2026 Hyundai Nexo First Drive Review: A Drop in the Ocean

While Canada may be lagging behind when it comes to hydrogen-powered vehicles, that hasn’t stopped the rest of the world from moving forward with the technology. Hyundai has now unveiled the second generation of the 2026 Nexo, a hydrogen-powered SUV. A look into a fascinating universe where the automobile is just a drop in the ocean.

Pros
• Balanced handling
• Range and technological maturity
• Presentation quality / luxury / comfort

Cons
• Refuelling infrastructure limited nationwide
• Front-wheel drive only
• Still expensive

Today, I’m introducing a true rolling laboratory, the second generation of the 2026 Hyundai Nexo. Incidentally, my last trip to South Korea back in 2012 was to drive, for just a few hundred meters, the Tucson ix35 FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), the Nexo’s ancestor. At that time, the powertrain made the vehicle feel dull and completely devoid of driving dynamics. Today, I challenge you to notice a difference compared to a conventional powertrain.

Not Us, But the Rest of the World Exists

Even though hydrogen powertrains have been slow to take off, Hyundai, along with Toyota and BMW, continues to invest in refining the technology. The ultimate goal remains to achieve large-scale commercialization. For now, unless you live in South Korea, certain parts of Europe, California, or near one of the few hydrogen refuelling stations in Canada, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to buy such a vehicle.

BMW Launches a Pilot Program for the Hydrogen-Powered iX5

Hyundai, however, persists. This second-generation Nexo will be sold in Canada, targeting commercial fleets mainly in certain regions such as Vancouver and Toronto. Toronto’s airport, which already operates a few Nexos, has even expressed interest in purchasing about forty more. Clearly, Hyundai isn’t chasing high sales volumes here, it’s reaffirming its commitment to the technology. The Nexo is just one link in what could become a much broader chain: heavy trucks, machinery, boats, airplanes, and even military vehicles.

From the Beginning to Now

Hyundai entered the hydrogen adventure in 1998 with its first prototype based on the Tucson. Development became more serious in 2012 with the model I tested back then, a notably heavy vehicle.

Hydrogen’s story in Canada actually began with Toyota introducing the Mirai sedan. Hyundai followed suit, knowing that a hydrogen SUV like the Nexo might appeal to more buyers. It didn’t, for one obvious reason: the lack of refuelling infrastructure.

In Quebec, there were roughly three stations at the time: one at Toyota Canada in Brossard, one at the university in Trois-Rivières, and another in the Quebec City region. That wasn’t nearly enough to give the technology a boost. Limited refuelling options along the Quebec–Montreal corridor restricted potential buyers. On top of that, with a price around $70,000 and resale values near rock-bottom, buying a Nexo truly was an act of faith.

Today, with no hydrogen stations in Quebec, the technology’s future here is nonexistent. Quebecers seeking to move away from fossil fuels have wisely embraced pure electrification instead.

And Now, in 2026

That brings us to 2026 and the second-generation Nexo. This version closely mirrors the Initium concept revealed in 2024. Hyundai has now moved away from the “Fluidic Sculpture” design language of the 2010s. The new philosophy is called “The Art of Steel.”

In line with Hyundai’s latest models, the Nexo embraces sharp angles. Being an electrified product, pixels are present, a hallmark of the brand. The overall look has an ‘80s vibe that I don’t dislike at all, in fact, I find it distinctive without being eccentric. It even features the four small squares on the steering wheel, representing the letter “H” in Morse code. The rectangular headlights feature LEDs and adaptive matrix lighting for nighttime driving.

In Canada, there will be two versions, one with 18-inch wheels and the other with 19-inch wheels. The wheels are the only visible difference between them. The design is rich in details, such as diagonal lines on the C-pillar inspired by traditional Korean garments. At the rear, the sloped window evokes the Pontiac Aztek—but done right. The four squares return in the taillights and center brake light. I must point out that the fit and finish of my test vehicle were impeccable.

