autoevolution
 

Hyundai Nexo Is the First Hydrogen Car Tested by IIHS, Gets Top Safety Pick+

The Hyundai Nexo is the first hydrogen fuel cell car ever tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Not only was it safe, but the IIHS says it's learned a lot of useful information. So we see this as an absolute win, as the Hulk would say.
Hyundai Nexo Is the First Hydrogen Car Tested by IIHS, Gets Top Safety Pick+ 1 photo
Photo: Hyundai
The Nexo SUV, which starts at about $60,000, is one of Hyundai's most ambitious projects. The Korean automaker already has a bunch of electric cars, most of which are very successful. But it wanted to try an alternative source of fuel. From what we understand, even Audi likes this technology and will borrow it for a car it will launch early next decade.

The Nexo is like a more advanced EV. It's fitted with an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery, a fuel cell stack, and three hydrogen tanks, The motor developing 161 horsepower and 291 lb-ft (395 Nm) of torque will let you reach 62 in about 10 seconds. The electricity comes from the fuel cell turning hydrogen into water and allows for just under 380 miles of range.

Now, the Toyota Mirai and Honda Clarity are both fuel cell cars and they launched at least a year ago. Because they're low-volume and only available in California, the IIHS didn't test them. But Hyundai was so fond of the Nexo that it nominated it for testing. The safety body saw this as an opportunity to play with its first fuel cell vehicle before it becomes more mainstream.

This cool SUV received a "good" rating for all six IIHS tests - driver-side small overlap front crash, passenger-side small overlap front crash, the moderate overlap front crash, the side-impact crash, roof strength, and head restraints. The Nexo is the 12th Hyundai to have a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ rating, putting the brand ahead of Subaru.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories