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- Highs Impressive cruising range, spacious interior, lengthy warranty to back up the exotic technology.
- Lows Priced higher than normal crossovers, dull to drive, sparse California-only network of hydrogen stations.
- Verdict If you're ready to take on the challenge of owning a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the Nexo is your best bet.
Overview
Rare and offbeat among small crossovers, the 2020 Hyundai Nexo is the lone hydrogen fuel-cell crossover sold in the United States. Sales, however, are limited to California, the only state with a network of hydrogen-fueling stations. The Nexo is priced and sized to compete directly with the hydrogen-fueled version of the Honda Clarity and the Toyota Mirai, which are sedans. With the Hyundai's clear advantage in cargo capacity versus these two, it's likely the most rational choice in this class of three.
What's New for 2020?
Changes are few to the 2020 Hyundai Nexo. The base Blue model gets a cargo cover and rear privacy glass, and the Limited gets rain-sensing wipers.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
There are no factory options on the 2020 Nexo. The main difference between the two trims is that the Limited offers more luxuries, including a hands-free power liftgate, an extra-large sunroof, ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, Hyundai's blind-spot view monitor, a 360-degree camera, a remote parking feature, and an upgraded Krell audio system. In our view, these amenities justify the extra cost for the Limited.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The Hyundai Nexo's 95-kW fuel-cell stack and 40-kWh battery pack power an electric motor rated at 161 horsepower with 291 lb-ft of torque. The motor drives the front wheels through a single-speed gearbox; all-wheel drive is not available. In our testing, the Nexo delivered a zero-to-60-mph result of 8.4 seconds. That's quicker than the Mirai, but a bit slower than the fuel-cell Clarity. This acceleration figure also puts the hydrogen-fueled Hyundai in step with conventional, gasoline-powered compact crossovers. As with its fuel-cell brethren, the Nexo really isn't thrilling to drive. Still, its electrically assisted steering is appropriately tuned—on the light side but with a steady feel. And in our testing, the Nexo stopped from 70 mph in 169 feet, which is much better than the hydrogen-fueled Clarity or the Mirai.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
Cruising range varies by trim, and the base Nexo Blue has an estimated range of 380 miles. With its added equipment and 19-inch wheels (versus the Blue's 17s), the heavier Limited has a lower range estimate of 354 miles.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The EPA's MPGe ratings are also slightly different between the two Nexo trims. The Blue has a combined rating of 61 MPGe (65 city/58 highway), while the Nexo Limited is rated at 57 MPGe (59 city/54 highway). Once you find a hydrogen station, refueling takes about five minutes. Anyone who buys or leases a 2020 Nexo receives complimentary hydrogen fuel for the first three years or $13,000 worth of fuel (whichever comes first).
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Interior space in the five-passenger 2020 Hyundai Nexo is on par with other small crossovers. Adults will fit comfortably up front or in the back seat. There's a useful 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, and folding the rear seats flat nets 57 cubic feet, which is close to what the Hyundai Tucson offers. Otherwise, the Nexo's cabin bears little resemblance to the rest of the Hyundai lineup with its two-spoke steering wheel, digital instrument panel, and push-button transmission controls. The front seats offer only basic power adjustments but are upholstered in vinyl. Overall, it's a pleasant, airy place to be, especially with the larger sunroof of the Limited.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment interface is standard in the Nexo, and it includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Additional connected features are available with Hyundai's Blue Link app, which offers remote engine starting (with seat preheating or pre-cooling) and a hydrogen-fuel station locator. Blue Link is complimentary for the first three years. There are two USB charge ports (though only one supports data transfer) and a wireless smartphone-charging pad.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not released crash-test ratings on the Hyundai Nexo, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named it a Top Safety Pick+. A suite of driver-assistance features is standard on every 2020 Nexo and includes a forward-collision avoidance system with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited adds the blind-spot camera display in the instrument panel. Key safety features include:
- Standard adaptive cruise control
- Standard blind-spot monitoring
- Standard lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Warranty coverage is a bit better than on the fuel-cell Honda Clarity and the Toyota Mirai, as their fuel-cell components are guaranteed for eight years or 100,000 miles. Hyundai's usual 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty applies to the 2020 Nexo. The company also now offers complimentary scheduled maintenance that bests mainstream rivals such as Toyota.
- Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
