2019 Hyundai NEXO Review

Driving the brand-new Hyundai NEXO is an utterly conventional experience even if under the skin it’s anything but a normal crossover.

In more ways than one, this hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle is the South Korean conglomerate’s most technologically advanced model, an automotive moonshot that generates its own electricity while emitting only water. And yet it behaves like any other modern utility vehicle.

The NEXO’s suspension smothers road imperfections almost to the point of being floaty, the drivetrain is endowed with ample torque, its acceleration is more than adequate, plus it offers plenty of space for both cargo and passengers.

Given the technology it’s loaded with, one might expect a bit more drama, a dash of weirdness for good measure, but the NEXO carries itself with such nonchalance the driving experience is almost forgettable, that is, until it’s time to get fuel or you think about what’s going on under the hood.

Rather than running exclusively on stored electrons like an EV or through the combustion of fossil fuels, this Hyundai is totally alien in its operation, like something from the pages of a science-fiction novel. Greatly streamlining the operation, stored hydrogen is fed into the fuel-cell stack where it combines with oxygen in a process that produces electricity, water and a bit of heat. Conceptually simple, if astoundingly challenging in practice, the result of this advanced engineering is a vehicle propulsion system with zero harmful emissions. It can be greener than the Amazon rainforest during monsoon season, provided the hydrogen it runs on has been produced in a sustainable manner, of course. So clean is this vehicle, Hyundai even claims it purifies the air while running, filtering out harmful particulates.

But thanks to the relentless march of progress, the NEXO makes its forebear look like child’s play, besting it in nearly every area of measure. Built on a brand-new dedicated architecture, it’s lighter, has additional cargo capacity and a better-packaged powertrain. It’s also quieter, faster, more efficient and offers up to 40 percent greater driving range, which equates to an increase of 115 miles (185 kilometers).

With a storage capacity of 41.4 gallons (156.6 liters), the NEXO carries enough hydrogen to travel a maximum of 380 miles (612 kilometers), though curiously, the higher-end model delivers slightly less range, maxing out at 354 (570). Trouncing even the best EVs, this fuel-cell Hyundai can be refueled in as little as five minutes, just like a conventional petroleum-powered vehicle.

Helping contribute to that impressive range is an extremely slippery body. The NEXO’s coefficient of drag is just 0.32 thanks to design additions like front-wheel air curtains, hidden front windshield wipers, air tunnels on the D-pillars and even motorized door handles that retract at speed, just like on the Range Rover Velar.

Two trim levels will be offered, with Blue serving as the base model and Limited maxing things out. As for fuel economy, the latter is rated at 59 miles per gallon equivalent in city use, 54 on the highway and 57 MPGe combined. The former is slightly more economical on all three driving cycles.

Propelled by a permanent-magnet electric motor, the NEXO is graced with a rather modest 161 horsepower, though torque far exceeds that figure, maxing out at 291 pound-feet. Twist is fed through a single-gear transmission.

With a curb weight of just around two tons (3,990 pounds or 1,810 kilograms in Blue trim, 4,116 or 1,867 kg in Limited), the vehicle is far from the fastest thing on four wheels, taking an advertised 9.5 seconds to reach 60 miles (100 km/h) an hour from a standstill, doing the deed a full three seconds faster than the Tucson FCEV. Fortunately, thanks to all the torque it’s endowed with the NEXO feels much faster than that number would suggest, offering surprising punch, particularly off the line.

The front buckets are comfortable but also cozy thanks to the floating center-console bridge, which makes it feel as if you’re surrounded by the interior. Like the Porsche Panamera, this large horizontal surface is home to the climate controls, myriad other switches and even the push-button shifter, though all of these controls are of rather low contrast, making it difficult in certain lighting conditions to identify which switch controls what.

Ensuring the NEXO is as versatile as practically any other crossover, it offers just shy of 30 cubic feet (850 liters) of storage space behind the second-row seats. Fold them down and that figure nearly doubles, giving you plenty of room for hauling.

Keeping up with rivals, this fuel-cell Hyundai offers all the latest gadgets and amenities you’d expect and a couple you might not.

The audio and navigation system are displayed on a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen that’s bright and clear. It’s also housed in the same assembly as the digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even text-to-speech via Bluetooth are included, as is Qi wireless charging for easily keeping your mobile device of choice topped up with electrons.

In addition to the usual advanced driver aids like lane centering and automatic high-beams, the NEXO also features a Blind-Spot View Monitor, which dramatically improves your field of vision. When the turn signal is activated a video feed from either side of the vehicle is displayed on the instrument-cluster screen, a handy thing to be certain.

With Remote Smart Parking Assist, top-shelf Limited-trim NEXOs can automatically park themselves in either parallel or perpendicular spaces. This system is so advanced the driver doesn’t even have to be in the vehicle. He or she can control it by simply pressing a button on the key fob, which is ideal for super-tight spots. Limited models also feature 19-inch wheels, a sunroof, power liftgate as well as heated and cooled front seats.

There are only about 35-such fueling stations in the state of California, where the NEXO will go on sale before year’s end. A few more are scheduled to come online, but, obviously, this situation severely limits where the vehicle can be offered.

But every fire starts with a spark and this Hyundai could help start a fuel-cell revolution since it will eventually be sold in other zero-emission vehicle states including Vermont, Massachusetts and Oregon once, of course, fuel becomes available in these areas. The car has also exceeded expectations in South Korea and is projected to do well in Europe, too.