2023 Hyundai NEXO
MSRP range: $60,135 - $63,585 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
2023 Hyundai NEXO Review
Pros
- Promises 350-plus miles of range from a five-minute hydrogen fill-up
- Smooth and silent drive qualities of an electric vehicle
- Practical SUV-like body style
- Upscale, high-tech interior
Cons
- Only available in select areas of California
- Limited availability of hydrogen
- Expensive (but Hyundai frequently offers great deals)
What's new
- No significant changes for 2023
- Part of the first Nexo generation introduced for 2019
Overview
Imagine driving an electric vehicle that you refuel at a station in about five minutes instead of recharging at home overnight. You can own such a vehicle now if you live in certain parts of California equipped with the infrastructure necessary to support hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. It is called the 2023 Hyundai Nexo.
The Nexo is a crossover SUV about the size of a Hyundai Tucson. It uses a fuel cell to convert hydrogen into electricity, which powers an electric motor making 161 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. The byproduct of the process is water vapor, which the Nexo emits from its exhaust system. Depending on the trim level, the 2023 Nexo supplies up to 380 miles of driving range on a full tank.
There are two fuel cell electric vehicles available. In addition to the Nexo crossover, Toyota sells the Mirai sedan. Both are surprisingly upscale in appearance, quality, features and technology. For example, the Nexo's interior has a standard 10.25-inch digital instrumentation display paired with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system for a high-tech look, and a Krell premium audio system is available. You can also get a remote parking assistance feature that autonomously drives the Nexo into parking spaces while you're standing outside of the SUV.
Naturally, the Nexo's generous list of standard equipment, high-tech features and futuristic powertrain require you to pay a premium. However, Hyundai provides you with three years and up to $15,000 in complimentary hydrogen fuel, and for road trips, you can rent a car for free for up to seven days each year during the first three years of ownership. In addition, up to $4,500 in California state rebate money is available, and Hyundai frequently offers discounts to make the Nexo more appealing. The Nexo also qualifies for single-occupant use of carpool lanes.
Still, fuel cell vehicles are rare, and so are the refueling stations that stock hydrogen. As long as you're remaining local to California's urban centers and live a predictable lifestyle, the Hyundai Nexo is a compelling alternative to a traditional EV.
Which NEXO does Edmunds recommend?
The base price of a Nexo is over $60,000, so you might as well spend a few grand more to get the top Limited trim. It gives up some driving range in exchange for larger 19-inch wheels, but it also adds amenities like a hands-free liftgate, a power sunroof, ventilated front seats, a Krell premium sound system and extra driver assist tech.
Hyundai NEXO models
The 2023 Hyundai Nexo is a five-passenger front-wheel-drive crossover SUV available in Blue and Limited trim. Both versions use a hydrogen fuel cell and electric motor drivetrain producing 161 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. The Nexo Blue can travel up to 380 miles on a full tank of hydrogen fuel, while the Limited can go 354 miles. Standard features include:
Helpful shopping links
Features & Specs
- Pricing
- Total MSRP: $61,470
- Federal EV Tax Credit: Not available Based on income
- MPG & Fuel
- Electric + Gas (Combined City & Hwy): 61 MPGe
- EPA Battery & Range
- EPA Electricity RangeThis value is the estimated number of miles that a vehicle can travel in combined city and highway driving (using a mix of 55% highway and 45% city driving) before needing to be recharged, according to the EPA's testing methodology.: 380 mi.
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: 1-speed direct drive
- Engine
- Horsepower: 161 hp
- Torque: 291 lb-ft
- Basic Warranty
- 5 yr./ 60,000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 183.9 in. / Height: 64.2 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 73.2 in.
- Curb Weight: 3,990 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 29.6 cu.ft.
Compare the Hyundai NEXO
Hyundai NEXO vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5
In addition to the Nexo, Hyundai sells another electric-drive crossover SUV called the Ioniq 5. Like the Nexo, it seats five and is about the size of the automaker's Tucson model, but it has a conventional battery-electric propulsion system and rear- or all-wheel drive. It can travel over 300 miles on a full charge and can recharge to 80% capacity in about 20 minutes using a DC ultra-fast-charging station. The Ioniq 5 is substantially less expensive, too, and has an arresting style unlike anything else on the road. Unless you're married to the idea of owning a fuel cell vehicle, the Ioniq 5 is the way to go.
Hyundai NEXO vs. Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid
If you're not ready to fully commit to an electric-drive vehicle, you might want to consider the Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid. It offers 33 miles of electric driving before its turbocharged gasoline engine starts up to carry you the rest of the way to your destination. You don't need to worry about public charging or finding a hydrogen station because you can recharge this vehicle using a standard household outlet. All you need is a little patience. The Tucson PHEV is also less expensive to buy than either the Nexo or the Ioniq 5.
Hyundai NEXO vs. Toyota Mirai
The only fuel cell-powered alternative to the Nexo is the Toyota Mirai. This rear-wheel-drive midsize sedan offers a little more driving range, from 357 miles to 402 miles depending on the trim level. But the Mirai also has a couple of problems that do not afflict the Nexo. The first is a cramped back seat. The second is a small 9.6-cubic-foot trunk compared to the Nexo's 29.6 cubes. However, if you live on Oahu and want to drive a fuel cell vehicle, the Mirai is your only choice because the Nexo is California-only.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite NEXO safety features:
- Lane Following Assist
- Steers to keep the vehicle in the center of its lane as long as the driver is holding the steering wheel.
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Shows a camera-based view of vehicles in the Nexo's blind spots on the instrument panel when using the turn signal.
- Surround View Monitor
- Provides a 360-degree view of the Nexo and its surrounding to make maneuvering easier.
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FAQ
Is the Hyundai NEXO a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 NEXO both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 NEXO gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 5 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the NEXO has 29.6 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Hyundai NEXO. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Hyundai NEXO?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Hyundai NEXO:
- No significant changes for 2023
- Part of the first Nexo generation introduced for 2019
Is the Hyundai NEXO reliable?
To determine whether the Hyundai NEXO is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the NEXO. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the NEXO's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Hyundai NEXO a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Hyundai NEXO is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 NEXO gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 5 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 NEXO is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Hyundai NEXO?
The least-expensive 2023 Hyundai NEXO is the 2023 Hyundai NEXO Blue 4dr SUV (electric (fuel cell) DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $60,135.
Other versions include:
- Blue 4dr SUV (electric (fuel cell) DD) which starts at $60,135
- Limited 4dr SUV (electric (fuel cell) DD) which starts at $63,585
What are the different models of Hyundai NEXO?
If you're interested in the Hyundai NEXO, the next question is, which NEXO model is right for you? NEXO variants include Blue 4dr SUV (electric (fuel cell) DD), and Limited 4dr SUV (electric (fuel cell) DD). For a full list of NEXO models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more