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

Mercedes-Benz Actros, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2015–2020) vs Volvo FM, 338 kW, 4x2 tractor unit

Lower declared fuel

Mercedes-Benz Actros, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2015–2020)

2015–2020 · 315 kW
32.7l/100 km
median; 29.7–39.5 across 203 declared configurations

Volvo FM, 338 kW, 4x2 tractor unit

2014–2019 · 338 kW
37.3l/100 km
median; 32.8–39.5 across 28 declared configurations
Mercedes-Benz Actros, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2015–2020) and Volvo FM, 338 kW, 4x2 tractor unit side by side
SpecificationMercedes-Benz Actros, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2015–2020)Volvo FM, 338 kW, 4x2 tractor unit
Vehicle formTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)RegisteredTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)Registered
Axle configuration4×2Declared4×2Declared
Registered new2015–2020Registeredcentral 90% of records2014–2019Registeredcentral 90% of records
Engine power315 kWDeclared338 kWDeclared
Engine displacement10.7 litresDeclared10.8 litresDeclared
GearboxautomatedDeclaredautomatedDeclared
Emission classEURO 6, EURO VI, EURO VI A, EURO VI C, EURO VI DRegisteredEEV K, EURO 5, EURO 6, EURO V, EURO VI, EURO VI B, EURO VI CRegistered
Gross vehicle weight18,000–20,500 kgRegisteredmedian 19,000 kg, across 74 type-approval versions and 34 records without one18,600–22,000 kgRegisteredmedian 20,500 kg, across 30 type-approval versions and 21 records without one
Kerb weight6,895–8,255 kgRegisteredmedian 7,446 kg, over 244 registrations6,400–7,948 kgRegisteredmedian 7,275 kg, over 73 registrations
Wheelbase3,700–3,850 mmRegisteredmedian 3,700 mm, over 244 registrations3,500–3,800 mmRegisteredmedian 3,700 mm, over 73 registrations
Overall length5,900–6,310 mmRegisteredmedian 6,160 mm, over 244 registrations5,600–6,210 mmRegisteredmedian 5,960 mm, over 73 registrations
Overall height3,480–3,950 mmRegisteredmedian 3,740 mm, over 8 registrations3,170–3,890 mmRegisteredmedian 3,400 mm, over 21 registrations
Declared fuel, long haul32.7 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 29.7–39.5 l/100 km across 203 declared configurations37.3 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 32.8–39.5 l/100 km across 28 declared configurations
CO₂ per tonne-km44.3 g Declaredmedian; 40.3–53.6 g50.6 g Declaredmedian; 44.5–53.6 g

Fuel and CO₂: long haul at 19.3 t, 2019 declarations.

What the numbers actually say

The Mercedes-Benz Actros, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2015–2020) declared 4.6 l/100 km less (14%) on the long haul at 19.3 t, 2019 declarations. At 120,000 km a year and an assumed £1.40 a litre, that is about 5,520 litres a year, or £7,728. A gap this size is outside the 10% tolerance of declared figures.

Fuel over a year

120,000 km · assumed price
Mercedes-Benz Actros, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2015–2020)39,240 litres
£54,936 at the assumed price
Volvo FM, 338 kW, 4x2 tractor unit44,760 litres
£62,664 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.