2022 Hyundai NEXO

　　

2022 Hyundai Nexo Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　Each year, more and more battery electric cars hit the market, and it appears they're here to stay for the foreseeable future. But as prevalent as EVs are, they can't yet do everything. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer zero tailpipe emissions, just like EVs, plus the ability to refuel quickly. The 2022 Hyundai Nexo is one such EV alternative and one of only a handful of hydrogen cars on the market.

　　The Hyundai Nexo is an SUV that sits roughly in between the compact Tucson and the midsize Santa Fe in terms of size. Its electric motor produces 161 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque, while its hydrogen fuel cell and tank provide up to 380 miles of range depending on trim. Like every other fuel cell-powered car, the Nexo is only available in California.

　　Inside, you'll find an impressive complement of tech features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless charging and adaptive cruise control. Of course, you'll pay a hefty premium for those niceties and the Nexo's futuristic drivetrain. Hyundai gives you three years of free fuel, though with the limited number of hydrogen filling stations you probably shouldn't plan on going too far.

　　Fuel cell vehicles are rare. The Toyota Mirai is now the Nexo's only hydrogen competitor since the Honda Clarity is no longer available. The Mirai is a sedan, so the Nexo has the utility advantage. Among this small group, the Nexo is the most practical and the best value proposition. However, hydrogen in general isn't ready for prime time due to the limited refueling infrastructure and high vehicle cost.

　　

Which NEXO does zzdcar recommend?

You're going to spend a lot to get into a base Nexo, so you may as well fork over a few extra grand to get the top-of-the-line Limited model, which comes loaded with amenities like ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, hands-free liftgate, sunroof, 360-degree camera, and front and rear parking sensors.

　　

Hyundai NEXO models

The 2022 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:

　　Blue

　　LED headlights 17-inch wheels Power-folding, heated side mirrors Keyless entry Push-button ignition Dual-zone automatic climate control Power-adjustable, heated front seats 60/40-split folding rear seats Synthetic leather upholstery Leather-wrapped steering wheel Cargo coverThe Blue also comes with:

　　10.25-inch digital instrument display Navigation system 12.3-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Dual USB ports Six-speaker audio system Wireless charging pad 110-volt household-style power outletDriver 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 warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic warning (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 19-inch wheels Sunroof Automatic wipers Hands-free liftgate Heated steering wheel Ventilated front seats Eight-speaker premium audio system 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 (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Blind-spot warning camera (displays an image of the vehicle's blind spot in the instrument panel when the turn signal is activated) 360-degree surround-view display (uses cameras in all four directions to compose a single image of the car's surroundings)

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