2022 Hyundai Nexo

The Nexo has a high price tag, but new technology always does. Mass production brings down the price of a car, but the Hyundai Nexo is still too niche to benefit from this. The base Blue model has an MSRP of $59,435, while the Limited retails for $62,885. This pricing does not include the delivery cost of the Hyundai Nexo, which adds $1,245.

Many top-tier luxury SUVs will set you back by a similar amount. BMW's X5 45e plug-in hybrid retails for $63,700 if you want to keep things on the green side of the spectrum.

Considering the fastest setting is comfort, Hyundai hasn't set the bar very high. Luckily, the Nexo is a niche vehicle with a specific target market. What this market demands above all else is real-world efficiency and comfort. The Nexo delivers precisely that.

Body roll is minimal, but the suspension setup is not stiff. Push it too hard, and it will understeer, which is the safest default setting for an SUV/crossover. The steering is light but not nervous at freeway speeds.

We think this is yet another example of Hyundai's engineers being wise and reserved rather than funky. As modern as it may be underneath, it looks and drives like a typical crossover. The Nexo, it seems, is made to prove that hydrogen-powered cars don't need any sacrifices, but as we shall soon see, that's not exactly the case.

虽然不是第一个燃料电池汽车在美国,Nexo was the first mass-produced SUV using this technology. It's not much to look at, but perhaps this was Hyundai's plan all along? Show people that hydrogen is a perfectly safe solution, offering the best of both worlds - the environmental friendliness and responsiveness of an EV, but without the charging time. Take the fuel source out of the equation, and you're still left with a comfortable, large, safe, well-equipped vehicle.

Hyundai's most significant issue is the lack of infrastructure. The Nexo is currently only sold in California because it's the only place where you can own one. People remain skeptical, but if manufacturers keep producing fuel cell cars as good as this, the vehicles will do the talking.

We keep on thinking of traditional EVs as humanity's savior against global warming and dwindling oil reserves. The inconvenient truth is that they, too, rely on finite resources, not just for sourcing electricity but also for parts. How long before the cobalt and nickel run out?

The good news is that we've been here before. People were hesitant to move over to EVs until the Tesla Model S came along and blew everyone away. Perhaps that's what the Nexo is lacking. It's a glimpse into the future, but nobody's sitting up and taking notice.

At this level, it seems like you should just go all in and opt for the top-spec Limited model. But if you're buying this car, it means you believe in the technology and not merely making a statement. The Limited model only has a driving range of 354 miles, while the Blue can do 380 miles. From an efficiency standpoint, basic is best. Still, the Limited does give you a lot of extra features for just $3,450. You just have to ask yourself whether you prefer the additional range or the extra features.

Hyundai has not invested all of its money in hydrogen. It also offers a fully electric Kona, which benefits from a superb existing platform. With prices starting at $34,000, it's significantly cheaper as well. The Kona electric uses a 64 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor to produce 201 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque. That's good for a sub-seven-second sprint to 60 mph and a claimed range of 258 miles. Yes, it's not as much as you get in a Nexo, but you'll have more flexibility when it comes to recharging.

As a subcompact crossover, the Kona is smaller. Does it even matter if great mileage and a small environmental footprint are the primary considerations? That's a question you'll have to answer yourself. Hydrogen power still has a long way to go, while the Kona Electric is an impressive car that just happens to be electric. But hydrogen fuel cell technology won't get much further if more people don't buy into the concept. If you're an early adopter living in California and are willing to take the risk, go for it.

Hyundai's Tucson is an impressive compact SUV and now has a bold new look. The top-spec model retails for $35,300, not far from half the price of a top-spec Nexo. It's smaller than the latter, but not by much. A fully-specced Tucson is a luxurious car and equipped with the latest safety technology.

If you're after efficiency in a more traditional package, the Tucson hybrid delivers with 226 hp, a starting price of under $30,000, and up to 38 mpg combined. There is also a 261-hp Tucson plug-in hybrid that is still far cheaper than the Nexo. While we admire the Nexo's brave technology, for now we'd still go with one of the hybrid Tucson models.