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Isuzu is presently within the strategy of launching a new-generation model of its smallest truck on provide domestically, the N Collection (aka the Elf in Japan).
When you do want a heavy car license to drive many variations of this truck, nearly half of the configurations might be pushed with an everyday automobile license. This implies it could possibly be a great workhorse possibility for many who would sometimes be contemplating a conventional dual-cab ute.
Truck mannequin lifecycles are significantly longer than they’re for vehicles. The present, sixth-generation N Collection was launched again within the late 2000s and has been round since then with incremental updates.
With this new, seventh-generation mannequin, Isuzu has made a substantial quantity of adjustments. On the skin, there’s revised styling and new LED headlights throughout the vary.
Inside, there’s a extra car-like inside with a smaller steering wheel that now options buttons, and a revised gauge cluster setup that now features a bigger digital instrument cluster, in addition to an electrical park brake with an auto-hold operate, amongst different upgrades.
WATCH: Paul’s video overview of the 2024 Isuzu N Collection truck
Underneath the pores and skin, all of the powertrain choices are actually Euro 6 emissions-compliant, which implies they now require AdBlue. The three.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel variants now additionally get the choice of a nine-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission, as a substitute of an automatic guide transmission.
Lastly, there was a significant improve to the protection know-how. Due to a brand new stereo digicam setup, the protection programs now have greater high quality digicam feeds and a wider discipline of view. There’s additionally new security gear corresponding to entrance cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise management, relying on the variant, amongst others.
Forward of first buyer deliveries commencing later this 12 months, we received an opportunity to drive two pre-production variations of the N Collection truck, the NLR 45-150 DT D25 Traypack and NNR 45-150 DT D34 Vanpack, as a part of a media drive.
Is that this truck value contemplating over a dual-cab ute? Learn alongside to search out out.
How a lot does the Isuzu N Collection price?
Isuzu Australia hasn’t confirmed the pricing for the new-generation N Collection truck simply but.
Nevertheless, the present N Collection truck vary begins at $54,843 earlier than on-roads for the NLR 45-150 SWB Traypack, and extends to $99,594 earlier than on-roads for the NPR 45/55-155 AMT SWB Servicepack.
What’s the Isuzu N Collection like on the within?
Effectively, it’s very clearly a truck, but it surely’s extra car-like than ever earlier than.
The brand new N Collection truck it now will get proximity entry. You now not must fish the important thing out of your pocket to unlock it, and might now as a substitute unlock and lock the truck by urgent a button on the door deal with.
There’s a heavy-duty aspect step that can assist you hop in, as a result of it’s a good hike into the cabin. There are additionally hefty seize handles that make ingress and egress a lot simpler. You’d be misplaced with out them.
When you’re in, the ahead and sideward views are impeccable. You sit up very perched, so it’s a commanding place to be, and it feels very far faraway from any car-like driving place.
The driving force’s seat appears similar to what the D-Max has, but it surely’s a suspended unit that bobs up and down once you hit bumps. It is a fairly commonplace function for vans and buses, and it’ll doubtless really feel bizarre in case you’ve solely ever pushed vehicles. But it surely’s very useful and also you do get used to it after some time.
Unsurprisingly, the motive force’s seat solely has guide adjustment. You’re capable of dial in a cushty place, however you wouldn’t wish to be a lot taller than six-foot tall as a result of the area on provide may really feel a bit of cramped.
The pedals are additionally positioned too excessive. With the intention to press the brake pedal, I needed to raise my foot off the bottom, which after some time made my ankle ache.
I recognize that the steering column has each tilt and attain adjustment. Nevertheless, the steering column itself plunges below the ground between the motive force’s toes, that means foot room is compromised. That is yet one more basic truck trait and one thing that’ll doubtless take some adjusting to.
In comparison with the outgoing mannequin, the steering wheel itself is extra car-like than ever. It’s smaller, but it surely nonetheless feels such as you’re steering a truck with the best way it’s angled. Plus, it doesn’t assist that the wheel itself is plastic, so it doesn’t really feel very premium.
There are additionally buttons on the steering wheel for adjusting the media and cruise management, amongst different features. The outgoing mannequin doesn’t function any steering wheel buttons in any respect, so this can be a main improve that makes the truck really feel way more fashionable.
Behind the steering wheel continues to be a set of analogue dials for the engine and street speeds. They’re giant, clear and straightforward to learn. There’s a small multi-information show sandwiched between the tacho and speedo dials, which might cycle by a variety of informative pages. It’d be nice if there was one for a digital speedometer.
Shifting throughout, whereas there have been many adjustments to the N Collection’ inside, one thing that hasn’t modified is the ten.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It nonetheless appears slightly aftermarket in the best way it’s plonked on the dashboard.
