Sadly, if you’re a private buyer and not a fleet customer, you can’t actually buy a Hyundai Nexo. At least, not yet.
The brand is currently rolling this interesting SUV out amongst special interest fleet buyers, and our test drive comes as the first 20 examples are handed over to the ACT government which is also celebrating the opening of a new refuelling station in the territory.
Hyundai is leasing Nexos out to early fleet adopters for a set (and undisclosed) monthly fee for the time being but promises it will consider taking private orders once the refuelling network is more established and its usage is better understood.
We’ll get back to you on price if and when it becomes more available to private customers. Don’t expect it to be cheap.
We took a look at the Nexo’s Korean retail price, where it starts from the equivalent of A$83,645 before on-road costs and in Korea’s more forward-thinking case, tax benefits.
Thankfully though, as a “technology leader” for the brand, Hyundai’s local division has chosen to import the car with every possible spec item from the factory.
This includes a dual-screen layout with a 7.0-inch digital dash as well as a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity, fully leather-appointed interior trim, heated and ventilated power adjustable front seats, heated steering wheel and outboard rear seats, dual-zone climate control, 19-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, fully LED head- and tail-lights, an eight-speaker audio system, smart parking assist with remote function, flush door handles with keyless entry and push-start ignition. That’s a lot of stuff. If this were my fleet car, I’d be pretty happy.
Rivals? The only electric cars with anywhere near an equivalent range are the Tesla Model 3 ($86,325), Mercedes-Benz EQC ($141,400), and Audi E-Tron ($137,100), but as it is with these models you’re faced with high retail prices and long recharging times from anything but an ultra-fast DC station.
There’s also the Prius-shaped-and-sized Toyota Mirai kicking around. It’s also an FCEV and also available to limited fleets.