The second test round of the Euro NCAP program “Safer Trucks” documents clear progress in the safety of heavy commercial vehicles. One year after the premiere, which had still yielded a mixed picture, several manufacturers were able to improve their ratings. With the Actros from Daimler Truck, for the first time another model moves into the top group, which had previously been held solely by Volvo. Thus, three trucks now hold the maximum five-star rating: Volvo FM, Volvo FH Aero and Mercedes-Benz Actros.
Euro NCAP Truck Test 2025: The results in pictures:
Euro NCAP for Trucks 2025
Euro NCAP tested ten widely used truck models in 2025, which together should cover around 95 percent of the market in European long-haul transport. In addition, five tractor-trailers were re-evaluated to update the results of the first test series from 2024. Evaluations were made in the categories “Safe Driving,” “Accident Avoidance” and “Post-Crash Safety.” In addition, the supplementary rating “CitySafe,” awarded to vehicles particularly well equipped for urban use, was given to eight models.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks responds to criticism
Mercedes-Benz Trucks had not participated in 2024, but responded to the criticism and this year presented three Actros variants with different cab heights. The Actros 420 in the lowest cab version achieved the top rating of five stars, the Actros F and Actros L ProCabin received four stars. All three were awarded “CitySafe.” What mattered for the jump upward were improvements in the assistance systems and equipment, while the higher seating position of the two larger cabs restricted direct visibility into the traffic space.
Volvo Trucks confirms top ratings
Volvo Trucks confirmed again the maximum rating of five stars with the FM and FH Aero models. Thus the Swedish manufacturer remains a benchmark in truck safety. Renault improved the T-model with a cyclist-detection system that aims to prevent heavy turning accidents, and achieved four stars as well as CitySafe. Scania increased the R-series from three to four stars, while the G-series held its previous year's level. DAF remains at three stars with the XF, but notes that almost all safety equipment is standard. MAN again refused official participation; a TGX sourced from the market achieved three stars and did not receive a CitySafe badge, as the field of view was deemed inadequate.
Euro NCAP test methodology “Stages of Safety”
The test methodology follows the new framework “Stages of Safety,” which Euro NCAP introduced in 2024. The assessment covers the entire life cycle of an accident: from avoidance,
through the actual crash, to rescue afterwards. In the category “Safe Driving” it focuses on driver monitoring, driver assistance and visibility. “Accident Avoidance” tests the performance of assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), turning assist or lane-keeping. “Post-Crash Safety” evaluates, among other things, the availability of rescue information and the possibility of rapid extrication of vehicle occupants.
Heavy trucks account for less than three percent of the vehicle stock in Europe, but are involved in around 15 percent of fatal accidents. The most vulnerable are other road users: Only eleven percent of the victims sit inside the trucks themselves; the majority are occupants of cars or vans as well as pedestrians and cyclists. In light of this burden, improving truck safety is a central societal task.
For the coming years, Euro NCAP plans an expansion of the test program. From 2028, crash tests will be conducted for the first time, focusing on passive occupant protection. The goal is to gradually bring the safety level of trucks in line with that of passenger cars.
Lesen Sie hier die LOGISTRA-Berichterstattung zum ersten Euro NCAP-Test für Lkw im Jahr 2024.
Euro NCAP 2025 for Trucks: The Results
- Trucks: DAF XF
Truck SAFE rating: ★★★☆☆
CitySafe: Yes
Safe Driving – 85%
Collision Avoidance – 35%
Rescue – 80%
Euro NCAP Commentary:
“The DAF XF achieves a leading position in the Safe Driving category for long-haul trucks on level ground. Its visibility is excellent thanks to very low windows, low belt lines, an additional door window, and a camera-monitoring system (CMS) that replaces all mirrors. It is equipped with an automatic emergency braking (AEB) that performs moderately well in rear-end collisions with vehicles as well as in collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. Its impressive performance in urban crash scenarios earns it the CitySafe designation and an overall solid 3 stars. Thus it is a good choice for long-haul traffic, especially when routes also take in urban areas.”
- Lkw: Iveco S-WAY
Truck SAFE rating: ★☆☆☆☆
CitySafe: No
Safe Driving – 32%
Collision Avoidance – 19%
Rescue – 80%
Euro NCAP Commentary:
“Iveco did not provide a vehicle for the tests. Therefore, Euro NCAP tested the latest well-equipped vehicle available. The manufacturer notes that this does not reflect the safety performance of the newest vehicle generation that complies with the GSR2 regulations, whose delivery was expected later in 2024. The tested IVECO S-WAY offers only limited direct visibility and few of the driver assistance systems evaluated by Euro
NCAP, which led to the disappointing 1-star rating.”
