Isuzu F Series FVL 260-300 Freightpack MY25 Review

Isuzu has topped the medium-duty sales ladder for as long as the outgoing F Series line-up has existed, periodically refining the F and FX platforms since 2007 to stay ahead of the pack.

However, the new MY25 F Series line-up is entirely new, bringing with it cleaner engines, a redesigned cabin, and advanced safety technology that propels these no-nonsense medium and heavy-duty models into the future.

The new F Series prioritises driver comfort and ease of use, adopting the same ‘car-like’ driving ethos as its smaller N Series sibling. The result? A truck range that feels familiar but performs even better than the outgoing line-up.

While the launch event gave us the chance to sample a variety of medium-duty FV and heavy-duty FX Series trucks, we spent most of our time behind the wheel of what we see as the line-up’s sweet spot: the FVL 260-300 6x2 Freightpack.

The FVL 260-300 sits at the upper end of the brand’s medium-duty spectrum with a 26,000kg GVM and 32,000kg GCM, powered by an all-new six-cylinder engine that promises to be a game-changer for the brand – but more on that later.

Alongside the FVL were the smaller FVD 170-260 and heavier FVZ 20-300, FXD 170-355, FXL 260-355, and FXY 260-355 models. The updates discussed span the entire range, from the active safety to cabin updates, despite our focus on the FVL.

Before we get into how the new models drive, let’s take a closer look at what makes the MY25 F Series line-up tick.

The F Series range is vast, with more than 50 models on offer, so we don’t have pricing for every variant tested.

However, we do have an as-tested price for the FVL 260-300 6x2 Freightpack, coming in at $269,125 (including GST) plus on-road costs (ORCs). Bear in mind, this is a Ready-To-Work model, with a factory-fresh curtainsider body fitted.

All F Series trucks are covered by Isuzu’s six-year/250,000km standard warranty on the chassis and three-year warranty on the body. Roadside assistance is also included for six years, ensuring peace of mind out on the road.

Servicing comes up every 25,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first) and Isuzu offers various service agreements for operators wanting a clearer total cost of ownership figure.

The new F Series is a significant step up from outgoing models, loaded with upgrades from the headlights to the driver’s seat.

First, the cabin has been redesigned with a focus on ergonomics and comfort, and it features plenty of new technology. If this is your office – which it will be for many operators – you’d want it to be comfortable, right? Well, this cabin delivers.

The headline act is the new ISRI 6860/875 NTS2 air-suspension driver’s seat with built-in heating and cooling. The ventilation is likely to be a winner over the hot Australian summers, especially if you’re operating in Queensland, and equally useful in the chilly winter if you’re based in Victoria.

For us, it was more a novelty, testing hot and cold air settings despite the near-perfect summer weather in Victoria.

The seat offers an incredible amount of adjustability too, right down to an adjustable shoulder strap. It’s a seriously trick seat for a medium-duty truck and adds a premium feel to the cabin.

Being a Freightpack, you’ll also get a 14-pallet curtainsider body with easy-glide curtains, quick-release latches, LED interior lighting, and a removable rear step that allows you to fit a tailgate loader if needed.

Outside, the F Series gets a new three-piece resin bumper which claims to be more pedestrian friendly, bi-LED headlights with adaptive high beam, and a sleeker cab design that looks modern while remaining recognisable.

Safety was clearly a major focus for the MY25 range, and the F Series models are packed with all the active safety technology we’ve come to expect in passenger cars. This might be commonplace in Isuzu’s light-duty trucks, but medium-duty models now get the full gamut of smart safety tech.

The F Series models score 12 active and passive safety systems as standard, which use a camera mounted low in the windscreen, and a long-range milli-wave radar located within the bumper. Think of these systems like a second set of eyes, because aside from the odd noise or nudge, you forget they’re there.

Active safety features include lane keep assist, lane departure warning, attention assist warning, traffic movement warning, traffic sign recognition with intelligent speed limiter, distance warning, advanced emergency braking, and full-speed adaptive cruise.

The full-speed adaptive cruise can be used right down to a standstill, which is an eerie feeling at first but takes the hassle out of stop-start traffic if you’re into handing over the reins. We tried it, and it works, but where it really shines is out on the highway.

Passive safety hasn’t been ignored either, with dual airbags (driver and passenger) and an ECE-R29 cab with side intrusion beams standard across the range.

The cabin technology represents a big step up from the old models, centred around the new 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with wired phone mirroring and built-in truck navigation with live traffic updates – a feature that got us out of hot water, which I'll get to later.

