Overview
There are two hydrogen gasoline cell electrical automobiles (FCEV) on sale within the U.S. in the mean time, the 2024 Hyundai Nexo compact crossover and the Toyota Mirai sedan. As a substitute of needing to be plugged in like extra widespread battery-electric automobiles (BEVs), an FCEV makes use of compressed hydrogen to create energy in a gasoline cell stack. The stack in flip powers a small battery—a lot smaller than the pack in a standard BEV—and that battery powers electrical drive motors. The good thing about an FCEV over a BEV is refill time: It takes round 5 minutes to prime off hydrogen tanks, akin to refilling a automotive with gasoline or diesel. Within the Nexo, this returns as much as 380 miles of emissions-free driving between refills. The draw back is the practically nonexistent nationwide hydrogen refueling infrastructure, so the Nexo and its Mirai counterpart are solely at present bought in California, the place about 63 hydrogen fueling stations exist. These stations are clustered within the Los Angeles and San Francisco locales so, even on the left coast, Nexo possession may nicely be too inconvenient for most individuals.
What’s New for 2024?
Hyundai’s solely made small modifications to the Nexo for 2024, a template adopted for the reason that Nexo’s 2019 debut. Each Blue and Restricted trims get a brand new activated charcoal filter and HVAC software program logic to assist cut back cabin odors. There are 4 Kind C USB ports now as an alternative of three Kind A ports, and the rear hatch positive factors privateness glass. On the paint palette, Titanium Grey Matte replaces Shimmering Silver. For the Restricted trim solely, the rear aspect home windows get one-touch up/down management.
Pricing and Which One to Purchase
The one selections patrons have with the Nexo are trim degree and exterior colour. The whole lot else is mounted. The bottom Blue trim comes with options like navigation, a digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, and help tech like blind-spot monitoring and ahead collision avoidance. The Restricted provides a heated steering wheel, ventilated seats, an extra-large sunroof, a hands-free energy liftgate, Hyundai’s blind-spot view monitor, a 360-degree digital camera, a distant parking function, and an upgraded Krell audio system. In our view, though the Nexo Restricted’s vary is 354 miles in comparison with the Nexo Blue’s 380 miles, the facilities justify the additional value for the Restricted.
EV Motor, Energy, and Efficiency
The Hyundai Nexo’s 95-kW fuel-cell stack and 40-kWh battery pack energy an electrical motor rated at 161 horsepower with 291 pound-feet of torque. The motor drives the entrance wheels by way of a single-speed gearbox; all-wheel drive just isn’t accessible. In our testing, the Nexo delivered a zero-to-60-mph results of 8.4 seconds, faster than the Mirai. This acceleration determine additionally places the hydrogen-fueled Hyundai in keeping with typical, gasoline-powered compact crossovers. As with its fuel-cell competitors, the Nexo just isn’t a thrill to drive. Nonetheless, its electrically assisted steering is appropriately tuned—on the sunshine aspect however with a gradual really feel. In our testing, the Nexo stopped from 70 mph in 169 toes, which is significantly better than the Toyota Mirai sedan.
Vary, Charging, and Battery Life
Cruising vary varies by trim. With a full load of 14 kilos (41 gallons) of compressed hydrogen throughout three tanks, the bottom Nexo Blue goes an estimated 380 miles. Within the Restricted, the added gear and 19-inch wheels (versus the Blue’s 17s) lower estimated vary to 354 miles.
Gas Economic system and Actual-World MPGe
The EPA’s MPGe rankings are barely completely different between the 2 Nexo trims. The Blue has a mixed score of 61 MPGe (65 metropolis/58 freeway), whereas the Nexo Restricted is rated at 57 MPGe (59 metropolis/54 freeway). When you discover a hydrogen station, refueling takes about 5 minutes. Anybody who buys a Nexo receives complimentary hydrogen gasoline for the primary six years or $15,000 price of gasoline (whichever comes first). If leasing a Nexo, the time interval drops to a few years. Hyundai additionally provides homeowners a free rental automotive for seven days per yr for longer journeys. For extra details about the Nexo’s gasoline financial system, go to the EPA’s web site.
Inside, Consolation, and Cargo
Inside area within the five-passenger 2023 Hyundai Nexo is on par with different compact crossovers. Adults match comfortably in entrance or again, there’s 30 cubic toes of cargo area behind the again seat, and folding the rear seats flat expands the load area to 57 cubic toes—near what the Hyundai Tucson provides. The entrance seats provide solely primary energy changes and are upholstered in vinyl. The controls are equally plain, however high-tech and environment friendly. There’s a widescreen show for digital devices and infotainment, and push-button controls for the transmission and HVAC. General, the Nexo cabin is a pleasing, easy, ethereal place to be, particularly with the bigger sunroof of the Restricted.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment interface is normal within the Nexo, appropriate with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are 4 Kind C USB ports and a pad for wi-fi smartphone charging. Hyundai’s Blue Hyperlink app provides much more digital options reminiscent of distant engine beginning (with seat preheating or pre-cooling), distant automotive finder, and a hydrogen-fuel station locator. Blue Hyperlink is complimentary for the primary three years.
Security and Driver-Help Options
Each Nexo features a forward-collision avoidance system with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping help, and adaptive cruise management. The Restricted provides the blind-spot digital camera show within the instrument panel. For extra details about the Nexo’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embrace:
- Commonplace adaptive cruise management
- Commonplace blind-spot monitoring
- Commonplace lane-keeping help
Guarantee and Upkeep Protection
Guarantee protection is a bit higher than on the Toyota Mirai, as their fuel-cell parts are assured for eight years or 100,000 miles. Hyundai’s ordinary 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee applies to the Nexo. The corporate additionally now provides complimentary scheduled upkeep that bests mainstream rivals reminiscent of Toyota.
- Restricted guarantee 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain guarantee covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary upkeep covers three years or 36,000 miles
Specs
Specs
2019 Hyundai Nexo Restricted
VEHICLE TYPE
front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$62,845 (base value: $62,845)
MOTOR TYPE
Induction AC, 161 hp, 291 lb-ft; 1.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
FUEL-CELL TYPE
proton-exchange membrane, 95 kW
TRANSMISSION
1-speed direct drive
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 12.6-in vented disc/11.9-in disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy Tour A/S, 245/45R-19 98W M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 109.8 in
Size: 183.9 in
Width: 73.2 in
Top: 64.2 in
Passenger quantity: 101 cu ft
Trunk quantity: 30 cu ft
Curb weight: 4059 lb
C/D
TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 8.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 44.7 sec
Rolling begin, 5–60 mph: 8.3 sec
High gear, 30–50 mph: 3.5 sec
High gear, 50–70 mph: 5.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.8 sec @ 79 mph
High pace (governor restricted, C/D est): 105 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 169 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY:
Mixed/metropolis/freeway: 57/59/54 MPGe
Vary: 354 mi
Extra Options and Specs
