Mercedes-Benz Actros L review

The engine range spans three different units offering power from 326hp all the way up to 625hp. The entry-level power band is catered to with a 10.7-litre engine. The 12.8-litre engine is likely to be the most popular choice as it serves 421hp to 530hp, while the 15.6-litre is best matched to heavy haulage work with 517hp up to 625hp versions available. Similarly, torque ranges from 1700Nm up to 3000Nm and Mercedes-Benz has a Top Torque system to give an extra 200Nm for scenarios like overtaking, accelerating and driving up hills.

Each engine option comes with a 12-speed automated transmission with four reverse gears. For specific applications, a gearbox with 16 forward gears can be added. The drive selector lever is also responsible for engine braking which can be controlled at three different levels. Like similar predictive cruise control programmes offered by other truck manufacturers, the Mercedes-Benz Trucks version is called Predictive Powertrain Control. GPS and topographical data allow the truck to coast, accelerate and engine brake to anticipate the road ahead. Drivers can control overrun and underrun limits, when the vehicle backs off, how it deals with bends and set a safe distance for the truck to maintain from traffic in front.

It’s four steps up into the cab and you have to pay attention in the middle as the transition between the second and third step looks like it could be another step. Instead, it’s an extension of the bodywork from the front to keep its aerodynamic shape. Each of the three cab heights offer different aerodynamic performance but trade off against interior height and storage space depending on which one you go for. As the name suggests, Stream is the lowest height, sloping roof option to give the best profile. Big makes the front of the roof a little taller and Giga has the more traditional boxy shape which allows for a row of storage lockers above the windscreen. All three versions have a level floor so the driver can move around the cab easily.

The example we drove was a training truck, so instead of a bed the cab was kitted out with a bench seat for additional passengers. However, the ProCabin now features slatted bed frames and a thick premium mattress as standard. The truck has great seat and steering wheel flexibility to find a comfortable seating position. After a while, the seat cushion felt quite firm though. While it’s very similar to the Actros L cab interior, extra features like more USB-C ports, LED reading lamps and a second under-bunk fridge have been added. The largest Giga cab has a row of storage lockers overhead and drawers beneath the dash are useful for paperwork, laptops or tablets. On the co-driver side, a table pulls out of the dash to create a work or eating space. Most of the controls are housed in the touchscreen display but there are some shortcut buttons and the screen is very crisp and responsive. Alongside standard buttons on the steering wheel, each side has small touch sensitive pads that allow you to scroll through menus on the instrument panel much quicker. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and two phones can be connected at the same time. The infotainment screen can also be controlled via voice commands.

One of the key focuses for the Actros L with ProCabin is its advanced safety systems. These include features such as lane keeping assistance, driver attention monitoring, turning assistance to prevent collisions with vulnerable road users (VRU) and automatic braking if a VRU is in front of the vehicle when moving off. Its lane keeping system works well on the motorway but it takes a while to get used to as it feels like you’re fighting the steering wheel at times. Safety systems can be turned off via the touchscreen display and some automatically turn on again after around 10 minutes. Unlike other manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ Active Drive Assist 3 system can perform emergency lane keeping manoeuvres and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop if the driver becomes unresponsive at the wheel. While EuroNCAP rated its safety systems highly, the Actros L with ProCabin received an overall rating of four out of a possible five stars. This was due to its level of direct vision. Since the cab is quite high and has a smaller windscreen than the likes of the DAF XG+, direct vision out of the windows is limited in comparison.

The 476hp, 2300Nm version we tried felt like a more powerful engine and put down its power best using the predictive cruise control function so the truck knew what speed to target and how to optimise gear shifts on the way there. It has three driving modes: eco, standard and power. As you’d expect, power provides some extra get up and go as needed and defaults back to standard after around 10 minutes to improve fuel efficiency. Since Mercedes-Benz Trucks wants drivers to spend most of their time using the predictive cruise control system, it has a huge amount of adjustability for things like overrun and underrun, when the vehicle slows down before descents and junctions, how much it slows down for bends and how far you want to be from the vehicle in front, so drivers can customise it to their liking.

Compared to the standard Actros L cab, the ProCabin is said to offer up to 3% better fuel economy thanks to its aerodynamic styling. Making the most of its predictive cruise control system is also going to help drivers achieve the best economy. On board eco support coaching starts at a score of 10% at the beginning of a journey and rates the driver based on acceleration, braking, coasting and evenness. Its technology-forward package and aero performance are likely to help it retain its value for second and third life applications.

Factory warranties differ slightly depending on which axle configuration you go for. Both the 4x2 and 6x2 units have a 12 month unlimited mileage warranty and a driveline warranty in years two and three up to 450,000km. The same 12 month unlimited mileage warranty is included for 6x4 and 8x4 configurations but the driveline warranty is limited up to 250,000km in the second and third year. Across the UK, Mercedes-Benz has a dealer network of around 70 locations including the likes of dealer groups Rygor Commercials, Midlands Truck and Van and SAGA Truck & Van.

The Mercedes-Benz Actros L with ProCabin features the best of the manufacturer’s safety systems and updated driver-centred tweaks for comfort and practicality. As well as benefiting from a new aerodynamic design, operators have an opportunity to attract attention with graphics that make full use of the huge canvas on the front of the vehicle.