When Hyundai rolled out the Initium hydrogen concept in late October 2024, it gave us a solid preview of the new Nexo. Fast-forward to April 2025, the hydrogen crossover is entering its second generation. It’s the first production model to embrace a fresh design language, dubbed “Art of Steel.” Vastly different than its aging predecessor, the niche model gets a rugged exterior makeover and a far nicer cabin.
Arriving today at the Seoul Mobility Show alongside the 2026 Ioniq 6, the revamped Nexo stays true to the Initium concept. We’re still thinking of a futuristic Pontiac Aztek when looking at the rear, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We dig the boxy shape and four-point lights front and rear. If you’re wondering why there aren’t any traditional side mirrors, Hyundai shows the version for Korea, where side cameras are legal. It looks as though the hydrogen tank can be juiced up from either side of the vehicle since there are fuel caps on both rear fenders.
Photo by: Hyundai
Stretching at 187 inches (4750 millimeters), the new Nexo is about 3.1 inches (78 millimeters) longer than its predecessor but has an identical wheelbase at 109.8 inches (2790 millimeters). At 73.4 inches (1865 millimeters) wide, the all-new body is 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) wider than the first generation. Depending on the version, customers can choose from 18- or 19-inch wheels.
Save for the dual-screen setup with 12.3-inch screen displays, the interior has little in common with the old Nexo. It appears Hyundai has cut down the number of physical buttons, but we’re glad to see there are still separate controls for the climate settings. The “floating” console no longer extends to meet the dashboard, but there’s still room for dual wireless charging with a silicon pad to keep the smartphone in place. There’s even a cooling fan so that the device doesn’t overheat.
Photo by: Hyundai
To declutter the cabin, the gear selector buttons on the center console have been deleted in favor of a column shifter. Hyundai is giving the new Nexo a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a 12-inch head-up display, and nicer front seats with leg rests. Passengers in the back can relax on ventilated seats with a higher reclining angle than before. Rear occupants also enjoy more headroom, shoulder room, and wider-opening doors.
While the previous Nexo had to make do with 181 horsepower, its replacement packs a stout 255 hp. The significant bump in total system output has reduced the sprint time to 62 mph (100 km/h) from 9.2 seconds to 7.8 seconds. Flat out, it’ll do 111 mph (179 km/h), not that there will be too many owners hitting those kinds of speeds in a fuel cell crossover.
Hyundai also upgraded the hydrogen tank, which can now store slightly more, at 6.69 kilograms (instead of 6.33 kilograms). Provided you can find a hydrogen station, it takes five minutes to refuel the tank, so about as much as juicing up a gasoline car. With a full tank, the new Nexo can deliver a maximum range of over 435 miles (700 kilometers) based on the Korean test cycle.
Although Hyundai says the new Nexo is a global model, we wouldn’t count on seeing the second generation in the United States. Even if it gets a US visa, don’t be too surprised if it’ll be limited to California like its predecessor.
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Source: Hyundai
