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Hyundai Nexo
Car and Driver says Hyundai has already sold nearly 7,000 of the new Nexo globally from June to August, more than four times what its first fuel-cell vehicle achieved in the same timeframe, after the first-generation Nexo's good range and smooth ride were hamstrung by a barely-there refueling infrastructure that limited U.S. sales to a paltry 208 units in 2020; if Hyundai's claims prove true in Car and Driver's own testing, the new Nexo will beat the Toyota Mirai fuel-cell sedan on both acceleration and range. MotorTrend says Hyundai's hydrogen brand is called HTWO, and the 2026 Nexo's 'Four Dot' lights distinguish the SUV as part of the automaker's fuel cell initiative, noting the new model was announced just as the California-only Nexo was discontinued. DailyRevs says the 2026 Nexo gets a more efficient fuel cell stack, expanded hydrogen storage, and greater range that make it more practical than ever, with Hyundai promoting hydrogen tech more aggressively than ever even without announcing U.S. availability.
Outselling its predecessor and chasing the Mirai
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says Hyundai has already sold nearly 7,000 of the new Nexo globally from June to August, more than four times what its first fuel-cell vehicle achieved in the same timeframe, after the first-generation Nexo's good range and smooth ride were hamstrung by a barely-there refueling infrastructure that limited U.S. sales to a paltry 208 units in 2020. If Hyundai's claims prove true in Car and Driver's own instrumented testing, the new Nexo will beat the Toyota Mirai fuel-cell sedan on both acceleration and range.
HTWO and the new model's arrival
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says Hyundai's hydrogen brand is called HTWO, and the 2026 Nexo's 'Four Dot' lights distinguish the SUV as part of the automaker's fuel cell initiative, noting the new model was announced just as the California-only Hyundai Nexo was discontinued.
A more practical fuel-cell stack
DailyRevs (opens in a new tab) says the 2026 Nexo gets a more efficient fuel cell stack, expanded hydrogen storage, and greater range that make it more practical than ever, with Hyundai promoting hydrogen tech more aggressively than ever even without having announced U.S. availability.
Questions buyers ask
How many Hyundai Nexos sold in the U.S. in 2020?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says a paltry 208 units.
What is Hyundai's hydrogen brand called?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says HTWO.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Hyundai Nexo is built around Hydrogen fuel-cell electric powertrain, rated at 161 horsepower across its hydrogen fuel-cell SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 2 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 Nexo seats 5 and is a Hydrogen fuel-cell SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 Nexo.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Hyundai Nexo
Both Nexo trims share the same 161-horsepower fuel-cell motor; Blue carries the longer EPA-rated range while Limited trades some range for added equipment.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Hyundai Nexo model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Hyundai Nexo | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Hyundai Nexo | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Hyundai Nexo.
The Hyundai Nexo is a hydrogen fuel cell powered crossover SUV that was revealed at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show on 8 January 2018. Replacing the Hyundai Tucson FCEV, the Nexo is the flagship for Hyundai's "eco car" portfolio. The car is named after the Danish city Nexø.
Source: Hyundai Nexo (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Hyundai Nexo at a glance
- Production
- 2018–present
- Model years
- 2019–present
- Class
- Compact crossover SUV
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Layout
- Front-motor, front-wheel-drive
- Predecessor
- Hyundai ix35 FCEV
Hyundai Nexo generations
The Hyundai Nexo has been redesigned in 2025, gaps of 7 years, an average of 7.0 years between generations. The current generation (second generation, NH2) began in 2025.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | FE | 2018–2025 | The Nexo was released in South Korea in March 2018. |
| Second generation | NH2 | 2025–present | The second-generation Nexo was previewed as the Hyundai Initium concept on 31 October 2024. |
Recent recalls (1 campaign across the latest model years)
- October 2024, Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Pressure Relief Devices. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Nexo vehicles. The thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD) may break and cause a hydrogen gas leak, which can result in a fire while parked. Consequence: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Year by year
The Hyundai Nexo across 8 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Hyundai Nexo | 60–68 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2025 Hyundai Nexo | 57–61 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2024 Hyundai Nexo | 57–61 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 Hyundai Nexo | 57–61 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 2022 Hyundai Nexo | 57–61 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 Hyundai Nexo | 57–61 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020 Hyundai Nexo | 57–61 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| 2019 Hyundai Nexo | 57–61 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Hyundai Nexo, one model year at a time.
