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

Mercedes-Benz Actros, 335 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2018–2020) vs Volvo FM, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2016–2020)

Mercedes-Benz Actros, 335 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2018–2020)

2018–2020 · 335 kW
33.9l/100 km
median; 30–40.2 across 291 declared configurations

Volvo FM, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2016–2020)

2016–2020 · 315 kW
35.1l/100 km
median; 30.3–41.7 across 48 declared configurations
Mercedes-Benz Actros, 335 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2018–2020) and Volvo FM, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2016–2020) side by side
SpecificationMercedes-Benz Actros, 335 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2018–2020)Volvo FM, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2016–2020)
Vehicle formTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)RegisteredTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)Registered
Axle configuration4×2Declared4×2Declared
Registered new2018–2020Registeredcentral 90% of records2016–2020Registeredcentral 90% of records
Engine power335 kWDeclared315 kWDeclared
Engine displacement10.7 litresDeclared12.8 litresDeclared
GearboxautomatedDeclaredautomatedDeclared
Emission classEURO VI, EURO VI C, EURO VI DRegisteredEURO VI B, EURO VI CRegistered
Gross vehicle weight18,000–20,500 kgRegisteredmedian 19,000 kg, across 28 type-approval versions and 5 records without one18,800–22,000 kgRegisteredmedian 21,000 kg, across 27 type-approval versions and 3 records without one
Kerb weight6,798–8,376 kgRegisteredmedian 7,640 kg, over 124 registrations6,952–11,840 kgRegisteredmedian 7,765 kg, over 72 registrations
Wheelbase3,700–3,850 mmRegisteredmedian 3,700 mm, over 124 registrations3,500–4,000 mmRegisteredmedian 3,800 mm, over 72 registrations
Overall length5,900–6,310 mmRegisteredmedian 6,160 mm, over 124 registrations5,690–6,410 mmRegisteredmedian 6,190 mm, over 72 registrations
Overall height3,740–4,000 mmRegisteredmedian 3,800 mm, over 13 registrations2,900–3,910 mmRegisteredmedian 3,880 mm, over 34 registrations
Declared fuel, long haul33.9 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 30–40.2 l/100 km across 291 declared configurations35.1 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 30.3–41.7 l/100 km across 48 declared configurations
CO₂ per tonne-km45.9 g Declaredmedian; 40.6–54.4 g47.6 g Declaredmedian; 41.1–56.6 g

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

What the numbers actually say

There is 1.2 l/100 km between these two (3.5%). 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 1,440 litres a year (£2,016). The declared figures for one of them alone span 11.4 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, 335 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2018–2020)40,680 litres
£56,952 at the assumed price
Volvo FM, 315 kW, 4x2 tractor unit (2016–2020)42,120 litres
£58,968 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.