2025 Hyundai NEXO

Hydrogen fuel cell technology has a special advantage over battery-powered electric vehicles: It takes less time to refill hydrogen tanks than it does to recharge a battery, even under the best of conditions. About five minutes, as opposed to around 20 or 30 minutes on a DC fast charger. This might be academic for those who plug in their electric cars overnight, but there may be others who need to park their vehicles on the street or don’t have a charger in the parking structure of their apartment block. But they still want to stop using gasoline.

For Californians within reach of the relatively few places selling hydrogen, a fuel cell vehicle (FCV, or sometimes called FCEV for fuel cell electric vehicle) could be the answer. This is the only state where driving a hydrogen-powered vehicle is feasible, because it’s almost impossible to find hydrogen fuel anywhere else in the country. Most stations are clustered around the Bay Area and the greater Los Angeles/Orange County region. But a maximum range of 380 miles enables a Nexo to drive between the two.

Another FCV perk is that Hyundai provides up to $15,000 in free hydrogen for three years for lessees or up to six years for buyers. Plus 21 days of free car rental (seven days per year), for those occasions when an FCV isn’t feasible. Those who lease can also benefit from a federal tax credit of up $7,500. An FCV means solo use of the HOV (carpool) lane.

Putting all this stuff to one side for a moment, the Nexo is a well-equipped, well-executed compact SUV that’s a pleasure to drive. If you’ve weighed the pros and cons of owning a vehicle fueled by hydrogen and found it can work for you, the Hyundai Nexo is worth considering.

The Hyundai Nexo receives no meaningful changes for 2025.

We expect the 2025 Hyundai Nexo to start at around $63,000. That’s for the Blue version (available in other colors) which has the maximum range of 380 miles. The top Limited trim could begin at about $66,000. This model has a range of 354 miles.

These figures include both the estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and the factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

The Nexo’s sticker price doesn’t take everything into account, because Hyundai tends to offer incentives. Toyota has been known to offer similar incentives on the Toyota Mirai, which is the only other hydrogen fuel cell vehicle sold in the United States and another California exclusive.

Because the Nexo is built in South Korea, it doesn’t qualify for the federal government’s tax credit. But through something of a loophole, that $7,500 incentive can be passed along in a lease. Hyundai also gives Nexo buyers free hydrogen for up to six years with a $15,000 cap, as well as a free rental car for up to seven days a year for the first three years.

If your heart is set on the Nexo, we say go for the Limited trim. It’s the more popular of the two, bringing a hands-free powered tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, a premium Krell audio system, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The latter allows you to pull into or out of tight parking spaces from outside the Nexo using the key fob.

The Nexo’s electric motor develops 161 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of instantly available torque. However, the three drive modes are Comfort, Eco, and Eco+, a clear indication of the Nexo’s priorities. Other companies and EVs are plugging into the performance possibilities of electric propulsion, but the hydrogen fuel cell is more about efficiency and economy. That’s fine. After all, if the Nexo is going to be driven around Los Angeles or San Francisco, top speed is irrelevant.

The Nexo can run from standstill to 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds, which is on par with traditional gasoline-powered compact SUVs. For those who crave the immediate acceleration usually associated with electric vehicles, though, perhaps one of Hyundai’s EVs, a Tesla Model Y, or a Volkswagen ID.4 would be more suitable.

The Nexo Blue trim is capable of covering 380 miles between refills. The better-equipped Limited trim is heavier and estimated to achieve 354 miles. Either way, we think the Hyundai Nexo is easy to drive and maneuver, and the lack of an internal combustion engine means quiet progress. For comparison, the Toyota Mirai has ranges of 402 or 357 miles, depending on trim.

Fuel Economy

When no internal combustion engine is involved, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates fuel economy as MPGe — miles per gallon equivalent. In mixed city and highway driving, the Hyundai Nexo’s estimated mileage is 61 MPGe in Blue trim, or 57 MPGe in Limited trim. The entry-level Toyota Mirai XLE is rated at 74 MPGe; the top trim runs to 65 MPGe.

Occupant space in the Nexo is ample for a compact SUV. Rear legroom is a generous 38.6 inches. Cargo volume expands from an impressive 29.6 cubic feet behind the 60/40 split-folding rear seats to 56.5 cubic feet when the second row is folded down. Both in terms of rear-seat legroom and cargo capacity, the Nexo is on par with its EV competitors.

Both Nexo trims have seating surfaces of vegan-friendly simulated leather. We just hope vegans don’t mind holding a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Color choices for the interior are Stone Gray or Meteor Blue. A driver information display/instrument cluster, measuring 10.25 inches on the diagonal, adds to the overall futuristic look of the cabin and pairs well with the generously sized 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The center console is especially remarkable, since it’s a dual-level design. The top level has all the controls — lots of them, including buttons for the transmission — the lower level has space to stash a phone. We find the Nexo passenger environment quite comfortable, well organized and, of course, quiet.

We think the Hyundai Nexo is a good-looking addition to Hyundai’s SUV lineup. In our view, the styling is contemporary rather than futuristic. For example, comparing it to the current Hyundai Kona, the hydrogen-powered Nexo looks positively normal.

Dual-zone automatic climate control
Just because the Nexo is a rarity doesn’t mean it’s not as well equipped as any other Hyundai. For example, dual-zone climate control is included as a standard feature.

Smart cruise control
Yet another standard item. It adjusts speed automatically, braking to keep a safe distance to the vehicle ahead, then returning to the preset speed automatically when conditions allow. We’ve found Hyundai’s driver assistance features to work particularly well.

Heated front seats
Granted, heated seats aren’t a sought-after feature in Southern California. However, those in the northern part of the state really appreciate having a warmed seat on chilly mornings.

Ventilated front seats
A boon to dwellers in Southern California, these will get a workout during the summer season and beyond. They’re standard in the Limited trim.

Remote Smart Parking Assist
Another Limited feature, drivers can stand outside the Nexo and inch it into or out of a parking space using buttons on the key fob.

Wide sunroof
Standard in the Limited model, this powered sunroof helps make the cabin feel open and airy.

We argue that a hydrogen fuel cell makes a lot of sense as a way of energizing an electric motor. The quick refueling time and better-than-average range when compared to EVs are a winning combination in our book. However, the absence of hydrogen fueling stations across the United States, as well as most of California, is currently a nonstarter for most. We would like to see that change, but we’re not optimistic. In the meantime, the Nexo uses its hydrogen-fuel setup to spin a motor that generates 161 horsepower, going solely to the front wheels.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

Hyundai provides powertrain warranty coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. That goes for EV batteries and components as well. This is the best in the industry. At five years/60,000 miles, its bumper-to-bumper warranty is better than most mainstream marques. Hyundai also provides complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Nexo took the best scores of Good in an incomplete set of tests carried out by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Hyundai also equips the Nexo with a full array of advanced safety tech like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance.