There’s always interesting stuff hiding out around automakers’ lots. Sometimes it’s well-preserved old stuff, sometimes it’s cars made for other markets, and sometimes it’s brand new rarities. The new Hyundai Nexo is a compact crossover, the de facto form for a new car in 2025, yet most of us probably won’t see one out in public. That’s because it runs on hydrogen.
You know, the most common element in the universe, yet one with a serious infrastructure build ahead of it. While hydrogen fuel cells have future promise in long-distance freight and other applications where battery electric power simply isn’t practical, they haven’t enjoyed an easy past 20 years or so. From hydrogen shortages in California to per-kilogram pricing high enough to result in a black market, the road to hydrogen electric vehicles is a slow and steady path. Despite these setbacks, there are still hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the market, and the new Nexo is one of the more interesting ones.
Granted, it’s not a powerhouse like some of today’s dual-motor EVs. A 110 kW hydrogen fuel cell, an 80 kW battery pack, and a 150 kW electric motor combine forces to promise zero-to-62 mph in a modest 7.8 seconds. Hydrogen fuel tank capacity is up over the previous generation Nexo by 360 grams to 6.69 kilograms, and range for the Korean Domestic Market model climbs to more than 435 miles. Solid, if not jaw-dropping stuff, but one of the neatest parts of the Nexo is how it looks.
Right off the bat, the Nexo is funky with a capital F. The recessed strips down the flanks, the huge pixel-like lighting elements, the unusual silhouette, it all adds up to a distinct look. When it was first unveiled in renderings, it drew some Aztek comments but in the metal, it never quite manages any full Pontiac comparisons, partly because of the roofline and partly because of the quarter panel detailing. Although it doesn’t look it, the roof of the new Nexo is surprisingly flat, and the roofline doesn’t start to dip until well after the rear axle, while the whole quarter panel has this unusual rhombus detailing that really stands out.
Also, we need to talk about the two-tone here because it’s unlike anything I’ve seen on a mainstream crossover in eons. Two neutral tones, one warm and one cool, but distributed in fascinating ways. While most of the coachwork adopts the cooler tone, the entire rear of the Nexo, along with the door handles, the mirrors, and the front bumper. It’s the sort of thing that’s easy to get wrong, yet I reckon it totally works here.
I’m also a fan of the front end on the Nexo, which almost feels like a mix of old and new. The chunky individual lighting elements, large blacked-out headlight bezel, and separate turn signal assemblies feel like a nod to the classics, while the actual lighting technology, the air curtains, and the giant H on the valence are all right on the zeitgeist. Seeing it in person was so much realer than the initial renderings from the global debut, and I’m thankful Hyundai Canada let me snap some pics to show you.
Will I ever see the next Nexo in public? You know, it’s possible. Lester B. Pearson International Airport has a hydrogen filling station, and I’ve seen hydrogen vehicles lurking around there before. However, that’s an anomaly. Most places in North America have no hydrogen infrastructure, so consider this a look at something most people will rarely see. Low-volume cars often allow styling departments to take risks, and the Nexo is boldly unconventional, yet compellingly styled. So, if you live near a hydrogen station, keep your eyes peeled. The roads near you are about to get weirder and better.
Top graphic image: Thomas Hundal
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Saw my first Nexo sitting alone and unloved, out in a distant corner of a Hyundai dealer’s lot years ago, when I was shopping/test driving with my sister for her first new car. I inspected the (silver?) Nexo window sticker, scratched my chin, thought about what I’d read of it (not a lot back then), moaned about how bright and annoyingly reflective the huge silvery center console was, and scoffed a bit at the price tag (I seem to recall it being in the area of $60K, but some of that might have been an optimistic dealer’s markup).
We drove the first-year Venue in both automatic and manual (!) versions. I liked it more than she did, especially with a stick (she didn’t/doesn’t drive stick). She wound up buying a last-year’s model Elantra GT (the hatchback one that we got here, not the nicer i20 one they have in Europe) for $16K and change, which was a decent deal at the time (though it cost me a full half-day, what with all the usual SNL-sketch-worthy dealer bullshit).
There are a handful of Toyota Mirais in my area, and the second-gen ones are genuinely handsome in person. I’ve never even sat in one, let alone driven it, but I assume that it drives pretty much like the EV it is.
I’m glad that Hyundai makes the Nexo, and I’m really glad that it’s so weird (I didn’t even notice the two-tone paint until you mentioned it Thomas) and I’m fairly positive that Hyundai will sell/lease very few of them, as was the case with the first gen Nexo.
But I’m still glad they exist. 🙂
If Toyota/Honda/Hyundai actually want to make Hydrogen a thing, they REALLY need to stop thinking about the infrastructure in the same way as with ICE engines. i.e. “We’ll build the cars, someone else will build the infrastructure.”
They need to build/own the infrastructure. It’s the one thing Tesla definitely got right.
The infrastructure’ll come just in time for EV home charging to have become enough of a norm that people will think of going to a fueling station while only commuting and running in-town errand as being as old fashioned as feeding the horse when you’re not taking it out
Why would they bring a new hydrogen car to market? I genuinely don’t understand
Hyundai needs to learn 3 things:
1) I believe that it was Coco Chanel who once said that, with regards to accessories, before going out one should look in the mirror and remove one item. Similarly, Hyundai should remove SEVERAL design features from every model
2) They need to screen their design interns and make sure they aren’t hiring people who “Valid Criticism/Weird Nerd” ‘d for Cyberpunk 2077
3) For the LOVE OF GOD, change their key fob so that it doesn’t look like a shitty after-market model from the late 90’s. Seriously, I just picked up a rental Sonata with less than 1,000 miles on it, and the key is twice as big as any other fob, and is matte silver/black rubberized plastic with the buttons shaped and laid out so it forms the Hyundai logo. https://images.app.goo.gl/E9BBe
Curious that this has North American-style side marker lights. The Korean spec model that was on the showroom floor at the Seoul Mobility Show did not have these lights which makes me think it’s actually plausible that Hyundai will attempt to sell it in California.
Are they going to open their own hydrogen filling stations? Haven’t they all closed even in CA?
Chevron opened up a new hydrogen fueling station in Southern California this past week. $35.59/kg or $238.00 for a full tank, 438 mile range.
That does not interest me.
(I meant the car with that refueling price. Not that there is a new station and the cost of refueling.)
Stop trying to make ‘Hydrogen’ happen.
“That’s because it runs on
hydrogenSTUPID”There… fixed it for accuracy.
In light of growing BEV sales, BEV tech advances and the BEV tech being vastly cheaper and far more available not just in terms of the vehicles, but also the infrastructure, WHY do automakers insist on carrying on with this GODFORESAKEN DEAD END TECH???
Did the oil industry send the upper execs at Hyundai a pallet of cash, an armada of hookers and barrels of blow or something? I can see how that conversation might have gone…
Hyundai: “No more!!! This Hydrogen shit is stupid!!! It’s a compete fucking waste of time and money!!”
Saudis/Oil Industry: “Alllriigght… I hear you. I HEAR YOU. But look… just one more favour. Oh look… Here’s Candy! You remember Candy Kahuna from last time, right? Oh look at that… she’s holding a big bowl… wonder what’s in that bowl? Oh and here’s Brandi… and she has a box full of your favourite Cubans and a bottle of Glenlivet.”
Hyundai: “I dunno… “
Saudis/Oil Industry:”Oh and check your phone… you just got an e-transfer… “
Hyundai: “FINE… we’ll do one more of those hydrogen jobs for you…
The Nexo feels like a sunk cost fallacy that you can actually drive.
Aztek vibes going on here.
Fortunately only from the A-pillar back. The Aztek’s face is one of its worst features and this Nexo has a much more likable face. Also, the proportions on the side view aren’t nearly as awkward as the Aztek. But yeah, the side indentations are reminiscent of the Aztek’s cladding and the C-pillar+cargo window are definitely Azteky.
I don’t think the two tone works here, it just looks like they didn’t have good lighting when grabbing parts.
We need EV conversion kits for these lot anchors.
Chevron just opened up a new hydrogen fueling station in Southern California. Current price of $35.59/kg. $238.00 for a full tank, which gets you a 438 mile range.
That’s crazy. But at least you’re making the world a better place? If you can afford it? I guess…?
It’s certainly an interesting looking vehicle, would probably make a lot more sense as a phev or full ev. Hydrogen is cool but the tech really never took off.