Hyundai’s new hydrogen car goes on sale in South Korea with 720 km range
Hyundai has officially begun sales of the second-generation NEXO in South Korea – its latest hydrogen fuel cell SUV – now updated with more power, longer range, and a sharper look inspired by last year’s Initium concept.
This is the first full model change for the NEXO since 2018. Following its production debut in April, the new version is now on sale with upgraded drivetrain components, faster acceleration, and a host of driver aids and convenience features.
More power, more range, five-minute refuelling
The drivetrain has been comprehensively upgraded, with the new NEXO getting a 94 kW fuel cell stack, 80 kW battery and 150 kW motor – up from 120 kW in the previous model.
Hydrogen storage rises to 6.69 kg, helping deliver a class-leading 720 km range (on 18-inch wheels, Korean test cycle), while 0-100 km/h speeds up to a brisk – for a family SUV – 7.8 seconds. Refuelling still takes around five minutes using standard 700-bar pumps.
Trim levels and pricing
For the first time, Hyundai is offering the NEXO in three trims: Exclusive, Exclusive Special, and Prestige.
Prices start from approx £41,350 / $56,226 in Korea, with national and local subsidies potentially bringing that down to an incredibly cheap £21,080 / $28,667. The final price depends on local authority support, which varies by region.
Hyundai has also introduced a new ownership programme, NEXO EveryCare, to ease running costs and improve long-term value:
- Up to ₩55,000 per month in hydrogen refuelling support – around £30 or $40 – for two years
- A ₩3 million trade-in bonus (roughly £1,620 / $2,200) for returning NEXO owners who upgrade to the new model
- 3 years/60,000 km ‘general’ warranty, with a 10 year/160,000 km hydrogen-specific warranty
The package also includes:
- Free annual inspections for 8 years
- Emergency hydrogen top-up delivery (good for up to 100 km range)
- Guaranteed 68% residual value if resold within 3 years
New look, smarter kit
The style of the new NEXO follows Hyundai’s new ‘Art of Steel’ design language, with a bolder front end, fixed glass roof, digital mirrors and a more upright stance.
Inside, the new cabin layout focuses on comfort and clarity, with integrated curved displays, fingerprint recognition, Hyundai’s AI assistant, and V2L power outlets both inside and out.
Driver assistance has been overhauled too, with Highway Driving Assist 2, Forward Collision Avoidance 2, Smart Cruise Control with junction logic, and Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 all available, alongside a full suite of parking sensors, cameras and warning systems.
The system also now includes a real-time Route Planner that – get this – checks the operational status, availability and queue length of South Korea’s 214 hydrogen stations.
What’s next?
This is a proper upgrade, and one that gives Hyundai’s fuel cell programme renewed momentum.
The second-generation NEXO is faster, smarter and more efficient than before and looks the part too.
No export timeline has been confirmed, that will depend on how soon Europe and the US can roll out their hydrogen infrastructure.
But with both territories showing renewed interest in hydrogen, the new NEXO could be ready to go international soon enough.
