We haven’t been shy about the vehicles we admire here on Topspeed. The Lexus NX midsize SUV falls into that list. The arrival of the NX has given Lexus a model to compete against the likes of the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5. But if the company really wants to make a statement, a smaller version of the NX should be on the horizon, right?

Lexus Europe Vice President Alain Uyttenhoven spoke with Autocar about the possibility of a smaller Lexus SUV->ke145. He wasn't totally open but he also didn't shoot it down, leaving us hanging with nail-biting phrases like “not impossible” and “makes sense”.

The man clearly knows how to evade leading questions, even if it comes at our unfortunate expense. But if you read between the lines, there is reason to be optimistic. For one, Uyttenhoven didn’t completely deny the possibility of a smaller, NX-based SUV. We’re going to take that as a sign that Lexus->ke47 could be considering such a model in the future. For now, that's a "win" in our book

Lexus does have a real gem in the NX SUV, and If it can use that as a basis for a smaller version, there will be no shortage of competitors sweating out the model’s arrival. Models like the BMW X1->ke2474, the Audi Q3->ke2666, and the Mercedes-Benz GLA should all be worried if Lexus does release a competing model.

The ball, it seems, is in Lexus’ court. What it does with it could change the landscape of the luxury->ke505, compact SUV segment.

Note: Lexus NX pictured here.

Click past the jump to read more about Lexus NX.

Why It Matters

Lexus' goal of being more competitive against the likes of BMW->ke178, Audi->ke14, and Mercedes->ke187 will receive a tremendous boost with the arrival of the NX SUV. It's arguably the most impressive model the company has built not named the LF-A->ke2181. That's how highly people regard this bad-boy.

More importantly, a smaller version of the NX makes so much sense for Lexus if it adheres by its 'attack-and-conquer' battle plan. Even the current taste of the market, specifically in China, Japan, and Europe, is begging for downsized models.

So when you add all the pieces, a smaller version of the NX makes all the sense in the world.

Lexus NX

Have you seen the Lexus NX? It's downright gorgeous and a little bit mean-looking. Lexus has made some outstanding models in its current cycle but the NX still stands out from the rest of them.

The sharp and edgy front section not only adheres by the company's current design language, but does so while also making it look like it's about to steal our candies.

Meanwhile, the NX takes its power from a choice of three different engine options, including a naturally aspirated, 2.0-liter engine; a turbocharged, 2.0-liter engine; and a hybrid model that centers around a 2.5-liter drivetrain. Output numbers have yet to be announced but we expect the base model to have 175 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque under its hood, which is good enough to hit 60 mph in 8.5 seconds to go with a top speed of 124 mph.