2020 Hyundai NEXO Review

　　

2020 Hyundai Nexo Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　While automakers are generally betting big on electric vehicles, EVs do have their limitations. The biggest challenge is convenience. If you don't have a charging station at home, you have to find a public station and wait while your car recharges. Several automakers are eyeing hydrogen as a gasoline replacement, and the 2020 Hyundai Nexo is the latest fuel cell vehicle to enter the fray.

　　The Hyundai Nexo is a small crossover that slots between the Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe in terms of size. The SUV-like layout helps mitigate the cargo storage issue that limits the appeal of its two main hydrogen-powered competitors, the Honda Clarity and Toyota Mirai. Both are sedans and lose a lot of cargo space because of their hydrogen fuel tanks. The Nexo also has an elevated ride height that might appeal to you if you like SUVs.

　　Our main issues with Nexo relate more the limitations of the hydrogen network itself. In our testing of both the Clarity and the Mirai, we've experienced our share of setbacks that make us question the practicality of a hydrogen car at this time. The limited number of fueling stations means it's impossible to take an extended road trip from Los Angeles to anywhere except the Bay Area or San Diego. We've also seen stations run out of fuel, so you'll have to live near more than one station in case there's a hiccup in the pipeline.

　　Overall, we like the Nexo and appreciate its enhanced practicality compared to the Clarity and Mirai. But the nascent nature of the hydrogen infrastructure limits the Nexo's appeal to a niche audience.

　　

Which NEXO does zzdcar recommend?

Since you're already paying a hefty premium for the Nexo's advanced powertrain, it's worth spending a little extra for the Limited. It comes with every safety feature in Hyundai's playbook, plus a few quality-of-life improvements. The ventilated front seats, in particular, come in handy in perpetually sunny California.

　　

2020 Hyundai NEXO models

The 2020 Hyundai Nexo is a five-passenger crossover SUV that uses a hydrogen fuel cell for power. There are 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:

　　Blue

　　161 horsepower LED headlights Keyless entry Automatic climate control Heated front seats Simulated leather upholsteryThe Blue also comes with:

　　Navigation system A 12.3-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Three USB ports Wireless charging padDriver-assistance features include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Nexo and the car in front) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse) Lane departure mitigation (warns of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)Limited

　　Comes with all of the above features, plus:

　　Roof rails Automatic wipers Hands-free liftgate Heated steering wheel Ventilated front seats Premium audio system Cargo cover Automated remote parking (the Nexo can park itself without driver intervention; can be triggered while you're in the car or on the outside using the key fob) Front and rear parking sensors (alerts you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking) Blind-spot monitor camera (displays an image of the vehicle's blind spot in the instrument panel when the turn signal is activated)

　　

2020 NEXO Highlights

Trim: BlueLimitedBlue

　　

Base MSRP	$58,735
Engine Type	Electric (fuel cell)
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	29.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles