Hyundai NEXO

Hyundai NEXO at a glance

Hyundai revealed the NEXO at CES in Las Vegas on 8 January 2018. Sales started in South Korea in March 2018, in the United States (California only) in December 2018 and in the UK in March 2019. In Germany ADAC lists it from August 2018.

Generations

First generation (2018-2024)

The first NEXO replaced the ix35 Fuel Cell and was a clear step forward: its three tanks hold 156 litres and 6.3 kg of hydrogen, against 140 litres and 5.6 kg in the Tucson FCEV. The electric motor drives the front wheels. Wikipedia's powertrain table gives 113-120 kW and 395 Nm; ADAC lists the German car at 120 kW (163 PS) and 395 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 177 km/h.

Range figures depend on the test: ADAC lists 666 km WLTP and 756 km NEDC, while the American EPA figure is 611 km for the lighter Blue version and 570 km for the Limited. ADAC's own estimate at 10 °C and 90 km/h is 645 km.

Second generation (2025 to date)

Hyundai previewed the second NEXO with the Initium concept on 31 October 2024 and revealed the production car on 3 April 2025. It is bigger than the first car. Wikipedia lists three tanks of 54.2 litres each, and ADAC gives the usable capacity as 6.7 kg of hydrogen.

The power figures differ between sources. Wikipedia lists the motor at 190 kW (258 PS); ADAC gives the German car a system output of 150 kW (204 PS) and 350 Nm, a 2.6 kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese battery and 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. Hyundai quotes a range of around 700 km; ADAC lists 826 km on the old NEDC cycle and no WLTP range at the time of writing.

Powertrain and performance

All figures are ADAC's for the German cars. A fuel cell car still has an electric motor and a battery; the difference from a battery-electric car is that the fuel cell stack recharges the battery and feeds the motor while you drive. Our electric cars section covers the battery-electric alternatives.

Dimensions and boot

The new car keeps the 2,790 mm wheelbase but is 80 mm longer, and the boot grows from 461 to 510 litres. It can also tow: ADAC lists 1,000 kg braked for the second generation.

Running costs and refuelling

The NEXO's running costs depend almost entirely on where you can fill up. ADAC lists combined consumption of 1.0 kg of hydrogen per 100 km for the first generation (1.2 kg in ADAC's Ecotest) and 0.8 kg for the second. Before buying, check which hydrogen stations are open on the routes you drive most.

Warranty in Germany is five years for the car, plus eight years or 200,000 km for the high-voltage battery (ADAC). Wikipedia cites a fuel cell warranty of ten years or 160,000 km for the first generation.

Trims and prices

All prices are ADAC list prices before government incentives. The second generation is EUR 7,590 cheaper than the first at launch.

Safety

Euro NCAP awarded the first NEXO five stars in 2018, with 94 per cent for adult occupants, 89 per cent for children, 67 per cent for vulnerable road users and 80 per cent for safety assist. The second generation also scored five stars, in a test that ADAC dates December 2025: 90 per cent adult occupant, 85 per cent child occupant, 76 per cent vulnerable road users and 84 per cent safety assist. More on our safety ratings page.

Reliability and known issues

The sources used for this guide do not document recurring technical faults, so we list none. The main practical risk is the refuelling network rather than the car: a NEXO is only useful where hydrogen stations are open and supplied.

Sales

Rivals

The Toyota Mirai is the NEXO's direct hydrogen rival, but it is a saloon with a much smaller boot. Hyundai's own battery-electric Ioniq 5 shows what the same money buys without the need for hydrogen stations. The Mirai's price is ADAC's German list price; boot volumes come from the 1cars catalogue. Compare them in our comparison tool.

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