We didn’t get time to dive too deeply into the menus, however on the floor stage, it seems simple to navigate and onerous to get misplaced in. The system provides each wired variations of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to satellite tv for pc navigation.
Trying across the cabin, this can be a through-and-through industrial car with workhorse intentions. Don’t go anticipating to see any plush comfortable finishes in right here. As an alternative, there’s onerous, scratchy plastic in every single place, which is able to put on higher in the long term.
Different key adjustments across the cabin embrace a brand new local weather management pod, which fortunately retains bodily dials, in addition to a brand new computerized gear shifter, plus an electrical park brake with an auto maintain operate. The latter feels so unusual in such a heavy-duty car, but it surely does make life a lot simpler and likewise frees up extra space for storage.
Talking of storage, there may be sufficient, however extra can be good. From giant netted sections above the motive force’s head to a fold-down part the place the center seat goes, you’ll simply be capable of discover a area for pens and paper.
On the passenger aspect, there’s a two-person bench seat, which is much from probably the most glamorous area ever, and it’s a set unit as commonplace.
Past this, there’s not a lot else to the cabin. You will get a crew-cab model of the N Collection, which will increase complete seating capability to 6. Up to date variations now get an air-conditioning unit with vents within the again so rear occupants can keep cool.
What’s below the bonnet?
Each the N Collection vans we drove had been powered by the three.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, mated with the brand new nine-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission.
| Specs | Isuzu NLR 45-150 SWB | Isuzu NNR 45-150 MWB |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L 4cyl turbo-diesel | 3.0L 4cyl turbo-diesel |
| Energy | 110kW @ 2800rpm | 110kW @ 2800rpm |
| Torque | 375Nm @ 1280-2800rpm | 375Nm @ 1280-2800rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed DCT | 9-speed DCT |
| Drive kind | RWD | RWD |
| Gasoline tank | 75L (diesel) 14L (AdBlue) |
100L (diesel) 14L (AdBlue) |
| Weight | TBC | TBC |
| Payload | TBC | TBC |
| Braked towing capability | 4000kg | 4500kg |
| Gross car mass (GVM) | 4500kg | 4500kg |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) | 8000kg | 8000kg |
How does the Isuzu N Collection drive?
To start out up this truck, you now not must put the important thing into the ignition. As an alternative, you simply must have the important thing fob close by and twist the starter knub the place the important thing was beforehand inserted.
When you do that, the 4JZ1 four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine involves life in an analogous method to the 4JJ3 engine within the D-Max and MU-X. It’s removed from probably the most refined engine at idle, however on the finish of the day this can be a industrial car constructed for heavy-duty work.
To set off, you have to use the substantial-feeling computerized gear selector. It defaults to the ‘Eco’ drive mode each time you flip the truck on to minimise gasoline consumption, however fortunately you may simply change this off by urgent a button close to the gear shifter.
Additionally, in case you overlook to show off the electrical park brake, it deactivates routinely as you set off.
Preliminary acceleration on this truck received’t blow your socks off by any means, however you’ll sustain with different site visitors supplied you don’t have an excessive amount of weight on board. Plant your foot, nonetheless, and the engine simply revs out and doesn’t speed up any sooner.
Each vans we sampled throughout our temporary drive loop featured the standard-output model of the 4JZ1 engine, which produces 110kW and 375Nm. This isn’t very a lot in any respect, however for almost all of functions you received’t really feel such as you want way more.
The N Collection can be had with a extra highly effective model of this 3.0-litre turbo-diesel that produces 129kW and 430Nm, which is extra in step with what the three.0-litre engine within the D-Max and MU-X produces.
When you’re power-hungry, this could be value choosing as a substitute, on the expense of gasoline consumption. We had been unable to file an financial system determine and since it’s a truck Isuzu doesn’t declare one both.
What’s fascinating about this new-generation truck is that computerized variations now get a nine-speed dual-clutch computerized as a substitute of an antiquated automated guide transmission. To sum it up, it feels a lot extra fashionable and in step with what we anticipate from dual-cab utes by way of efficiency.
The gearshifts really feel snappy and nearly instantaneous. Plus, there’s no drop-off in momentum, which is nice in case you’re hauling heavier gear.
Having extra gear ratios means the truck can keep inside its torque band extra simply, delivering extra constant acceleration.
One draw back, nonetheless, is that the truck often chooses the very best gear doable to minimise gasoline consumption. If you name for extra acceleration, it could actually often lag earlier than dropping one, two, and even three gears to get issues transferring alongside sooner.
Driving round city within the N Collection, it feels very very like a truck. It bobs and rocks with the bumps, even with a little bit of weight within the again. Having the seat suspension does assist with this although.
