Anyone know why the non-North American Nxes are limited to 2000 pound tow capacity while the offshore models will tow 3500?

 

I don't know for sure but could it be that most other countries don't sell a non hybrid version, so could you be comparing the tow capacity of non hybrid vs. hybrid models?

 

Very interesting discovery. Looks like RX in europe is also rated for 2000KG (4400lb) towing...

I wonder why???

 

Metric pounds are smaller, maybe?

P.S.:

 

I had a look around at some other country Lexus sites out of curiosity and was surprised to see a lot of differences between countries. Perhaps they calculate towing capacity using these precision instruments by applying a modest amount of force to them and with some aerodynamic inputs the towing capacity is derived from the resulting positional contact with a special round scale.

 

The Australian NX 350h hybrid tows to 1500 kgs - 3500 lbs. https://www.lexus.com.au/models/buil...-Black-Prism/5

 

IME overseas, they tow a lot more with smaller cars than North Americans do. I almost wonder if car dealers do this on purpose to upsell?

Without a doubt I would refer an NX over the RX we have on order. Don't need all the space, just the higher towing capacity.

 

Is it possible that it's a regulatory issue? Maybe some kind of federal regulation around braking power or somesuch?

 

Which is weird because that is the rating for 350h, the 350 has a 1000kg rating in Australia. And that's weird because in the past Toyota would freak if you towed with your hybrid. The last two I had practically implied that warranty void if you tow, but now its like "No, tow more with your hybrid, not less".

It gets even weirder in NA (or at least according to the Canadian owner's manual). Technically, the "920kg" towing capacity is almost unreachable unless you have nothing else in your NX. The manual says the combination weight of both car and trailer must not exceed 2825kg. The curb weight is 1760-1800kg. That leaves just over 1000kg for everything else. Trailer, passengers, cargo, driver. So if towing a full weight trailer, no passengers, no cargo! Well, maybe if the driver isn't too hefty you can have 1 small child too.

 

I need just 2500 lbs. Argh. I mean I could ow (short distance only) but I would hate to get into a warranty issue esp. if the BCM "knows" I was towing overweight.

 

It has to do a lot with the highways speeds and things like stopping ability. We tend to drive at 70mp+ even with trailers (although a lot of states are 65/55mph limited with trailers - but who's really following that?). There's more to towing than just "does it have the power for it". Heck, even Toyota pulled a stunt with the Toyota Tundra pulling the space shuttle and I can guarantee that thing weighs more than 10,000lbs or whatever the tundra towing limits are. Alex On Autos did a good explanation of the towing limits here:

 

Highway speeds are significantly higher in much of Europe. Like Italy's Autostrada which is 130-140 kph and most drivers are doing 20-30 over that all the time. And the Autobahn? While I appreciate the link, I think there is more to it.

 

It has to do with the SAE J2807 standard.
US towing ratings are based on a pretty stringent test that requires the vehicle to prove that it can tow the rated load meeting the following minimum performance criteria:
- acceleration: 0-to-30 mph in less than 12 seconds, 0-to-60 mph in less than 30 seconds
- climb 3500 ft over 11 miles distance in 100 F heat with A/C at full power without overheating and maintaining at least 40 mph speed during the climb
- launch 5 times in a row on a 12 percent grade without overheating the transmission (or burning the clutch), and do it both forward and in reverse
- certain minimum handling standards (like understeer at certain lateral acceleration)
- stopping in less than 80 ft from 20 mph, as well as being able to keep the load at full GCWR on a 12 percent grade with parking brake only
.. and a few other.
Europe does not have such a strict standard. As a matter of fact, many European cars would fail the climb test even without a trailer.
Before J2807 it was a "jungle" leading manufacturers to make exaggerated towing capacity claims.

 

I think it has to do with towing speeds compared to the US. Same car built but they are not allowed to tow at higher speeds. I’m not sure if it’s correct but it’s what I have been told.

 

SAE J2807 Standard.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/15...-the-standard/