The new hydrogen-powered Hyundai Nexo manages over 435 miles of range

Clearly someone in the Hyundai design team is a rather big fan of the Pontiac Aztek, because the all-new Nexo looks strikingly similar to the controversial old crossover. Sort of works in a strange way though, doesn’t it?

This boxy, new look Nexo with its ‘Art of Steel’ design language was previewed by the Initium concept car towards the end of 2024, and it hasn’t actually changed that much in its transformation to a proper production car.

A hydrogen production car, too. The first-gen Nexo was unveiled in 2018 and hasn’t exactly been selling like hot cakes, but Hyundai still reckons that fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are worth a crack. “The launch marks a significant milestone in hydrogen mobility,” says erm… Hyundai itself.

Anyway, unveiled at the Seoul Mobility Show, this new Nexo does take a step on from its predecessor. It’s longer, wider and taller for starters meaning there’s more space inside. It also gets a more powerful 201bhp electric motor to drive the front wheels (the old car made do with 161bhp), so the 0-62mph time drops from 9.2 to 7.8 seconds.

The hydrogen fuel cell stack has apparently been improved to be able to deliver more power too, and there’s ‘increased fuel storage capacity’ with a larger 6.69kg hydrogen tank. Combined with increased hydrogen storage density and aero improvements that reduce drag, the new Nexo gets a range of over 435 miles between fill-ups.

Oh, and an onboard FCEV route planner should help you to find a hydrogen filling station mid-journey. Well, hopefully. The infrastructure isn’t exactly flourishing right now.

The Nexo itself should be much improved, though. It also gets active noise cancelling tech and sound-absorbing tyres, plus there’s lots of soft padding inside and the option of digital side mirrors. All cars get wireless phone charging, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, a head-up display and a curved digital dash that combines a 12.3in dial display and a 12.3in infotainment screen. Oh, and like Hyundai’s EVs there is V2L tech so that the Nexo can act as a giant generator.

We’re told that the new Nexo will be sold in ‘global markets’ from later this year, although there’s no word on whether it’ll be available in the UK just yet. No word on potential prices either. Still, reckon Hyundai’s right to have another crack at hydrogen propulsion?