Though you do must work the steering wheel, this truck feels nimble. Its turning circle additionally feels notably smaller than dual-cab utes, which is a plus in case you often drive in built-up areas the place three-point turns are mandatory.
There was a noticeable distinction within the trip high quality of the 2 vans we drove. The NLR has unbiased coil entrance suspension, which makes it really feel extra car-like and extra prepared to lean in bends. The NNR, however, has leaf suspension on the entrance, which is extra heavy-duty however makes it really feel stiffer and extra inflexible.
When you’d suppose these vans can be fairly intimidating to drive, the fact is sort of totally different. You’ve nice outward visibility, plus there are humongous aspect mirrors, that are nice for keeping track of what’s taking place on both aspect of the car.
Sure variations of the N Collection additionally include a reversing digicam. Nevertheless, all variants include a reversing beeper, which was a enjoyable novelty for a automobile man like me, however after some time I can think about it will get annoying.
Build up the velocity, the engine does begin to run out of puff. Even cruising alongside flatter floor, it’ll often hover round two or three gears, which creates an unsettling feeling behind the wheel.
There’s additionally a good bit of wind noise that emanates into the cabin. It doesn’t assist that the truck is a literal field on wheels, and the aspect mirrors stick out a good approach.
We didn’t get an opportunity to drive the N Collection out on the freeway, however computerized variations have an adaptive cruise management system that works in any respect speeds. With the intention to make sure the system works, you have to have the engine brake turned off.
There have been many upgrades on the protection entrance and this additionally makes this truck really feel extra car-like. There’s autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, entrance cross-traffic alert, and site visitors signal recognition. Loads of these programs use a brand new stereo digicam setup that’s not solely higher-resolution however has a wider discipline of view.
Lastly, all variations of the N Collection now have LED headlights which are vivid and clear, offering higher visibility at nighttime.
What do you get?
The Isuzu N Collection is about to be accessible in a minimum of 153 totally different configurations.
2025 Isuzu N Collection gear highlights:
- Bi-LED headlights
- LED tail-lights
- Keyless entry and push-button begin
- Intermittent window wipers
- Multi-information show
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- AM/FM/DAB+ radio
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- 32GB inside storage
- Local weather management
- LED inside lamp
- Electrical park brake
- Driver’s bucket seat with mechanical suspension
- Two-person bench seat
Is the Isuzu N Collection secure?
Provided that the Isuzu N Collection is a truck, it hasn’t been crash-tested by ANCAP.
Commonplace security gear:
- Two airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Intersection AEB
- Entrance cross-traffic alert
- Lane departure warning
- Consideration alert system
- Misacceleration mitigation
- Site visitors motion warning
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Adaptive cruise management (computerized solely)
How a lot does the Isuzu N Collection price to run?
The Isuzu N Collection’ chassis is roofed by a six-year, 250,000km guarantee, whereas the real elements and equipment are lined by a three-year guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Isuzu N Collection |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 6 years, 250,000km (chassis) 3 years (real elements and equipment) |
| Roadside help | 6 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 25,000km or 500 hours |
Isuzu provides a variety of service packages, although it doesn’t listing what these price.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Isuzu N Collection
When you’re somebody who is consistently hauling round heaps of instruments and likewise must tow a heavy trailer, you’d be foolish to not take into account one thing like this.
Many individuals purchase utes as they’re marketed as the kind of car you should use for work through the week after which exit adventuring on the weekend. Nevertheless, this additionally means they aren’t actually the masters of something.
That is the place the Isuzu N Collection is available in. It’s purpose-built as a hardworking workhorse that, relying on the configuration, can tow 4500kg and nonetheless provide round 1500kg of payload. And quite a lot of variants might be pushed on a automobile licence.
The draw back is you may’t go anticipating this truck to drive identical to a automobile. The driving place is way more upright, there are acres of harsh plastics within the cabin, and the infotainment nonetheless doesn’t match the benchmark of what’s provided in vehicles. It’s way more rudimentary and centered on heavy-duty work.
It doesn’t assist that the three.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine within the vans we drove felt a bit of sluggish and needed to be labored onerous out on the open street. The nine-speed dual-clutch computerized, nonetheless, is snappy and a incredible addition to this package deal.
Regardless of my gripes, this truck feels extra agile than many dual-cab utes and has a smaller turning circle. This could make a giant distinction in case you spend loads of time within the metropolis.
One other main consideration is that the N Collection is significantly cheaper than many dual-cab utes and American pickups. For budget-conscious tradies and enterprise homeowners, choosing a truck like this will make loads of sense from a price of possession perspective.
Isuzu has put loads of effort into updating this truck, and it’s clear it’ll appeal to a a lot wider viewers when it arrives domestically later this 12 months. Watch this area.
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