During the test drives in Italy, the Setra S 516 HDH won the jury of the “Coach of the Year 2026” with its complete package of comfort, efficiency and safety.
Magazine
The Setra TopClass is Coach of the Year 2026.
Excellent: the Setra S 516 HDH impresses across the board.
In autumn 2025, the members of the jury of the prestigious “Coach of the Year” Award went to Modena, Italy, to put three first-class and different touring coaches through their paces. A Setra S 516 HDH from the premium model series was on the starting line, which impressed the 24 specialist journalists of the jury on the text track in Emilia-Romagna.
The Setra S 516 HDH sets standards.
The jury of the award - which has been presented every two years since 1989 - is made up of 24 specialist journalists from 24 countries. They not only expertly examine the vehicles, but also take into account what they have to offer drivers, passengers and enterprises. The tested Setra TopClass S 516 HDH sets standards in the coach segment in every respect. The premium touring coach scores points equally in terms of comfort, profitability, design and safety. “For the jury, the Setra TopClass is the clear winner of the 'Coach of the Year 2026' trophy,” said Gianluca Ventura, chairman of the jury, at the award ceremony at Busworld in Brussels in October 2025.
Gianluca Ventura, President of the Jury (right) presents the “Coach of the Year” award to Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses at Busworld 2025.
For the jury, the Setra TopClass is the clear winner of the 'Coach of the Year 2026' trophy.
Gianluca Ventura, President of the Jury
Comfort for passengers and drivers.
From the outside, the Setra S 516 HDH looks elegant and invites passengers on long journeys at first glance. Climate control, attractive lighting and generous stowage options above the comfortable seats make travelling in this three-axle vehicle a pure pleasure. The luxurious interior of the touring coach offers maximum travel comfort, but not only for the passengers. The visually appealing driver cockpit also offers everything drivers could wish for in terms of comfort and technology. The cockpit is ergonomically designed and thanks to the clear arrangement, drivers always have a good overview of all important functions. The TopClass glides smoothly and quietly. It is not for nothing that many drivers call the Setra TopClass the top class of touring coaches.
Touring coaches with maximum safety.
A trip in the Setra TopClass is not only extremely comfortable and very economical thanks to the efficient OM 471 engine, passengers and drivers travel with the certainty that they are always on the road with the highest level of safety. A fact that the jury of the “Coach of the Year 2026” also highlighted in particular: “We were first and foremost impressed by the consistently designed package of driver assistance and safety systems,” emphasised jury chairman Gianluca Ventura.
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The elegant Setra TopClass S 516 HDH invites you to get in from the outside.
The elegant Setra TopClass S 516 HDH invites you to get in from the outside.
A state-of-the-art workplace and a luxurious interior offer drivers and passengers maximum travel comfort.
A state-of-the-art workplace and a luxurious interior offer drivers and passengers maximum travel comfort.
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We were impressed by the systematic package of driver assistance and safety systems.
Gianluca Ventura, President of the Jury
An impressive safety package.
With Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6), Frontguard Assist, Sideguard Assist 2 and Active Drive Assist 2, the MirrorCam, a 360° camera system and the tyre pressure monitoring system, the Setra brand sets standards in the touring coach segment with the S 516 HDH. Technical finesse and high effectiveness show how Setra is committed to the well-being of passengers and drivers on journeys, praised Gianluca Ventura.
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Particularly impressive: MirrorCam, 360° camera and active safety systems for the well-being of passengers, drivers and road users.
Particularly impressive: MirrorCam, 360° camera and active safety systems for the well-being of passengers, drivers and road users.
Particularly impressive: MirrorCam, 360° camera and active safety systems for the well-being of passengers, drivers and road users.
Particularly impressive: MirrorCam, 360° camera and active safety systems for the well-being of passengers, drivers and road users.
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High-quality equipment and technical details.
In addition to the S 516 HDH tested in Modena, the Setra TopClass consists of the S 515 HDH, the S 517 HDH and the double-decker S 531 DT. The TopClass is available in lengths between 12.5 and 14.2 metres with all its technical finesses and excellent equipment.