technologies and driver assistance systems. Notably, MAN TGM achieved a 5-star rating with an 80% score, showing strong performance especially in highway conditions. Both Scania and MAN showed significant progress by advancing from previous 3-star ratings to 5-star, highlighting continuous investment in safety innovation.
Truck Safety Ratings Overview
| Truck Model | Safety Rating | Score (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Scania L-series | 5-Star | 90 |
| Mercedes-Benz Actros | 5-Star | 88 |
| Volvo FM | 5-Star | 88 |
| Scania P-series | 5-Star | — |
| MAN TGM | 5-Star | 80 |
| Renault Trucks D Medium | 4-Star | — |
| DAF XD | 3-Star | — |
Scope for Improvement in Standard Safety Features
While top performers demonstrated strong safety capabilities, some trucks showed room for improvement. The Renault Trucks D Medium achieved a 4-star rating, performing well in safe driving and crash avoidance categories but lacking in certain areas for a higher rating. The DAF XD received a 3-star rating despite offering multiple safety features as standard, whereas other manufacturers still provide similar systems as optional upgrades. Expanding the adoption of standard safety features across all models could significantly enhance overall road safety outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Euro NCAP truck safety rating and why is it important?
Euro NCAP truck safety rating evaluates the safety performance of commercial vehicles based on driving assistance, crash prevention, and post-crash measures. It helps fleet operators and manufacturers understand how well trucks protect drivers and vulnerable road users in real-world conditions. The rating system encourages automakers to improve safety technologies, standardize advanced features, and reduce accident risks, particularly in urban environments where interaction with pedestrians and cyclists is frequent and safety demands are higher.
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