Hyundai Nexo
The Hyundai Nexo was a compact crossover SUV that stood out for its hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, making it one of just two production fuel-cell vehicles available in America (the other is the Toyota Mirai). About the size of a Hyundai Tucson, the Nexo featured a single electric motor with a range of almost 400 miles on a tank of hydrogen. Two trims were available—Blue and Limited—and both came well equipped with an extensive standard feature list that included a full suite of advanced driver-assist systems. The standard 12.3-inch touchscreen display and 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster added a high-tech vibe to the roomy cabin.
Explore the evolution of the Hyundai Nexo
Get our expert take on used Hyundai Nexo models, or view year-by-year changes.
First generation Hyundai Nexo
The Nexo is Hyundai’s first production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle sold in America. With an electric drivetrain, it converts hydrogen to electricity via a fuel cell, providing better driving range and improved power without the need for large batteries or lengthy charging times. In addition to its eco-friendly powertrain, the Nexo uses an exterior paint based on soybean oil, bio-fabric based on bamboo thread, vegan synthetic leather trim, and bio-carpet made from extracted sugar cane.
The Hyundai Nexo features a single electric motor driving the front wheels. While it didn’t put out a lot of power (161 horsepower), it felt peppy thanks to the instant torque inherent in an electric motor. The fuel cell provided 95 kW, while the lithium-ion polymer battery added 40 kW. Filling up with hydrogen is as quick as pumping gasoline. Still, one of the limitations of a hydrogen fuel cell car is the infrastructure. With minimal hydrogen filling stations, the Nexo was only sold in California.
Model highlights
Clean hydrogen fuel cell operation
Eco-friendly materials
Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ standard
Available remote parking assist
10.25-inch digital driver display (added in 2021)
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2019 - 2023
2023 Hyundai Nexo
2022 Hyundai Nexo
2021 Hyundai Nexo
2020 Hyundai Nexo
2019 Hyundai Nexo
Perry Stern has been writing about cars for almost 30 years and has been an enthusiast for much longer than that. Contributing to multiple automotive publications, Perry drives almost every new car on the market, ranging from base-level Kias to exotic high-performance Lamborghinis. But his favorite is still the 2006 Mazda Miata parked in his garage.
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