A Flawless Cabin

Being a compact SUV, access on board is excellent. Once inside, you discover an environment of faultless craftsmanship and materials. The level of quality here rivals Genesis. My test vehicle featured a gorgeous cream interior, with eco-treated leather and responsibly sourced materials.

The Connected Car Navigation Cockpit setup returns, consisting of two 12.3-inch displays. It’s a familiar layout for Hyundai, ergonomically sound though somewhat conservative, considering the unique nature of the powertrain, a touch of eccentricity would’ve been welcome.

Lower down, the climate controls are clear, though the buttons are small, same for the sub-panel that appears when the interface changes. The console features two wireless charging pads and plenty of storage, including a useful shelf ahead of the passenger seat.

Seat comfort is flawless thanks to numerous adjustments. My tester had a panoramic sunroof and, curiously for North America, camera-based side mirrors displayed via small screens at the dashboard’s edges. This clever feature won’t be available in Canada, unfortunately.

A Genuine Family Focus

Rear access is impressive, with doors that open nearly 90 degrees. The 60/40 split bench offers solid comfort and generous legroom for two adults. The Nexo is narrow, so a third occupant would compromise comfort. The trunk offers 993 litres of space, and over 1,700 litres with the rear seats folded.

Constantly Improving Technology

The Nexo now uses Hyundai’s fourth-generation hydrogen powertrain. Everything is improved. The electric motor produces 150 kW, or 201 horsepower, with 258 lb-ft of torque. Given the vehicle’s 1,800-kg weight, acceleration isn’t brisk, Hyundai quotes 0–100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. On the road, it’s clear the Nexo’s power is tuned more for urban use. It’s also worth noting that only the front wheels are powered.

Under the skin, the system evolves further. The total hydrogen storage, two carbon-fiber tanks, now holds 6.69 kg (about 170 liters). The small buffer battery that stores energy grows slightly to 2.64 kWh. This lithium-ion unit allows faster charge and discharge cycles for improved efficiency. Where the previous generation felt heavy and sluggish, that’s now much better controlled. In fact, an untrained driver might not notice the difference compared to a plug-in hybrid.

Hyundai claims average consumption of 0.89 kg/100 km for the larger 19-inch wheels, giving a theoretical range of 752 km. During our test, mostly highways and country roads, I averaged 1.05 kg/100 km, for a real-world range of 637 km. That’s still excellent for a compact SUV, regardless of the powertrain.

A Pleasant Drive

Our test covered over 600 coastal kilometers between Seoul and Mokpo, South Korea. Road conditions were ideal, but even so, the Nexo proved itself. The steering isn’t particularly engaging, but it’s accurate and gains some weight in “Sport” mode.

The suspension, though, is the star. It performs remarkably well considering the vehicle’s mass, delivering excellent comfort and good body control through corners. On rough pavement, you do feel the firmness of the dampers, but it never becomes harsh.

Hyundai has mastered regenerative braking, and the Nexo is no exception. Overall, it’s a calm, pleasant SUV to drive, with a composed, balanced character despite its weight.

Conclusion

The Nexo suffers from a single major flaw: fuelling. With no hydrogen stations in Quebec, this vehicle is essentially useless here. Given our hydroelectric abundance, it’s also hard to justify since producing hydrogen requires huge amounts of electricity. Roughly 55 kWh are needed to produce one kilogram of hydrogen. With a 6.69-kg tank, that’s about 350 kWh to fill it, an approximation, but one that illustrates why battery electrification makes more sense for passenger vehicles. For heavy trucks, ships, aircraft, and military applications, hydrogen still has real promise.

In my view, Hyundai should adopt a strategy similar to Honda’s with the Clarity, offering multiple powertrain options. Why not make it fully electric, with a second motor for all-wheel drive? That would neatly fill the gap between the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9.

While these details may have limited relevance locally, the Nexo will arrive in Canada in early 2026, priced between $70,000 and $80,000. Hyundai’s commitment to hydrogen is very real, spanning several sectors. Even though Quebec isn’t part of the adventure, the rest of the world is increasingly embracing it, with more than 7,000 units of this new generation already sold in South Korea since its June debut.