ɐkˈoːɹdɪŋ tʊ ɐ klædˈɪstɪk ɐnˈæləsˌɪs pɚfˈɔːɹmd baɪ ðə dᵻskɹˈaɪbɚz, nænjˈɑːŋəsˈɔːɹəs wʌzɐ bˈeɪsəl mˈɛmbɚɹ ʌvðɪ ˈɪɡjuːˌænədˌɔnʃə, mˈoːɹ dᵻɹˈaɪvd ðɐn pɹˌoʊbɐktɹəsˈɔːɹəs ænd klˈoʊsli ɹᵻlˈeɪɾᵻd tə ðə hˈædɹəsˌɔːɹɔɪdˌiə.
According to a cladistic analysis performed by the describers, Nanyangosaurus was a basal member of the Iguanodontia, more derived than Probactrosaurus and closely related to the Hadrosauroidea.