Source type: MAC Uganda / Isuzu East Africa
Isuzu N-Series vs Toyota Starlet
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 N-Series
NHR 55E Cab Chassis 5MT
Diesel
5-Speed Manual
Current
UGX 125,000,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 59 kW
🔧 175 Nm
⛽ 4.5 km/l
VS
Toyota Starlet
1.5L Petrol AT DELUXE
Petrol
4-Speed Automatic
Current
UGX 98,000,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW
🔧 138 Nm
⛽ 12.5 km/l
Decision summary
Isuzu N-Series vs Toyota Starlet: the short answer
N-Series and Starlet are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Starlet starts UGX 27,000,000 cheaper
N-Series from UGX 125,000,000 · Starlet from UGX 98,000,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | N-Series | Starlet |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | N-Series59 kW @ 3600 rpm | Starlet77 kW @ 6000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | N-Series175 Nm @ 2000 rpm | Starlet138 Nm @ 4400 rpm |
| Engine Size | N-Series2771 cc | Starlet1462 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | N-Series4.5 km/l | Starlet12.5 km/l |
| Ground Clearance | N-Series180 mm | Starlet150 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
N-Series
Strengths
- Stronger listed safety equipment
- Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
- Less powerful engine setup
- Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:
Published Practicality
Starlet
Strengths
- More powerful engine output
- Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
- Fewer listed safety features
- Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:
Published Performance
Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
N-Series
- Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Starlet
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
- Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | N-Series | Starlet |
|---|---|---|
| Model Introduced Year | 2022 | 2022 |
| Generation | N-Series truck cab-chassis specification in MAC Uganda-linked Isuzu East Africa brochure; finished body specified separately | 1.5-litre Starlet revision introduced to Uganda in June 2023 |
| Facelift History | Current Uganda-listed generation; 2026 catalogue planning specification | Uganda nameplate launch in February 2022; 1.5-litre engine and revised body introduced in June 2023 |
| Facelift Launched Since | 2024 | 2023 |
| Facelift Version Ending | Current | Current |
| Body Style | Cab Chassis | Hatchback |
| Model Year | 2026 | 2023-on Uganda 1.5-litre range |
| Production Status | active | active |
| Segment | Light-duty commercial truck | Compact hatchback |
| Vehicle Type | Commercial truck chassis | Passenger car |
| Spec | N-Series | Starlet |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4590 mm | 3990 mm |
| Width | 1695 mm | 1745 mm |
| Height | 2095 mm | 1500 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2490 mm | 2520 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 180 mm | 150 mm |
| Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) | Not Officially Disclosed | 130 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 75 l | 37 l |
| Boot/Cargo Space | Not Applicable | 314 l |
| Kerb Weight | Not Officially Disclosed | 990 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 7500 kg | 1430 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 4500 kg | 440 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 3500 kg | 750 kg |
| Seating Capacity | 3 seats | 5 seats |
| Number of Rows | 1 rows | 2 rows |
| Doors | 2 doors | 5 doors |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 6.1 m | 5.1 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 N-Series and Starlet 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: N-Series 29 vs Starlet 35.
Efficiency index: N-Series 26 vs Starlet 52.
Safety-equipment index: N-Series 89 vs Starlet 85.
Practicality index: N-Series 73 vs Starlet 50.
Ownership-cover index: N-Series not separately scored vs Starlet 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
N-Series and Starlet image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Isuzu N-Series
View 8 more N-Series images
Toyota Starlet
View 8 more Starlet 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
N-Series leads by 0 points
N-Series and Starlet are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Evidence leader
55
/100
Lead
0
points
Data
59%
source coverage
55
#1
Evidence leader
N-Series
Performance
29
Efficiency
26
Safety
89
Practicality
73
Leads by 0 points
55
#2
Starlet
Performance
35
Efficiency
52
Safety
85
Practicality
50
Performance 24%
Safety 22%
Practicality 22%
Efficiency 17%
Ownership 15%
Category leaders
What moves the verdict
Performance
Starlet +6
Efficiency
Starlet +26
Safety
N-Series +4
Practicality
N-Series +23
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
N-Series
Performance
29/100
Efficiency
26/100
Safety
89/100
Practicality
73/100
Starlet
Performance
35/100
Efficiency
52/100
Safety
85/100
Practicality
50/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, N-Series leads. However, Starlet 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.
N-Series vs Starlet 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.