The Venerable Toyota 1NZ-FE: Old. Reliable. Tunable? - Toyota Yaris Forums

Thirty-Nine · 10-22-2015, 04:35 PM

Got to thinking about the 1NZ-FE engine and how old it is and some of the unfair criticism it gets, so I wrote a little bit about it on Subcompact Culture. I also got to talk to Jason Isley about his Yaris race car, which was great. Read on!

http://www.subcompactculture.com/201...nz-fe-old.html

NYC-SE · 10-22-2015, 05:37 PM

Interesting read. I researched this engine, and the Yaris in general, thoroughly before my purchase. I specifically chose the Yaris because it had the 1NZ-FE. I liked that it was a simple engine without too much new tech. I also liked that it had a history so I could see how it held up over the years. Consumer reports rates it as one of the most reliable models of Toyota's, which is also highly rated as a company for overall reliability. (CR hates the Yaris as a model though, but that is mainly over subjective things. The reliability ratings are based on hard data.)

I came from a 2010 VW Golf TDI. After that mess of unreliability the Yaris and the 1NZ-FE is a godsend.

Kalispel · 10-22-2015, 08:41 PM

I enjoyed reading that. Thanks!

It's a shame that Toyota never bothered to release a more-tuned version of of the 1NZ-FE for their S/SE offerings here in the states. I think that would have drawn more interest in the Yaris over the years, even at a higher price point on that particular trim-level.

Regardless, I love my 2015 Yaris SE, and its unassuming, yet mighty (in the ways that really matter) little 1NZ-FE mill.

---------------------

Spelling Nazi Side Note: In your article you spelled "bad rap" as "bad wrap".

LTHatch · 10-22-2015, 08:55 PM

The 1nzfe/5 speed has proven itself in my book, 30k+ of hard driving everyday and not a single hiccup. No oil burned, no issues with the transmission or engine. Wish Toyota would release a flash able ECU, that would change the whole Yaris landscape in the aftermarket.

BLKHILLSGUY · 10-24-2015, 10:45 PM

Sole reason why I bought the 15 Yaris SE was because of that engine.

invader166 · 10-25-2015, 03:08 PM

Also, let's not forget that the '04-'09 Prius was powered by a modified 1NZ power plant, anf look how successfull it's been over the years.

NYC-SE · 10-25-2015, 03:15 PM

The current Prius C has that same modified 1NZ.

yaris_1.5 · 06-02-2020, 08:32 PM

I have a 08 Yaris with 193k miles on the odo. I have had no problems with it besides the water pump as with all of them and the drive belt squels every now and then but I don't see why you wouldn't buy it

10-22-2015, 04:35 PM	#1
Thirty-Nine Small cars are a big deal View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,144	The Venerable Toyota 1NZ-FE: Old. Reliable. Tunable? Got to thinking about the 1NZ-FE engine and how old it is and some of the unfair criticism it gets, so I wrote a little bit about it on Subcompact Culture. I also got to talk to Jason Isley about his Yaris race car, which was great. Read on! http://www.subcompactculture.com/201...nz-fe-old.html __________________ Subcompact Culture: The Small car blog

10-25-2015, 03:08 PM	#6
invader166 Pumpman Drives: 2019 Kia Soul EV Base Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 434	Also, let's not forget that the '04-'09 Prius was powered by a modified 1NZ power plant, anf look how successfull it's been over the years. __________________ "I would rather loose by a mile in a car I built myself, then win by an inch in a car that was built for me." - Moog

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10-22-2015, 05:37 PM	#2
NYC-SE Drives: 2014 Yaris SE Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: NYC Posts: 1,076	Interesting read. I researched this engine, and the Yaris in general, thoroughly before my purchase. I specifically chose the Yaris because it had the 1NZ-FE. I liked that it was a simple engine without too much new tech. I also liked that it had a history so I could see how it held up over the years. Consumer reports rates it as one of the most reliable models of Toyota's, which is also highly rated as a company for overall reliability. (CR hates the Yaris as a model though, but that is mainly over subjective things. The reliability ratings are based on hard data.) I came from a 2010 VW Golf TDI. After that mess of unreliability the Yaris and the 1NZ-FE is a godsend.

10-22-2015, 08:41 PM	#3
Kalispel View User's Garage Drives: '15 Yaris SE 5MT Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Arizona (USA) Posts: 1,058	I enjoyed reading that. Thanks! It's a shame that Toyota never bothered to release a more-tuned version of of the 1NZ-FE for their S/SE offerings here in the states. I think that would have drawn more interest in the Yaris over the years, even at a higher price point on that particular trim-level. Regardless, I love my 2015 Yaris SE, and its unassuming, yet mighty (in the ways that really matter) little 1NZ-FE mill. --------------------- Spelling Nazi Side Note: In your article you spelled "bad rap" as "bad wrap".

10-22-2015, 08:55 PM	#4
LTHatch Drives: 2013 Yaris Hatchback L Join Date: May 2013 Location: Newark NJ Posts: 229	The 1nzfe/5 speed has proven itself in my book, 30k+ of hard driving everyday and not a single hiccup. No oil burned, no issues with the transmission or engine. Wish Toyota would release a flash able ECU, that would change the whole Yaris landscape in the aftermarket.

10-24-2015, 10:45 PM	#5
BLKHILLSGUY Drives: 2011 3dr LB Polar White Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Black Hills of South Dakota Posts: 344	Sole reason why I bought the 15 Yaris SE was because of that engine.

10-25-2015, 03:15 PM	#7
NYC-SE Drives: 2014 Yaris SE Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: NYC Posts: 1,076	The current Prius C has that same modified 1NZ.

06-02-2020, 08:32 PM	#8
yaris_1.5 I've made a post! Drives: 2008 Toyota Yaris Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Canada Posts: 1	I have a 08 Yaris with 193k miles on the odo. I have had no problems with it besides the water pump as with all of them and the drive belt squels every now and then but I don't see why you wouldn't buy it