Don’t fear, you haven’t by chance clicked on TruckExpert. Whereas we usually assessment passenger automobiles, we wished to present the Isuzu N Sequence truck a shot, given you possibly can drive it on a automobile licence.
Most individuals default to a dual-cab ute for work functions, however what in case you want extra, however don’t need or want a full-blown truck that requires a truck licence? Properly that’s the place this slender band of truck choices come into play.
Isuzu Vans – whereas owned by the identical mum or dad, it operates individually to Isuzu Ute – sells a sequence of vehicles known as the N Sequence. They’re designed to be pushed by drivers on a automobile licence and are available plenty of ‘able to work’ configurations.
So right now we’re behind the wheel of the 2024 Isuzu NPR 45/55-155 Commerce Pack. It’s the medium wheelbase widebody model of the N Sequence truck and comes fitted with the Commerce Pack, which provides a heavy responsibility tray with ladder racks and bull bar.
How a lot does the Isuzu NPR 45/55-155 value?
Pricing for the Isuzu NPR 45/55-155 Tradepack vary kicks off with the SWB Tradepack with guide transmission.
It’s priced from $65,175.70 earlier than on-road prices, whereas the top-specification mannequin being examined right here, the MWB Commerce Pack with automated guide transmission is priced from $67,981.06 earlier than on-road prices.
Isuzu Vans mentions that whereas the pricing is beneficial and unique of on-road prices, higher pricing could be had by way of negotiation with the vendor.
It’s additionally value calling out that every one the equipment are fitted on the model’s manufacturing unit in Australia and options just like the bullbar are engineered to work with the car’s security and cooling methods, which some aftermarket parts might intrude with.
What’s the Isuzu NPR 45/55-155 like on the within?
My principal purpose with this assessment was to see what sort of comparability might be drawn between a work-oriented dual-cab ute and a truck providing.
The very first thing you’ll discover is that the cabin feels very truck-like compared to a dual-cab ute. The NPR’s inside feels extra like the place dual-cab utes have been about 10 years in the past.
Isuzu Vans is engaged on a model new car that sits on a modular platform and includes a extra car-like inside, in order that change is on the playing cards, nevertheless it’s not all grim information.
Whereas the supplies really feel onerous and scratchy, they do really feel sturdy. There are additionally creature comforts like a bigger inside mild, storage behind the seats, a center seating place and a suspended driver’s seat.
I used to be a giant fan of the infotainment system. It’s sarcastically a much better implementation than what Isuzu options in its D-Max and MU-X.
The massive 10.1-inch display options inbuilt satellite tv for pc navigation (together with prompt truck routing), AM/FM and DAB digital radio, together with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The reverse digital camera high quality with microphone is astoundingly good. It bests something I’ve seen on a passenger automobile, plus the display lets you join plenty of different digital camera angles by way of the display.
You’ll additionally discover single-zone computerized local weather management, central locking and electrical home windows and mirrors.
What’s beneath the cab?
Isuzu is among the world’s largest diesel engine producers, so by this level they’ve one of these expertise fairly properly sorted.
Below the cab of the Isuzu NPR 45/55-155 is a 5.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that produces 114kW of energy and 419Nm of torque.
On this occasion it’s mated to a six-speed automated guide transmission, though a standard six-speed guide can be obtainable. The automated guide has variable shift speeds and the power to guide choose gears on the transfer.
Within the truck world they don’t actually quote gas economic system, however on take a look at we averaged round 15.1 litres per 100km.
How does the Isuzu NPR 45/55-155 drive?
Regardless of sitting over the engine, the cabin isn’t as loud as I assumed it could be. The diesel engine in the end doesn’t sit at a excessive rpm for longer intervals of time, so that you gained’t discover it being overly thrashy or noisy contained in the cabin.
Acceleration is clean, and very similar to all automated guide transmissions there’s a lag between gear shifts because it automates the shift course of. I discovered that it was usually smoother to elevate off the throttle throughout gear shifts to enhance shift high quality and velocity.
Throttle response is usually good and acceleration in-gear is responsive when the engine is on enhance. Steering really feel is truck-like, however pretty correct. There’s some play about centre, however when it’s loaded up there’s loads of steering really feel to present you a good suggestion of what’s occurring beneath the cab.
The Isuzu NPR 45/55-155 makes use of reside axles entrance and rear, together with stabiliser bars at entrance and rear. Each axles additionally use leaf springs and passive hydraulic dampers. The GVM on a automobile licence is 4500kg (which is the restrict on a automobile licence) and the GCM is 9000kg.
Which means on a automobile licence you possibly can carry 1485kg of payload (earlier than becoming equipment) with the highest specification mannequin examined right here. There’s additionally a 4500kg braked towing capability (with a 70mm ball), which suggests you possibly can, in idea, carry a full 1484kg of payload and tow 4500kg with a braked trailer and nonetheless be inside the car’s limits.
You possibly can’t try this in any of the opposite utes available on the market – together with the larger American pickup vehicles just like the RAM 1500, Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado – it is advisable to step as much as a dual-cab that requires a truck licence earlier than you possibly can match this load score.
The tray is beneficial too, measuring in at 4500mm lengthy and simply over 2000mm huge.
One of many largest variations you’ll discover between a truck like this and a dual-cab ute is the journey high quality. It lacks the subtle suspension you’ll discover on a dual-cab ute, and because of this it does crash over bumps and each highway imperfection is exaggerated. It’s one of many issues that’s onerous to get round if you’re aiming for payload over consolation.
The suspended seat undoubtedly helps take the brunt of the impacts, however your passenger will probably discover a lot of the impacts. It’s one thing you’d simply get used to, however simply one thing value stating.
CarExpert’s Tackle the NPR 45/55-155
We solely had a short run within the N Sequence truck, however I used to be genuinely stunned at how a lot worth you’re getting out of your spend.
Spending beneath $70,000 within the dual-cab world lands you about $15,000 in need of a LandCruiser 70 Sequence and simply shy of a HiLux Rogue.
Whereas these automobiles have a way of life side to them that may’t be matched by a truck, the truck definitely takes the cake for work duties – particularly in case you’re severe about hauling instruments and tools.
In case you’re shopping for a dual-cab, or perhaps a single-cab ute for what you are promoting and are severe about with the ability to transfer tools, a correct truck may really be the smarter possibility.
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