Had my NX F Sport for a few months now. Love the way it rides, the seats are awesome but I'm going to say it. This car is dying for the V6. It would be perfect. My ES350 with the V6 really had some nice power, especially at the starting line. Pulling out in traffic was no issue. This 4 cylinder turbo, while nice, would do better in a lighter car. It has no bottom end. Toyota's V6 is a fantatstic engine. The 4 is just too small and consequently, my NX is anemic. I tried to convince myslef that it was okay, I tried to like it but I can't. That being said, there isn't anything out there that is reasonably priced that I like. The Acura RDX is too big and heavy, looks like the MDX and I'm just not a fan. The BMW X3 would be great but after a couple of years it's far too unreliable=expensive. Maybe I'll look at a used IS 300 AWD but I'd rather have a hatchback. Not sure anyone else feels their NX is underpowered.

On a related note, why in the world would Lexus detune it's V6 in the IS models..........

 

Maybe it's just me but I think the 8AR-FTS is more than capable if it wasn't so de-tuned coupled with that tiny turbo. I can barely get 15psi out of it, my buddy's GTI can hit 30psi off a hard pull in first and it rips, mindful that I'm comparing two different classes.

Thoughts on Audi Q5's? Thinking of one to replace my RX.

The only reason I can think of the IS detune is reliability and smoothness. I've seen the limit Toyota V6 blocks can take with Lotus, but those cars aren't the best in terms of reliability.

 

Car with 4cylinder turbo engine always seems deceivingly slower vs one with normally aspirated V6. V6 seems more powerful since its torque comes at the tap of gas pedal vs turbo engine that has turbo lag, short or not, that causes small delay.

However, not too many people complain about lack of power from V6 in RX350. I had RX and never felt it is underpower. In reality, NX with its engine just as fast or faster vs RX with V6.
https://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicl...-60-mph-times/

 

Hold off until the 2022 NX is refreshed with a plug-in hybrid just like the Rav 4. It has 300 horse power and 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. Just got behind me because i will be first in line. Has 42 mile all electric range which will take care of 80% of my driving.

 

The target buyer for the NX are single female or sometimes single male, married with no kids or just one kid and older empty nesters when their kids are on their own. There is very little demand for a 6 cylinder mini SUV. We will continue to see more and more car manufacturers dropping their 6 cylinder engine from their mainstream models, demand for bigger engine in a commuter car has gone the way of the manual transmission. Instead of a 6 cylinder engine, maybe upgrade the transmission to the 8 speed instead of 6, that might decrease the NX's 0-60 time down by about half of a second.

 

A pipe dream: 2GR V6 with Lotus-intended upgrade parts and a supercharger. The existing AWD U661F transmission ought to mate easily to it, since the Evora IPS uses the 2WD U660E. Since the RAV4 once came with the 2GR, engine mounts ought to be compatible as well.

Will it be worth it? Probably not. Will it be fun? I think so.

 

I have an NX200t and just ordered a Porsche Macan GTS with a 2.9l turbo v6 and 375hp....believe me, the 6 cylinder mini SUV isn't dead and WELL WORTH the money. Lexus needs to step up their game with powertrains.

 

Well, if we're doing comparisons... I prefer TT V8 650PS + 850Nm of the Urus.

 

Not exactly a fair comparison... There is always going to be better or faster but at an entirely different price point. For an entry level luxury compact SUV (with no particular sporting or off-road intentions), I think the NX strikes a fair balance. The Macan and certainly the Urus are in an entirely different price/performance category. They would be nice vehicles but this debate harkens back to that question someone previously asked, "if cost were no object, what vehicle would we purchase". The Urus would be right there at or near the top of my list, but I also like the idea of an electric. Hopefully some day the electrics will have the range to make them viable choices.

 

The Macan and NX are the same size at least and a low spec Macan can be had for the same money as a high priced NX. Even the base Macan 2l has more power than the NX and the wonderful 7 speed PDK gearbox, so there's some comparison to be made. The Urus is definitely in a different league all together though.

I'm not getting rid of my NX (my wife gets it as we no longer have our Rav4) and interestingly there are some nice aspects of the NX over the Macan. The NX is a bit quieter and the seats (in the F-Sport at least) are more comfortable. You can see the value in the NX and as a daily driver it's probably the better of the two vehicles...but the Macan, especially the GTS I ordered, is leaps and bounds better from a performance perspective.

 

That was exactly my point. There’s always something better/faster/etc. So no sense for someone even bringing up a Macan comparison in a NX forum. Macan is a marginal upgrade at best. Lexus knows exactly what they’re making and who their target is. No V6 is in the cards for the NX.

 

Marginal how? Have you driven one?

 

It just needs an easy tune. I am selling a BMS JB4 piggyback that will greatly improve the bottom end and make much more low end torque than the V6:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/market/955327

Even in stock form I am impressed with this engine. After buying the NX for my wife I traded in a 575hp V8 powered car for a GS200t and am very happy with it, especially with the extra boost from the tune. Her prior car was an ES350 and I prefer the power curve and low end torque of the 2.0t.

The tuner should add 30-40 hp and ft. lbs on the bottom end and you will feel every bit of it.

 

I've said the same thing since my wife bought the NX back in 2018. The engine should have been upped for power or a 6 cylinder. The 4 turbo charged is anemic and sounds horrible to me. If power was increased by 50-60hp I think it would be decent. As it sits now it's fine for normal driving but when you need to get on it, it just isn't there.

I wish we'd have at least an option to choose a larger engine, you can do that with MB on most of their SUV's. IE: Turbo 4 or a 6 cylinder or get the big daddy AMG. Getting an extra 100hp from a 6 cylinder to me is worth the the increase. I'd much rather have a naturally aspirated engine than a turbo charged one. My STi is turbo charged but it is not stock and from the factory/tune makes it quick. The NX just doesn't have enough pull to me.

I think Toyota missed the mark on this with the engine used. I could see it for the UX, which makes sense in a smaller SUV but the NX isn't light. I think the hybrid has even less power, no? I always thought it would have more torque and or power because of the batteries but I never test drove one to find out for sure. I DO hope in 2020 Toyota does in fact upgrade the power train and transmission for something higher output.

no1SomeGuy:
You are going to love the Macan GTS. We test drove one and I fell in love instantly. It's fun to drive and it gets up and goes, especially for being a SUV it's very surprising! Handles well for an SUV and typical Porsche quality throughout. I honestly think the GTS line is the best all around. You aren't paying Turbo prices, and you aren't getting base no option "Just to say you have a Porsche". GTS is that happy medium that looks good, and carries stuff from the turbo line down and you get a decent amount of options stock. Can't beat PDK. It's just fun! One reason we decided against it is that it's very cramped in the back seats. My head hits the ceiling (6'2), so having normal sized adults back there wouldn't be ideal. Plus after looking at the trunk area it's not huge. Not practical for our lifestyle.

-Nigel

 

Yup, I've driven the S several times and finally got some time in the GTS this past weekend before buying...the GTS now that it has a down rated engine from the turbo rather than an up rated engine from the S, is quite something and definitely the sweet spot. I added the premium plus package, PTV+, Sport Chrono, and a few other little odds and ends, so it's going to be quite well equipped. Back seats in the NX are nothing to write home about either, they're not even as good as our old Rav4 (a 2008 v6 limited) and we rarely use them, so it's no biggy on the Macan. Trunk space, the NX is near on identical to the Macan which is only 0.1 cubic feet smaller.