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.
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.
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.