The 2026 NEXO is Hyundai’s 826-km hydrogen bet

While Hyundai is constantly increasing its battery electric car lineup, and achieving solid sales there, it still hasn't given up on hydrogen. Its new second-generation NEXO is a second gen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) claims to be a direct challenge to the idea that batteries are the only future for EVs. Ready for a global launch in early 2026, the new NEXO comes with numbers that battery-powered electric cars will find hard to beat: a range of 513 miles and a five-minute refill.

It's easy to tell the new NEXO from the previous model, and underneath it is an entirely different vehicle. Hyundai upgraded the fuel cell and doubled the discharge power of the high-voltage battery. The new battery can kick out 80 kW, up from 40 kW. This works with a new, more powerful hydrogen fuel cell stack that makes 110 kW (gross). Together, the total system power jumps to 190 kW. The new electric motor provides 150 kW, cutting the 0-100 km/h sprint time to 7.8 seconds - a big improvement over the old model's 9.2 seconds.

The NEXO's headline number is its 826-km (WLTP) projected driving range, and a full refill takes only five minutes. Of course, you first have to find a hydrogen station, which remains the technology's biggest problem. But if you can, it's far faster than charging. Hyundai also packed more hydrogen (14.75 lb) into its three tanks without stealing cabin space. For European models, the NEXO adds another trick: towing. It's rated to pull up to 2,200 lb, a first for a fuel cell electric car and a boost in practicality. Hyundai also improved its cold-weather performance with a new 'Wake Up' anti-freezing function.

Inside, the Hyundai NEXO is a full-on modern tech showcase. The dashboard is dominated by two 12.3-inch curved screens that handle driving information and entertainment. The system finally supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and can get updates over the air. It even has a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) makes a debut as well. It's a popular feature on other electric cars that lets you power laptops, camping gear, or other electronics directly from the car's battery. Other new toys include a Head-Up Display, a built-in dash cam, a fingerprint scanner to start the car, and a Digital Key 2 system that lets you use your smartphone or Apple Watch as a key.

Hyundai made the new NEXO longer, wider, and taller than before. It measures 15.58 ft long, 6.1 ft wide, and 5.38 ft tall (without the roof rack). This added size means more room for people and stuff. Cargo space is a generous 35.1 ft³ behind the back seats, and a massive 60.7 ft³ if you fold them down.

The front seats are "Premium Relaxation Seats" that even have leg rests. In the back, passengers get more legroom and headroom. The cabin is also lined with eco-friendly materials, like bio-leather, recycled PET fabrics, and the vehicle is painted with bio-paint. Hyundai is wrapping the NEXO in its latest safety technology, built on a new, stronger steel frame. It has up to nine airbags and a full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to help prevent collisions.

It's a bold move from the Korean automaker; the company is leveraging 28 years of fuel cell research for this vehicle. The world focuses on battery EVs, but the 2026 Hyundai NEXO tries really hard to show there's still a powerful, long-range argument for hydrogen electric cars. The only question is whether the hydrogen pumps will be there when it arrives.

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