Source type: MAC Uganda / Isuzu East Africa
Isuzu F-Series vs Toyota Hiace/Commuter
A proper head-to-head in Uganda — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Isuzu F-Series
FRR 33LR 4x2 Cab Chassis 6MT
Diesel
6-Speed Manual
Current
UGX 285,000,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 129 kW
🔧 461 Nm
⛽ 4.5 km/l
VS
Toyota Hiace/Commuter
Hiace Bus 2.5L 15-Seats MT DLX
Diesel
5-Speed Manual
Current
UGX 189,600,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW
🔧 260 Nm
⛽ 12.5 km/l
Decision summary
Isuzu F-Series vs Toyota Hiace/Commuter: the short answer
F-Series and Hiace/Commuter are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Hiace/Commuter starts UGX 95,400,000 cheaper
F-Series from UGX 285,000,000 · Hiace/Commuter from UGX 189,600,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | F-Series | Hiace/Commuter |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | F-Series129 kW @ 2800 rpm | Hiace/Commuter75 kW @ 3600 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | F-Series461 Nm @ 1700 rpm | Hiace/Commuter260 Nm @ 1600-2400 rpm |
| Engine Size | F-Series8226 cc | Hiace/Commuter2494 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | F-Series4.5 km/l | Hiace/Commuter12.5 km/l |
| Ground Clearance | F-Series195 mm | Hiace/Commuter195 mm |
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Source type: Toyota Uganda/CFAO specifications; user-supplied estimates for remaining fields
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
F-Series
Strengths
- More powerful engine output
- Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
- Lower fuel efficiency
- Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:
Published Performance
Hiace/Commuter
Strengths
- Better fuel efficiency
- Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
- Less powerful engine setup
- Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:
Published Efficiency
Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
F-Series
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
- Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Hiace/Commuter
- Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | F-Series | Hiace/Commuter |
|---|---|---|
| Model Introduced Year | 2022 | 2023 |
| Generation | F-Series truck chassis in MAC Uganda-linked September 2017 Isuzu East Africa specification brochure; confirm exact build and body on order | Current Uganda-market Hiace passenger-bus generation |
| Facelift History | Current Uganda-listed generation; 2026 catalogue planning specification | No local facelift confirmed |
| Facelift Launched Since | 2024 | Original current-generation version |
| Facelift Version Ending | Current | Current |
| Body Style | Cab Chassis | Small bus |
| Model Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Production Status | active | active |
| Segment | Medium-duty commercial truck | Passenger transport minibus |
| Vehicle Type | Commercial truck chassis | Passenger minibus |
| Spec | F-Series | Hiace/Commuter |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 8170 mm | 4700 mm |
| Width | 2200 mm | 1780 mm |
| Height | 2550 mm | 1980 mm |
| Wheelbase | 4850 mm | 2570 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 195 mm | 195 mm |
| Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) | 195 mm | 170 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 200 l | 70 l |
| Boot/Cargo Space | Not Applicable | 1000 l |
| Kerb Weight | Not Officially Disclosed | 1833.88 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 9900 kg | 3050 kg |
| Payload Capacity | Not Officially Disclosed | 1110 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 3500 kg | 750 kg |
| Seating Capacity | 2 seats | 15 seats |
| Number of Rows | 1 rows | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Doors | 2 doors | 4 doors |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 6.1 m | 5 m |
| Front Headroom | 1030 mm | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Headroom | Not Applicable | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Front Legroom | 1020 mm | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Legroom | Not Applicable | Not Officially Disclosed |
In depth: how these cars differ
This F-Series and Hiace/Commuter comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for Uganda. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: F-Series 58 vs Hiace/Commuter 43.
Efficiency index: F-Series 26 vs Hiace/Commuter 54.
Safety-equipment index: F-Series 89 vs Hiace/Commuter 44.
Practicality index: F-Series 63 vs Hiace/Commuter 81.
Ownership-cover index: F-Series not separately scored vs Hiace/Commuter not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
F-Series and Hiace/Commuter image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Isuzu F-Series
View 8 more F-Series images
Toyota Hiace/Commuter
View 8 more Hiace/Commuter images
Specification Evidence Index
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence-index readout
F-Series leads by 6 points
F-Series and Hiace/Commuter are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Evidence leader
61
/100
Lead
6
points
Data
56%
source coverage
61
#1
Evidence leader
F-Series
Performance
58
Efficiency
26
Safety
89
Practicality
63
Leads by 6 points
55
#2
Hiace/Commuter
Performance
43
Efficiency
54
Safety
44
Practicality
81
Performance 24%
Safety 22%
Practicality 22%
Efficiency 17%
Ownership 15%
Category leaders
What moves the verdict
Performance
F-Series +15
Efficiency
Hiace/Commuter +28
Safety
F-Series +45
Practicality
Hiace/Commuter +18
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
F-Series
Performance
58/100
Efficiency
26/100
Safety
89/100
Practicality
63/100
Hiace/Commuter
Performance
43/100
Efficiency
54/100
Safety
44/100
Practicality
81/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, F-Series leads. However, Hiace/Commuter may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in Uganda.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related Uganda models and comparable body styles.
F-Series vs Hiace/Commuter questions
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in Uganda on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.