2018 Isuzu NLR250 service truck review

Greater demand for work-ready trucks has seen the XL brand create a range of service bodies specifically for the Isuzu N-Series light-duty truck line-up.

Sometimes a one-tonne ute isn’t big enough or spacious enough for the job at hand, and this is where the Isuzu NLR250 light-duty truck fitted with an XL CityPro service body offers urban trades and service people, and their employers, a more practical alternative, especially as it can be driven on a class one passenger vehicle licence.

Service Bodies Australia (SBA) are the exclusive distribution agents for the seven-strong range of XL service bodies specifically made for the Isuzu N-Series, and in New Zealand SBA is represented by Isuzu New Zealand master truck dealer, CAL>Isuzu who supplied the truck pictured above and below for this review.

According to CAL>Isuzu the Australian-manufactured XL CityPro service body is so durably built, owners should expect to swap it over to a second new truck, and if the body has been nurtured and treated well by the crew, possibly even a third.

The NLR250 CityPro service truck offers compact dimensions thanks to its 1770mm cab width and 2135mm height, making it ideal for urban users as they can park comfortably in loading zones, some inner city car parks, and driveways if needs be.

The vehicle pictured offers 2500kg of payload on a car licence, and 2500 litres of lockable storage space with strongly-built adjustable shelving. The double skin doors have internal pockets and slam-shut paddle handle locks with a two-stage rotary latching.

All XL bodies have a four-stage pretreatment and powder coat finish and they have been designed to comply with occupational health and safety requirements.

In addition to the CityPro NLR and NPR light service trucks, XL also offer the UrbanPro models which include the NPS 450 4×4 line truck in single and crew cab models with a payload of 3400kg and 3250 kg respectively.

There is also the NPS 450 4×4 mechanic truck with a crane and a payload of 3000kg, as well as the NPR 450 heavy duty service truck with a payload of 3000kg, and finally the NQR 500 extra heavy duty service truck with payload of 4000kg.

The NLR250 CityPro service truck has a 2.5 tonne towing capacity which means it can be optioned with the appropriate towbar, 7-pin plug and an electric brake controller.

Further optional extras that buyers can add to the CityPro service body include central locking that is integrated into the trucks cab key, a door ajar alarm, a reversing camera which plays on the Isuzu media centre, and a switch panel in the cabin for the additional exterior fitting of an alloy light bar, work lamps and amber beacons.

Additionally buyers can also add LED lighting in the service body compartments, a jump start receptacle, a 24V dual battery system, a 24V to 12v reduction system, load rated tie-down points in the centre aisle as well an integrated rear bumper/step/crowbar compartment.

Just like the Isuzu NLR250 tipper truck that we reviewed earlier this year, the NLR250S CityPro service truck is powered by the same Isuzu 4JJ1-series Euro-V compliant 3-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine.

However this NLR250S CityPro service truck was equipped with a six-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) making it a user-friendly workhorse that is very easy to jump in and drive, particularly in congested urban streets.