Hyundai begins sales of the second-generation Nexo in Japan

Following its launch in Europe last January, Hyundai has begun sales of the new Nexo in Japan. This new model, equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system, is offered in the Japanese market at a price ranging between 7.5 and 8.35 million yen. This amounts to roughly between 40,150 and 44,700 euros.

Measuring 4.80 metres long, 1.90 metres wide and 1.70 metres high, the second-generation Nexo is larger than its predecessor, although in the Japanese market it is positioned as a mid-size SUV. It keeps the same wheelbase of 2.80 metres, but its turning radius improves to 5.5 metres, making it easier to manoeuvre on narrow streets.

One of the major advances lies in its renewed hydrogen fuel cell system, capable of generating 110 kW gross, 16 per cent more than the previous model. Meanwhile, the net output of the system rises by 11 per cent to 94 kW. The battery, on the other hand, doubles its power to 80 kW and increases its energy capacity from 1.56 to 2.64 kWh.

The improvements offered by the new Nexo don’t stop there

The two-stage front electric motor delivers 150 kW with 350 Nm of torque, allowing it to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 7.8 seconds, which is 1.4 seconds less than its predecessor.

In developing the second-generation Nexo, Hyundai engineers have kept the three hydrogen tanks, but slightly increasing their capacity to 54 litres in total. As a result, it can store 6.69 kg of hydrogen compared with 6.33 kg in the previous model, all without reducing the interior space available to occupants. The South Korean manufacturer also promises that the time needed to complete a refuelling has not changed and remains around five minutes.

As for range, the new Nexo can cover up to 1,014 kilometres in its version with 18-inch wheels, while versions fitted with 19-inch wheels reach 970 kilometres without stopping to refuel.

In Japan, the new Nexo may qualify for a subsidy of 1.47 million yen – roughly 7,870 euros – under the Japanese Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) programme. As a result, its base price drops to just 6.03 million yen – roughly 32,285 euros at current exchange rates. Residents of the Chiyoda district in Tokyo can also access additional aid of up to 2.2 million yen, so the total saving can reach 3.7 million yen – roughly 19,800 euros. That leaves the base price of the new Nexo at a surprising 20,500 euros at current exchange rates. A real bargain, we’d say.