2019 Hyundai Nexo — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
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
The 2019 Hyundai Nexo scores 7.2/10 at Carivo, ranking #1611 of 2454 suvs, with 4 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $500/year fuel cost.

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 →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2019 Hyundai Nexo

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$2,500 ($500/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 4 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

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 with our free VIN recall checker.

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.

Own a 2019 Hyundai Nexo that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2019 Hyundai Nexo

Is the 2019 Hyundai Nexo reliable?

We rate the 2019 Hyundai Nexo's reliability 7.2/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2019 Hyundai Nexo have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2019 Hyundai Nexo worth buying?

It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #1611 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 34% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2019 Hyundai Nexo cost?

The 2019 Hyundai Nexo starts at $50,575 and ranges up to $62,644 across trims (MSRP when new). At 105 MPG, expect roughly $500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Nexo years should you avoid?

No standout weak years: across the 8 Nexo model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (7.6/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.

What problems does the 2019 Hyundai Nexo have?

The documented issues for the 2019 Hyundai Nexo are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Service brakes, hydraulic, Fuel system, other (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Hyundai Nexo

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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