2019 Hyundai Nexo — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2019 Hyundai Nexo

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $50,575–$62,644
Fuel Economy 105 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $500/yr

Key Specifications — 2019 Hyundai Nexo

TransmissionAutomatic (A1)
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeHydrogen
City / Hwy MPG59 / 54 MPG
Combined MPG57 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$0
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$50,575–$62,644

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2019 Hyundai Nexo

With an overall Carivo score of 7.2/10, the 2019 Hyundai Nexo earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Performance at 6.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.2/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.2/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.4/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.8/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.

Priced from $50,575–$62,644, 105 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Nexo sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2019 Hyundai Nexo, but it needs the right buyer. Its value and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2019 Hyundai Nexo ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $50,575 starting price is about 40% above the segment's median of $36,079.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Nexo Year Should You Buy?

Across the Nexo model years we've scored, the 2019 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.6/10$61,285 Read review →
2025 7.6/10$61,285 Read review →
2024 7.5/10$59,500 Read review →
2023 7.5/10$57,715 Read review →
2022 7.4/10$55,930 Read review →
2021 7.3/10$54,145 Read review →
2020 7.3/10$52,360 Read review →
2019 (this review) 7.2/10$50,575

Pros & Cons — 2019 Hyundai Nexo

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
  • Exceptional fuel efficiency at 105 MPG — among the best in its class
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision

NHTSA Recalls — 2019 Hyundai Nexo (4 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Service brakes, hydraulic / Power assist / Electric / Control module / Software
01/12/2020 · 20V748000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell and 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles. The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and as a result, may significantly reduce braking…
Fuel system, other / Storage / Tank assembly / Filling/charging
07/04/2022 · 22V228000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Nexo vehicles. Following hydrogen refueling, the inlet receptacle filter could detach and cause a hydrogen fuel leak.
Fuel system, other / Delivery
14/04/2022 · 22V258000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Nexo vehicles. The hydrogen gas detection sensors may fail to detect leaks in the hydrogen gas delivery system.
Fuel system, other / Storage / Tank assembly / Pressure relief devices
11/10/2024 · 24V761000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Nexo vehicles. The thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD) may break and cause a hydrogen gas leak, which can result in a fire while parked.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

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