2024 Hyundai Nexo Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
The 2024 Hyundai Nexo is far from your typical electric vehicle. This compact SUV has an electric motor fueled by hydrogen, which can be refilled in minutes at special stations. Water is the only tailpipe emission. On sale from 2019, the Nexo receives a handful of small updates for 2024. Competitors include the Toyota Mirai, Kia EV6, and Volkswagen ID4 .
What's New
- Tint applied to rear windshield
- USB-C ports installed; two added to second row
- Matte gray paint becomes available
- Odor-reducing HVAC improvements
What We Think
Depending on your perspective, the Nexo's most essential attribute could be either fantastic or terrible. The fact that it's hydrogen-powered will define the ownership experience, requiring you to shape your lifestyle around its need to refuel at special stations. Those stations might be easy and nearby, or distant and in need of maintenance, so make sure to do your research before getting a Nexo.
If you do, though, you'll find a crossover that's generally quite agreeable. It rides comfortably, quietly, and has good responsiveness from its electric motor. The cabin is stylish and has an impressive number of tech features. Not to mention, the Nexo looks cool, if in a slightly weird way. It all drives and functions fairly normally, other than its peculiar fuel situation.
Indeed, driving a hydrogen vehicle seems dubious in 2024 as ever more battery-powered electric vehicles arrive on the scene. Although public charging may take longer than a hydrogen refueling session, the infrastructure is much more robust and usually pretty easy to use. As Hyundai commits further to battery electric vehicles, the Nexo may be remembered as a peculiar blip in its transition away from combustion engines.
Motor, Hydrogen Fuel, and Range
The Nexo is an EV, in the sense that its front-drive motor, which makes 161 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque, is powered by a 1.6-kWh battery. However, that small battery is charged using a hydrogen chemical reaction.
Refueling takes place at special hydrogen stations. The process is much like with a gasoline car, in the sense that you attach a nozzle to the Nexo to let fuel pump in. When the tank (technically, three tanks in the case of the Nexo) is full, simply detach and drive away.
Driving range is rated at 380 miles for the Blue trim and 354 miles for the more premium Limited trim. Larger wheels fitted to the Limited model are largely to blame for that discrepancy.
Safety Ratings and Features
Standard driver assist and active safety features include front automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beams, blind-spot monitoring (camera-based on the Limited trim), lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
When most recently evaluated by the IIHS for 2023, the Nexo earned the top Good score in all six crashworthiness tests.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The Nexo seems to try really hard to not be strange, as evidenced by its interior passenger and cargo measurements—totally normal and in line with small battery electric SUVs.
Technology
All 2024 Nexo models come equipped with a 10.3-inch digital gauge display and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen beside it. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation are standard. For 2024, the Nexo switches from USB-A to USB-C ports, and two ports are added to the second row in Limited trim; a wireless charging pad is standard on all trims. Other tech upgrades on the Limited trim include remote parking assist, a 360-degree camera, and an eight-speaker premium audio system.
Recommended Trim
Considering how challenging it can be to refuel the Nexo, sticking with the longer-range but less feature-filled Blue trim is the better choice. The 2024 Nexo Blue lacks the heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, premium speakers, and 360-degree camera found on the Limited trim. However, the Blue model can go 380 miles between fill-ups, more than the Limited's 354 miles of range—not a huge difference, but enough to matter considering how scarce hydrogen stations are. Furthermore, the Nexo Blue still comes with upscale features such as a digital gauge display, adaptive cruise control, and wireless charging pad. If you're lucky, you might be able to score one on a massive discount.
