Comparison · 6×2 tractor unit · long haul at 19.3 t

Mercedes-Benz Actros, 380 kW, 6x2 tractor unit vs Scania R 520 A6x2/4

Mercedes-Benz Actros, 380 kW, 6x2 tractor unit

2014–2024 · 380 kW
33.1l/100 km
median; 30.2–33.8 across 3 declared configurations

Scania R 520 A6x2/4

2019–2021 · 382 kW
32.7l/100 km
median; 32–33.4 across 5 declared configurations
Mercedes-Benz Actros, 380 kW, 6x2 tractor unit and Scania R 520 A6x2/4 side by side
SpecificationMercedes-Benz Actros, 380 kW, 6x2 tractor unitScania R 520 A6x2/4
Vehicle formTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)RegisteredTractor unit for semi-trailer (BC)Registered
Axle configuration6×2Declared6×2Declared
Registered new2014–2024Registeredcentral 90% of records2019–2021Registeredcentral 90% of records
Engine power380 kWDeclared382 kWDeclared
Engine displacement15.6 litresDeclared16.4 litresDeclared
GearboxautomatedDeclaredautomated, manualDeclared
Emission classEURO VI A, EURO VI ERegisteredEURO 6, EURO VI CRegistered
Gross vehicle weight26,500–27,000 kgRegisteredmedian 26,500 kg, across 1 type-approval version and 1 record without one26,000–27,000 kgRegisteredmedian 27,000 kg, over 3 registrations
Kerb weight8,994–9,051 kgRegisteredmedian 8,994 kg, over 2 registrations9,630–9,635 kgRegisteredmedian 9,635 kg, over 3 registrations
Wheelbase4,000 mmRegistered4,100 mmRegistered
Overall length6,460 mmRegistered6,410–6,470 mmRegisteredmedian 6,470 mm, over 3 registrations
Overall height3,440 mmRegisteredNot recorded
Declared fuel, long haul33.1 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 30.2–33.8 l/100 km across 3 declared configurations32.7 l/100 km Declaredmedian; 32–33.4 l/100 km across 5 declared configurations
CO₂ per tonne-km44.82 g Declaredmedian; 40.99–45.83 g44.4 g Declaredmedian; 43.4–45.3 g

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

What the numbers actually say

There is 0.4 l/100 km between these two (1.2%). 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 480 litres a year (£672). The declared figures for one of them alone span 3.6 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, 380 kW, 6x2 tractor unit39,720 litres
£55,608 at the assumed price
Scania R 520 A6x2/439,240 litres
£54,936 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.