Comparison · 4×2 tractor unit · long haul at 19.3 t

Mercedes-Benz Actros, 235 kW, 4x2 tractor unit vs Mercedes-Benz Actros, 260 kW, 4x2 tractor unit

Mercedes-Benz Actros, 235 kW, 4x2 tractor unit

2018–2023 · 235 kW
34.4l/100 km
median; 34.4–35.3 across 4 declared configurations

Mercedes-Benz Actros, 260 kW, 4x2 tractor unit

2018–2023 · 260 kW
33.4l/100 km
median; 32.2–40.9 across 9 declared configurations
Mercedes-Benz Actros, 235 kW, 4x2 tractor unit and Mercedes-Benz Actros, 260 kW, 4x2 tractor unit side by side
SpecificationMercedes-Benz Actros, 235 kW, 4x2 tractor unitMercedes-Benz Actros, 260 kW, 4x2 tractor unit
Vehicle formTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)RegisteredTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)Registered
Axle configuration4×2Declared4×2Declared
Registered new2018–2023Registeredcentral 90% of records2018–2023Registeredcentral 90% of records
Engine power235 kWDeclared260 kWDeclared
Engine displacement7.7 litresDeclared7.7 litresDeclared
GearboxautomatedDeclaredautomatedDeclared
Emission classEURO VI, EURO VI C, EURO VI D, EURO VI ERegisteredEURO 6, EURO VI, EURO VI C, EURO VI D, EURO VI ERegistered
Gross vehicle weight18,000–19,000 kgRegisteredmedian 19,000 kg, across 5 type-approval versions and 44 records without one17,800–19,000 kgRegisteredmedian 18,000 kg, across 4 type-approval versions and 7 records without one
Kerb weight6,427–6,945 kgRegisteredmedian 6,817 kg, over 54 registrations6,377–6,845 kgRegisteredmedian 6,545 kg, over 15 registrations
Wheelbase3,700–3,720 mmRegisteredmedian 3,700 mm, over 54 registrations3,700 mmRegistered
Overall length5,920–6,250 mmRegisteredmedian 6,160 mm, over 54 registrations5,860–6,150 mmRegisteredmedian 5,920 mm, over 15 registrations
Overall height3,450–3,910 mmRegisteredmedian 3,850 mm, over 19 registrations3,620–3,920 mmRegisteredmedian 3,870 mm, over 12 registrations
Declared fuel, long haul34.4 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 34.4–35.3 l/100 km across 4 declared configurations33.4 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 32.2–40.9 l/100 km across 9 declared configurations
CO₂ per tonne-km46.69 g Declaredmedian; 46.69–47.81 g45.2 g Declaredmedian; 43.59–55.5 g

Fuel and CO₂: long haul at 19.3 t, 2022 declarations.

What the numbers actually say

There is 1 l/100 km between these two (2.9%). That is inside the 10% tolerance of declared figures, so on fuel alone neither is the better choice: at 120,000 km a year and an assumed £1.40 a litre the gap would be about 1,200 litres a year (£1,680). The declared figures for one of them alone span 8.7 l/100 km across its configurations, so the specification ordered matters more than the choice between these two.

Fuel over a year

120,000 km · assumed price
Mercedes-Benz Actros, 235 kW, 4x2 tractor unit41,280 litres
£57,792 at the assumed price
Mercedes-Benz Actros, 260 kW, 4x2 tractor unit40,080 litres
£56,112 at the assumed price
At 120,000 km a year and an assumed £1.40 a litre; the price is an assumption, not one we track.