There’s also a new 7.0-inch digital information display between the speedometer and tachometer, which provides trip data and safety alerts, such as the distance to the car ahead or the current speed limit via the handy traffic sign recognition.

One major update is the adaptive steering system, which combines a traditional hydraulic steering box with an electric motor. This motor not only powers lane-keep assist but also adjusts the steering weight for a more tailored driving feel.

At low speeds, the system is incredibly light, and at higher speeds it firms up. It’s similar to the adaptive steering found in many passenger cars, but in a truck it’s even more useful and makes low speed wheel work a breeze.

Other tech upgrades include a wet wiper system, where washer fluid is applied directly from the wiper blade to avoid overspray and improve visibility. It’s a small detail, but it shows Isuzu really has thought of everything.

This is where the F Series really shines, with a choice of three cracking powertrain options that are Euro 6 clean while offering loads of grunt.

Smaller F Series models are still offered with a four-cylinder engine producing 177kW, with the option of a six-speed manual or six-speed automated manual gearbox, but it’s the two six-cylinder engine options on offer that got us excited.

The FVR we tested features a new engine and it’s a ripper.

The new 6.7-litre six-cylinder DB6A engine, co-developed with Cummins but built at Isuzu’s Tochigi Engine Plant in Japan, is available with outputs of either 191kW/883Nm or 221kW/984Nm, and is exclusively mated to an Allison 3500 Gen 6 six-speed automatic.

Larger FX models are still powered by the brand’s 9.8-litre engine producing 259kW/1437Nm and backed by an Allison 4430 Gen 6 six-speed automatic.

It might not be as exciting as the new DB6A, but make no mistake, the now-Euro 6 compliant 9.8-litre donk is a powerhouse.

Stepping into the new F Series, the first thing you notice is how quiet, comfortable and refined it feels.

The DB6A engine has a pleasant rumble with minimal vibration, while the larger 9.8-litre is night-and-day over the old model – hushed by the SCR system and more refined than ever.

Low-speed steering is almost comically light at first, but firms up underway, making the F Series genuinely easy to drive. Lane keep assist, which is activated via a steering wheel button, takes a few minutes to engage, but when it does, it’s subtle – gently guiding you back into the lane without fighting the wheel.

Hats off to Isuzu; it’s one of the least intrusive systems I’ve tested.

Adaptive cruise is another highlight. You need to disable the engine brake to activate it, but once engaged, it cleverly uses the brake for smoother deceleration, tapping the service brakes only when needed.

All models now feature disc brakes with EBS, delivering consistent pedal feel across varying weights – a big improvement over the outgoing range.

The new Cummins-meets-Isuzu engine is a powerhouse. We tested both the 191kW and 221kW variants and can report that this engine is a seriously stout performer.

The DB6A pulls like a train, producing its peak 984Nm from just 1000rpm in 221kW guise, especially when coupled with the intuitive Allison automatic, it makes for strong performance when accelerating and decelerating.

Ride quality is excellent thanks to Hendrickson air suspension and the superb ISRI air seat, which filters out harshness. Even the seat deserves praise – it’s that good.

Other touches include bi-LED headlights with adaptive beam (untested here) and an onboard navigation system that saved us from a wrong turn – a big plus when Google Maps suggests roads trucks can’t use.

After a long run, I stepped out feeling fresh. The F Series has never been this good –comfortable, easy to drive, and packed with smart tech.

Hats off to Isuzu Trucks for raising the bar.

If you’re looking for a medium-duty rigid runner that is ready to be put straight to work, the FVL 260-300 6x2 Freightpack is hard to beat. For something slightly smaller, the FVD 170-260 12-pallet option is another winning pick.

Isuzu has taken its proven medium-duty formula and improved it in every measurable way, without losing sight of what made its F Series models popular in the first place.

It’s safer, more comfortable, and cleaner than ever before.

The Ready-To-Work models like the Freightpack mean you can put your truck to work the day you pick it up. What more could you ask for?

Price: $269,125 (including GST)  plus on-road costs
Engine: DB6A-TCC 6.7-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power: 221kW @ 2200rpm
Torque: 984Nm at 1000 to 2100rpm
Transmission: Allison 3500 Gen 6 six-speed automatic
GVM: 26,000kg
GCM: 32,000kg
Suspension: Taper leaf spring (front) / Hendrickson HAS460 airbag (rear)
Wheelbase: 6655mm
Fuel tank: 400L (diesel) and 65L (AdBlue)