| Step | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 59.0 to 64.0 | Engines: PMSM | Engines: PEM |
Buying used
What the Hyundai Nexo recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | fuel system, other (storage) | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2023 | 1 | fuel system, other (storage) | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2022 | 1 | fuel system, other (storage) | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2021 | 2 | fuel system, other (delivery); fuel system, other (storage) | 2 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2020 | 4 | electrical system (software); service brakes, hydraulic (power assist); fuel system, other (delivery); 1 more | 2 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2019 | 4 | service brakes, hydraulic (power assist); fuel system, other (storage); fuel system, other (delivery) | 3 stop-driving or park-outside |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2019, campaign 22V-228 (Apr 2022): fuel system, other (storage). A hydrogen leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- 2019, campaign 22V-258 (Apr 2022): fuel system, other (delivery). A hydrogen gas leak can increase the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
- 2019, campaign 24V-761 (Oct 2024): fuel system, other (storage). A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
- 2020, campaign 22V-258 (Apr 2022): fuel system, other (delivery). A hydrogen gas leak can increase the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
- 2020, campaign 24V-761 (Oct 2024): fuel system, other (storage). A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
- 2021, campaign 22V-258 (Apr 2022): fuel system, other (delivery). A hydrogen gas leak can increase the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
4 more campaigns carry the same warning; each is on its model year's page.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 53% | 2020 (5) |
| unknown or other | 5 | 26% | 2023 (3) |
| engine | 4 | 21% | 2020 (2) |
| electrical system | 3 | 16% | 2021 (2) |
| forward collision avoidance | 3 | 16% | 2023 (2) |
| service brakes | 2 | 11% | 2019 (1) |
Trim by trim
Every 2023 Hyundai Nexo trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | FWD | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack | 161 | 291 | 3,990 | – | – | – |
| Limited | FWD | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack | 161 | 291 | 4,116 | – | – | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2023 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Hyundai Nexo model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack | 161 | 3,990–4,116 | – | – |
| 2022 | 2 | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack | 161 | 3,990–4,116 | – | – |
| 2021 | 2 | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack | 161 | 3,990–4,116 | – | – |
| 2020 | 2 | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack | 161 | 3,990–4,116 | – | – |
| 2019 | 2 | Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack | – | 3,990–4,116 | – | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Model-year recall record
Hyundai Nexo: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | Fuel System, Other |
| 2023 | 1 | 6 | Fuel System, Other |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | Fuel System, Other |
| 2021 | 2 | 2 | Fuel System, Other |
| 2020 | 4 | 7 | Fuel System, Other, electrical system, brakes |
| 2019 | 4 | 3 | Fuel System, Other, brakes |
| 2018 | not available | ||
| 2017 | not available | ||
| 2016 | not available | ||
| 2015 | not available |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Hyundai Nexo?
Federal recall records don't single out a best Hyundai Nexo model year: recall counts across the 6 published model years checked here stay within a normal range of this nameplate's own average (about 2.2 recalls per year), with no year standing out as notably higher or lower. Recall count is one input, not a purchase verdict. It says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record.
Q02What are common recall-related problems on the Hyundai Nexo by model year?
2024: Fuel System, Other. 2023: Fuel System, Other. 2022: Fuel System, Other. 2021: Fuel System, Other. 2020: Fuel System, Other, electrical system, brakes. 2019: Fuel System, Other, brakes.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Brakes, tires and steering, Climate and electrical.
Compared with
Models this Hyundai Nexo is most often compared with.
Nearest Hyundai models
Other Hyundai models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 Nexo come in?
The 2026 Hyundai Nexo (hydrogen fuel-cell SUV) comes in 2 trims: Blue, Limited.
Q02What are the 2026 Nexo trims?
The 2026 Hyundai Nexo trims are Blue, Limited, listed from the entry Blue up to the top Limited.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 Nexo use?
The 2026 Hyundai Nexo is built around Hydrogen fuel-cell electric powertrain, rated at 161 horsepower across its hydrogen fuel-cell SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 Nexo have?
The 2026 Hyundai Nexo is rated at 161 horsepower (Hydrogen fuel-cell electric powertrain).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 Nexo?
The 2026 Hyundai Nexo is offered with FWD.