Hyundai may have just set a record for the largest manufacturer discount we’ve ever seen on a new car. Unfortunately,…
Hyundai may have just set a record for the largest manufacturer discount we’ve ever seen on a new car. Unfortunately, the car in question is a practical choice for only a tiny number of people.
Through Jan. 2, 2024, Hyundai is offering $33,000 off its Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The Nexo Blue starts at $60,135 before the discount. Blue, we should explain, is the name of the base trim level. You can order the Nexo in other colors.
The offer also comes with $15,000 worth of free fuel. But there’s a catch.
The Nexo is a compact SUV powered by hydrogen. Its only emission is water, and it can travel up to 380 miles between refueling sessions. But those refueling sessions require access to a hydrogen filling station.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are just 63 of them in all of North America. Three are in Vancouver, one in Quebec, and all the rest in California, in Sacramento or further south.
That’s why Hyundai only sells the Nexo in the Golden State.
The Nexo could be ideal if you live in California and your driving never takes you more than 190 miles from the nearest hydrogen refueling stations. Our expert test driver found the interior pleasant and liked the “overall futuristic look of the cabin” but said it lacked the zip of electric cars.
If you must leave SoCal, Hyundai also gives Nexo owners a 21-day rental car credit redeemable within three years.
It’s not unusual for automakers to offer hydrogen-powered cars with deep discounts. Last holiday season, Toyota offered a $25,000 discount with six years of free hydrogen on its Mirai fuel-cell car. The company hasn’t matched that offer this year.