First Drive: 2026 Hyundai Nexo

Seoul, South Korea — Hyundai’s fully updated Nexo hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) compact SUV has made its debut in Korea with a notable boost in both power and range.

While the previous model was objectively slow, running from zero to 110 km/h in 9.2 seconds, the 2026 Nexo will get there in 7.8 seconds. That’s still not particularly quick, but fast enough to make passing less of a waiting game.

This improvement comes thanks to a doubling of battery output from 40 kW to 80 kW, allowing for a new total system output of 190 kW, up from 135 kW. Range has increased to 826 kilometres, up from 612, thanks to improved efficiencies in the hydrogen conversion system and a larger tank that now holds 163 litres, or 6.7 kilograms, of hydrogen.

The Nexo plays a key role in Hyundai’s electrification strategy, alongside its BEVs and hybrids. First developed in 2018 and now fully updated, it represents the culmination of 28 years of hydrogen fuel cell development for the company. Hyundai is undisputedly the leader in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, having produced 60 percent of all passenger FCEVs ever to hit the road. That gives the company 2.2 billion kilometres of real-world driving data to learn from.

“The key measure of fuel cell performance is its efficiency,” explained ChangHwan Kim, head of Hyundai’s Electrification Energy Solution Tech Unit, at the global media launch of the new Nexo in Seoul. “Hyundai has achieved a maximum system efficiency of 62 percent, well above the industry average.”

This efficiency gives drivers freedom from range anxiety, he said, as well as reduced demand for hydrogen fill-ups. Looking ahead, Kim added that the success of the Nexo will be reflected in the next generation of commercial vehicles and beyond into other fuel cell technologies.

Because of its relatively sedate nature, driving the Nexo felt both familiar and a bit strange. It delivers pure EV quietness and smoothness, combined with slightly laggy acceleration. But on city streets and Korea’s impeccably maintained highways—where speed limits are strictly enforced by closely spaced speed cameras—its performance was perfectly acceptable.

The interior environment is bright and airy. Our tester was equipped with a panoramic roof and beautiful light-coloured upholstery. The front seats are super-comfortable for long drives, while rear-seat passengers benefit from increased legroom and headroom, along with wider door openings. Riding in the back is no hardship in the Nexo—it’s spacious and relaxing, with plenty of places to charge devices, stow drinks, and rest your elbows.

Partly thanks to the vehicle’s increased dimensions, the cargo area is vast for a vehicle in this class. It’s easily accessible and can be customized with a variety of available accessories.

At the helm, the Nexo offers dual 12.3-inch curved screens and a head-up display. It features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, AI-powered voice recognition, and a superb Bang & Olufsen sound system. It also includes Hyundai’s newly introduced dash cam option, as well as fingerprint-enabled start in some trims.

One of the more interesting features is the use of video mirrors. Both the centre rearview mirror and the wing mirrors are digital, providing a real-time video feed instead of a traditional reflective surface. The side video displays are very strange at first and did not inspire immediate confidence when making lane changes in city traffic. It takes time for a brain accustomed to physical mirrors to adapt to the field of view, and to looking inside the car at small screens instead of outside at mirrors. Ultimately, this system feels gimmicky and not necessarily an improvement over the conventional approach.

On the outside, the Nexo is angular and distinctive. It’s a good-looking package, highlighted by hydrogen-exclusive H-shaped lamps. There are six exterior paint colours, each applied using a three-step process that Hyundai says deepens the finish, lending it a subtle 3D effect. The vehicle also features onboard power, with vehicle-to-load capability inside and out. The exterior plug can be used directly with appliances, without the need for an adapter.

Of course, with any FCEV in North America, the availability of hydrogen fuelling stations is the limiting factor. In Korea, where we test-drove the Nexo for more than 400 kilometres, hydrogen stations are plentiful and easy to use. They are always full-serve—the public is not permitted to operate the fuelling equipment. A top-up of two kilograms of hydrogen took about two minutes and cost only a few dollars. A full fill from empty is said to take just six minutes.

In Canada, it’s another story, which is why Hyundai is offering the Nexo as a fleet vehicle. Public hydrogen fuelling stations are scarce, with only a handful scattered across the country. The largest concentration is in British Columbia, with several in the Vancouver area and one in Victoria, according to Natural Resources Canada’s alternative fuelling data. However, fleets already operating FCEVs, perhaps even first-generation Nexos, will have little trouble integrating the new Nexo when it arrives in 2026.

Quick Specs: 2026 Hyundai Nexo
Price (CAD): TBD
Powertrain: 150 kW motor / 80 kW battery
Horsepower / Torque: 110 kW gross & 94 kW net fuel cell system output
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Range: 826 km
Fill-up: 0–6.69 kg H₂ in 6 minutes
Fuel Consumption: 0.81 kg H₂ / 100 km (18-inch wheels)
Competitor: Toyota Mirai
Website: Hyundai Canada

Fun Fact

Despite producing zero tailpipe emissions, the 2026 Hyundai Nexo emits purified air as a byproduct of its hydrogen fuel cell system. Hyundai estimates that over its lifetime, a single Nexo can filter thousands of cubic metres of air—effectively acting as a rolling air purifier in urban environments.