2021 Hyundai NEXO
| Total MSRP | $60,120 |
|---|---|
| What others are paying | $60,331 |
- 4 Colors
- 2 Trims
2021 Hyundai Nexo Review
- 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
- Only available in select areas of California
- Limited availability of hydrogen
- Expensive
- Larger 10.25-inch digital instrument display replaces 7-inch display
- Part of the first Nexo generation introduced for 2019
Automakers are increasingly bullish on electric vehicles. Nearly every automaker now offers an EV or has announced plans to develop one. Some even plan to convert entire fleets to electric within 10 to 15 years. Still, EVs have their challenges: limited range, limited charging locations, lengthy charging intervals. Some automakers — Toyota, Honda and BMW among them — are hedging that hydrogen can be a viable gasoline replacement. With the 2021 Hyundai Nexo, you can count the South Korean carmaker among that number as well.
The Nexo is a crossover SUV that fits between the compact Hyundai Tucson and the midsize Santa Fe. The Nexo's size gives it more utility than its two primary sedan-based rivals, the Toyota Mirai and Honda Clarity, which cede a significant chunk of interior and cargo space to accommodate large hydrogen fuel tanks. The Nexo also rides higher off the ground, which should help its appeal with crossover and SUV fans.
Enhancing its forward-looking technology, the Nexo comes stocked with desirable comforts and safety features, such as heated seats, navigation, and Apple and Android smartphone integration. But you'll pay handsomely to drive the future because the Nexo is priced more like a luxury SUV than your typical Hyundai vehicle. You'll need to buy it in California, the only state where the Nexo is sold, and you'll also need to accept a limited hydrogen refilling network that makes long road trips impractical if not impossible.
The Clarity and Mirai also cost roughly the same, so there's no discount in the hydrogen game yet. Buyers inclined to sedans will find much to like in the Clarity and Mirai. The Mirai, in particular, has been thoroughly redesigned for 2021 and now looks more like a Camry than the slab-sided puffer fish of the former generation. Overall in this group, we like the Nexo for its SUV practicality. But the limits of hydrogen infrastructure confine the Nexo to a niche audience.
Which NEXO does Edmunds recommend?
Hyundai NEXO models
The 2021 Hyundai Nexo is a five-passenger crossover SUV that uses a hydrogen fuel cell and electric motor combination with 161 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. The Nexo comes in two trim levels: The base Blue model can travel up to 380 miles before its hydrogen tank needs to be refilled, while the top-trim Limited can go 354 miles. Standard features include:
2021 Hyundai NEXO pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $60,120
- 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./ 60000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 183.9 in. / Height: 64.2 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 73.2 in.
- Curb Weight: 3990 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 29.6 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite NEXO safety features:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Alerts if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Projects a camera view down the right side of the vehicle when the turn signal is activated.
- Lane Following Assist
- Warns if the vehicle is drifting out of its lane and corrects the steering to maintain its position.
Hyundai Nexo vs. the competition
2021 Hyundai Nexo
2021 Toyota Mirai
Hyundai Nexo vs. Toyota Mirai
Comfortable, quiet and well rounded, the Mirai is easy to live with day to day. It's quick enough to keep up with most traffic, and it drives like a standard-issue electric vehicle. You can also fill its hydrogen tank in about the same time as a regular gasoline tank. On the other hand, the Mirai offers meager cabin and trunk storage. The Mirai is fully redesigned for 2021 and now looks more like a Camry. It also costs less. You can read our impressions of living with a first-gen model in our long-term test of a 2016 Mirai.
Hyundai Nexo vs. Honda Clarity
The Honda Clarity rounds out the trio of today's available hydrogen-run fuel cell cars. Like the Mirai, the Clarity is a sedan-style passenger car and lacks the kind of cargo space that a crossover like the Nexo offers. We like the Clarity's roomy cabin and upscale materials, but not so much its soft, numb ride quality and its abysmal infotainment system. We drove a 2017 Clarity extensively for 36 months, so be sure to read our impressions if the Clarity is on your list.
Hyundai Nexo vs. Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y doesn't run on hydrogen — Tesla founder Elon Musk has called the technology "stupid" — but it's still an EV and carries plenty of eco and early adopter cachet. The Model Y's spacious interior offers more room and cargo space than the Nexo (a third row is optional), and its quick acceleration makes the Tesla more fun to drive. The Model Y is also more widely available, and you won't have to worry about hydrogen supply issues or a lack of hydrogen filling stations. For more about the Model Y, check out our long-term test of a Model Y Performance.
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FAQ
Is the Hyundai NEXO a good car?
What's new in the 2021 Hyundai NEXO?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Hyundai NEXO:
- Larger 10.25-inch digital instrument display replaces 7-inch display
- Part of the first Nexo generation introduced for 2019
Is the Hyundai NEXO reliable?
Is the 2021 Hyundai NEXO a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2021 Hyundai NEXO?
The least-expensive 2021 Hyundai NEXO is the 2021 Hyundai NEXO Blue 4dr SUV (electric (fuel cell) DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $58,935.
Other versions include:
- Blue 4dr SUV (electric (fuel cell) DD) which starts at $58,935
- Limited 4dr SUV (electric (fuel cell) DD) which starts at $62,385
