carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Hydrogen |
| City / Hwy MPG | 59 / 54 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 57 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $52,360–$65,041 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2020 Hyundai Nexo at 7.3/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, 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. We score reliability at 7.5/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.6/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $52,360–$65,041, 106 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Nexo sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2020 Hyundai Nexo is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in value and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
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 →
The 2020 Hyundai Nexo ranks #1384 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 44% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $52,360 starting price is about 45% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Nexo model years we've scored, the 2020 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $52,360 | |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $50,575 | Read review → |
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.
| Electrical system / Software 09/04/2020 · 20V213000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Nexo and Sonata vehicles. The Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) software may fail to prevent vehicle movement upon detection of an RSPA system malfunction. |
|---|---|
| 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 / 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.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
