2021 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Electric

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Rating5.8

Ranked #3 in 

Compact Electric SUV
Write Review
$58,935 - $62,385
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on June 24, 2022

ProsConsWhat's New

Decent overall driving range

Sub-par space in the second-row

Only gets an updated infotainment screen for the 2021 model year

Impressive driver assistance features

Only sold in California

Indulgent warranty offered by the brand

Relies on hydrogen which still isn't abundantly found as fuel

Specs & Features

$58,935

price

161 hp

horsepower

291 lb.-ft.

torque

1-Speed Dual Clutch

transmission

electric FWD 1A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Fuel cell vehicles have not been popular in the market. Their adoption was not mainstream, and operating them on a daily basis brings its own anxiety. However, they are not without benefits. These benefits are why cars such as the 2021 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell are still being sold. Operating in the compact SUV segment, the Hyundai Nexo competes with the Audi e-tron SUV and the Tesla Model Y. With a base price of MSRP $58,395, the Nexo offers 2 trims. Its hydrogen-powered electric engine produces 161 horsepower and has a torque output of 291 lb-ft from a 1-speed direct drive transmission sending power to the front wheels. This setup gets you an EPA rating of 57 MPG combined and provides 354 miles of range. 

Buying Advice

The 2021 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell SUV is still only available for purchase in California due to a limited number of hydrogen filling stations. If you’re someone from California looking to buy a hydrogen-powered car, Nexo should check all the boxes. Among the two trims, we recommend the base Blue since it offers most of the convenience and driving assistance features as standard and doesn’t miss out on much.

Trims

    Blue
    $58,935 onwards
    • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Heated mirrors
    • Navigation system
    Limited
    $62,385 onwards
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof

Compare to similar cars

Price

$58,935- $62,385

Engine

electric

Rating

5.83

Horsepower

161 hp

Torque

291 lb.-ft.

Capacity

5

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271 hp

310 lb.-ft.

5

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electric

8.69

402 hp

490 lb.-ft.

5

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$39,995- $48,175

electric

8.22

201 hp

229 lb.-ft.

5

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2021 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Electric vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.4 sec--
    4.9 sec-112 mph
    5.5 sec14 sec124 mph
    5.96 sec--
    7.8 sec--

    2021 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Electric vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      65 mpg58 mpg61 mpg41.4 gal.2691/2401.20 mi.
      140 mpg119 mpg130 mpg--
      104 mpg89 mpg97 mpg--
      78 mpg77 mpg78 mpg--
      80 mpg70 mpg75 mpg--

      2021 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Electric vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        183.9 in.73.2 in.64.2 in.6.4 in.109.8 in.
        193 in.76.2 in.65.5 in.6.9 in.115.3 in.
        187.4 in.74.2 in.63.9 in.5.1 in.113.1 in.
        187 in.75.6 in.63.9 in.6.6 in.113.8 in.
        180.5 in.72.9 in.64.6 in.-108.9 in.

        2021 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Electric vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          29.6 cu.ft.101.3 cu.ft.56.5 cu.ft.
          13.3 cu.ft.-68 cu.ft.
          30.3 cu.ft.99.9 cu.ft.64.2 cu.ft.
          28.5 cu.ft.125.3 cu.ft.56.5 cu.ft.

          2021 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Electric vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            56.5 cu.ft.29.6 cu.ft.56.5 cu.ft.-
            64.2 cu.ft.30.3 cu.ft.64.2 cu.ft.-
            56.5 cu.ft.28.5 cu.ft.56.5 cu.ft.67 ft.
            68 cu.ft.13.3 cu.ft.68 cu.ft.-

            2021 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Electric vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1169 lbs.3990 lbs.
              4000 lbs.1058 lbs.5754 lbs.
              3968 lbs.-5500 lbs.
              3500 lbs.886 lbs.4065 lbs.
              2200 lbs.1347 lbs.4559 lbs.

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              MPG Combined : 61 mpg

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