Fuel Consumption & Performance
| Section | Fuel consumption | Average speed |
| Overall (laden) | 8.1 mpg (35 lit/100km) | 74.4 km/h |
| Tough A-roads | 5.4 mpg (52.8 lit/100km) | 66.1 km/h |
| Easy A-roads | 9.7 mpg (29.1 lit/100km) | 73.2 km/h |
| Motorways | 8.1 mpg (34.8 lit/100km) | 87.8 km/h |
Hillclimb times
| Castleside: | 210 sec |
| M1: | 283 sec |
Acceleration
| 0-80km/h: | 56.7 sec |
| 32-64km/h: | 24.4 sec |
| 48-80km/h: | 32.3 sec |
Brake performance
| From 32km/h: | 6.3m |
| From 48km/h: | 13.9m |
| From 64km/h: | 25.5m |
In-cab noise
| At 48km/h: | 62.0dB(A) |
| At 80km/h: | 67.7dB(A) |
| At tickover: | 54.9dB(A) |
Rob Clarke drives a Volvo FH 380 for Dodd’s Transport out of Warrington. “The Premium’s cab is about the same height as the Volvo,” he says, “but it’s easier to climb into. Foot space is cramped to the left of the steering column. The brakes feel OK. The low screen allows good visibility close to the front of the truck. I always travel with the window slightly open and there is less wind noise than in my Volvo. The cloth seats are more practical than Volvo’s leatherette ones, which make me sweat. I like the slide-out locker. Stowage space is not bad, but any driver who stays out more than a couple of nights could use more. While the passenger seat is comfortable, for sleeping the mattress could be thicker."
Dave Owen, based at Leeds, drives a more powerful Volvo FH12 420 for Delaney. “Tipped forward, the steering wheel gives plenty of room for the driver to get seated, and it would make a great television stand,” he says. “The space is great and even the radio has finger touch control. The truck moves away easily in second, and the gearbox drops smoothly into fourth almost straight away. Take the revs to 1,700rpm and it drops onto the next gear at the bottom of the green at about 1,100rpm. The engine pulls better than mine at 40 tonnes. SO well, in fact, that I thought the trailer was empty. The mirrors are a bit small and there is a massive blind spot just behind the driver’s door. With my long legs I have to sit too far back from the steering wheel. Ride is good and the cab doesn’t roll much."
Owner-Driver Martin Carter from Bradford owns a Daf 95 400. “The accelerator pedal feels weird and I don’t like the clutch,” he says. “The driver’s seat is comfortable and offers good support, while the steering is positive, although its heavier on reversing. The brakes are progressive, but add a bit of urgency and they stop well. The engine pulls quite strongly. I’d need more time before I could comment on the heating and ventilation. I am impressed with the finish in general, but I would rather have the second bunk than this very comfortable settee. I like the way the steps are staggered; they resemble a flight of stairs but the bottom rung looks as though it might be prone to kerbing."