- Lkw: MAN TGX
Truck SAFE rating: ★★★☆☆
CitySafe: No
Safe Driving – 56%
Collision Avoidance – 60%
Rescue – 80%
Euro NCAP Commentary:
“MAN declined to provide a vehicle for the tests. Nevertheless, Euro NCAP was able to procure and evaluate the latest GSR2-compliant model with all relevant safety options. The TGX achieves a solid 3-star safety performance, balancing Safe Driving and Collision Avoidance. Its direct visibility is poor and scored zero points in this category. An excellent camera-monitor system is available as an option to improve visibility. It also offers a very good selection of collision avoidance technologies, including a powerful lane-keeping assistant.”
- Lkw: Mercedes-Benz Actros L
Truck SAFE rating: ★★★☆☆
CitySafe: No
Safe Driving – 72%
Collision Avoidance – 51%
Rescue – 80%
Euro NCAP Commentary:
“Daimler Trucks did not provide a vehicle for the tests. Therefore, Euro NCAP evaluated the latest, well-equipped model available (first registered July 2024). The manufacturer explains that this does not reflect the safety performance of the newest generation, which became available later in 2024. The tested Actros L achieves a solid 3-star rating. It is the highest truck in this segment, but still achieves a good score for Safe Driving thanks to CMS. It features a very good range of collision-avoidance systems, even though some functions were limited in performance.”
- Lkw: Renault Trucks T
Truck SAFE rating: ★★★★☆
CitySafe: No
Safe Driving – 72%
Collision Avoidance – 70%
Rescue – 80%
Euro NCAP Commentary:
“The Renault Trucks T receives a strong 4-star rating, mainly thanks to its high-quality driver assistance systems (ADAS), which score well in both Safe Driving and Collision Avoidance. Most systems are standard. Direct visibility is limited, although the recently introduced CMS has improved the Safe Driving rating. A cyclist-turning assistant would be desirable. Combined with the limited direct visibility, the Renault is thus more suitable for long-distance operations than for urban operation.”
- Lkw: Scania R-Serie
Truck SAFE rating: ★★★☆☆
CitySafe: No
Safe Driving – 64%
Collision Avoidance – 62%
Rescue – 80%
Euro NCAP Commentary:
“The Scania R-Series is available with almost all driver assistance systems evaluated by Euro NCAP, and these generally work well. However, many of them are paid options. The visibility fundamentals are good but are restricted by conventional mirrors, and a CMS is not available. ADAS performance is good in most areas, but some functions to protect vulnerable road users are missing. Overall a good choice, especially for highway
operations, provided the right options are chosen.”
- Lkw: Scania G-Serie
Truck SAFE rating: ★★★★☆
CitySafe: Yes
Safe Driving – 71%
Collision Avoidance – 62%
Rescue – 80%
Euro NCAP Commentary:
“The Scania G-Series was tested as a partner model of the R-Series. The lower cab improves visibility. The vehicle delivers solid performance with a balanced relationship between Safe Driving and Collision Avoidance. It is available with almost all driver assistance systems evaluated by Euro NCAP, and these generally work well, but are often paid options. Visibility is fundamentally good and benefits from the lower cab height. The absence of a camera-monitoring system remains a limitation. The performance in collision avoidance is good in most areas, and the AEB for vulnerable road users (VRU) in combination with good visibility earns the G-Series the CitySafe designation. Overall a safe choice for mixed-use applications, if the right options are chosen.”
- Lkw: Volvo FH Aero
Truck SAFE rating: ★★★★★
CitySafe: Yes
Safe Driving – 80%
Collision Avoidance – 89%
Rescue – 80%
Euro NCAP Commentary:
“The Volvo FH is an excellent and safe choice for fleet vehicles. Direct visibility is good, supported by CMS and the aerodynamically shaped front. In combination with very good assistive systems, it achieves a high score for Safe Driving. It also scores very well in Collision Avoidance – all of the systems evaluated by Euro NCAP are available, including automatic emergency braking to protect pedestrians when turning. As a highway truck, it impresses with good direct visibility and very good AEB for unprotected road users, which earns it not only 5 stars but also the CitySafe award – ideal for long-haul with occasional city trips.”
- Lkw: Volvo FM
Truck SAFE rating: ★★★★★
CitySafe: Yes
Safe Driving – 90%
Collision Avoidance – 89%
Rescue – 80%
Euro NCAP Commentary:
“The Volvo FM was tested as a partner to the FH Aero but features a lower cab for better visibility. It is an excellent safe choice for fleet vehicles. Direct visibility is very good, supported by CMS. In combination with excellent assist systems, it achieves a very high score for Safe Driving. It also achieves top values in Collision Avoidance – all of the systems evaluated by Euro NCAP are available, including automatic emergency braking to protect cyclists when turning. As an all-rounder, it convinces with very good direct visibility and strong protection of vulnerable road users, earning it 5 stars and the CitySafe designation – perfect for mixed city and highway traffic.”
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