FYI: Hyundai’s next-gen Nexo hydrogen fuel cell crossover is set to impress with improved power and range, slated for a 2025 debut.
Hyundai Gears Up for 2025 Debut of Redesigned Nexo Hydrogen Fuel Cell Crossover
Get ready, hydrogen enthusiasts! The highly anticipated next-generation Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell crossover is slated for its grand debut in 2025. Expected to hit the U.S. market as a 2026 model, this pioneering crossover is set to boast a more powerful powertrain, reflecting Hyundai’s three-decade commitment to hydrogen technology.
A Glimpse at the Future Nexo
Hyundai engineers have been hard at work, testing prototypes of the second-generation Nexo. Spy shots reveal that the new model will feature a radically different design from its predecessor. Departing from the streamlined aesthetics of the current model, the redesigned Nexo will adopt a boxy shape reminiscent of the revamped Hyundai Santa Fe. This boxy design is also anticipated in the forthcoming Palisade, now under prototype testing.
Enhanced Powertrain and Performance
While detailed specifications remain scarce, the next-gen Nexo is poised to deliver superior performance compared to the current model. Presently, the Nexo features a single 161-horsepower electric motor powered by a hydrogen fuel cell stack complemented by a small 40-kWh battery. This configuration allows the fuel cell to produce 127 horsepower, with the battery providing an additional 53 horsepower during heavy loads. The redesigned Nexo is expected to offer improved horsepower and efficiency, possibly aided by a larger battery.
Extended Range and Efficiency
The current Nexo boasts an EPA-rated range of 380 miles on a single hydrogen fill, holding up to 14 pounds of fuel. Anticipations are high that the new generation will achieve closer to 500 miles in range, thanks to advancements in battery and fuel cell technology.
Hyundai’s Commitment to Hydrogen
Hyundai has been a trailblazer in hydrogen powertrains for nearly 30 years and continues to push the envelope despite current market challenges and limited fueling infrastructure. Besides the Nexo, Hyundai’s hydrogen initiatives include semi-trailer trucks and a rumored hydrogen sports car inspired by the 2022 N Vision 74 concept.
Industry-Wide Momentum
The hydrogen revolution is not limited to Hyundai. Other major players in the automotive industry are also eyeing hydrogen technology. Toyota, with its hydrogen-fueled Mirai, recently partnered with BMW to jointly develop hydrogen powertrains, aiming for a showroom presence by 2028. Honda, too, has entered the race with a CR-V variant powered by hydrogen.
Hyundai is also collaborating with General Motors on various technological fronts, including hydrogen, marking a new era of innovation and cross-industry collaboration.
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— Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
