Fleet News Group has announced the finalists for the 2026 Fleet Light Duty Truck of the Year and Fleet Heavy Duty Truck of the Year awards, recognising trucks that deliver strong value, capability and support for fleet operators.
The Fleet Light Duty Truck of the Year finalists are:
- IVECO Daily Cab Chassis
- Isuzu NPR
- Hino 300 Series Hybrid
The Fleet Heavy Duty Truck of the Year finalists are:
- MAN TGS
- Volvo FH16
- Hino 700 Series
The finalists were selected using a Best Value Analysis designed to assess more than headline specifications or purchase price. Manufacturers were invited to nominate eligible vehicles and were briefed on the judging process so they could provide the information required for a detailed comparison.
Each truck will be scored against six weighted criteria which are:
- Driving and on-road experience
- Engine and transmission options
- Chassis and suspension options
- Sustainability and safety
- Manufacturer support
- Workspace ergonomics
The assessment considered how well each model could meet different fleet applications, including the range of engines, transmissions, chassis configurations, GVM and GCM options, safety systems, emissions performance, national servicing capability, warranty support and driver comfort. The breadth of each model range was also important because fleet operators often seek vehicles that can be standardised across multiple tasks and locations.
Scores were collated and weighted to produce an overall ranking for the light-duty and heavy-duty segments. The highest-ranked vehicles progressed to the finalist stage.
The finalists will now be evaluated by the judging panel, including on-road driving and cabin assessments, before the winners are announced at the Fleet News Group Awards night in Sydney on 14 October 2026, following final testing and review.
