Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2020 Hyundai Nexo

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Hydrogen
2020 Hyundai Nexo 4-door SUV
2019 Hyundai Nexo shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Blue 4-door 2wd

The Hyundai Nexo was introduced in the 2019 model year. This SUV is based on the Tucson, but is a hydrogen-run fuel cell vehicle. Power comes from an electric motor.

Other available safety features: Daytime running lights, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and lane departure prevention (all standard).

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

Intrusion of the door hinge pillar and instrument panel contributed to a moderate risk of injury to the left lower leg.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1904
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 18
Footrest (cm) 9
Left toepan (cm) 5
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 4
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 8
Upper dash (cm) 12
Lower instrument panel (cm) 13

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1904
Head
HIC-15 94
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Femur (kN)
Left 0.7
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.98
Right 0.51
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.8
Right 0.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 125
Right 39

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Limited 4-door 2wd

The Hyundai Nexo was introduced in the 2019 model year. This SUV is based on the Tucson, but is a hydrogen-run fuel cell vehicle. Power comes from an electric motor. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based a test conducted by Hyundai.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but began to slide off toward the right side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. The side curtain airbag deployed and has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. The side torso airbag also deployed.
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1919
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 11
Footrest (cm) 11
Right toepan (cm) 7
Center toepan (cm) 4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 3
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 7
Right lower dash (cm) 8

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1919
Head
HIC-15 144
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Femur (kN)
Left 0.5
Right 0.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 4
Right 4
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.49
Right 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.9
Right 1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 40
Right 38

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1919
Head
HIC-15 71
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.27
Right 0.18
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 43
Right 31

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Blue 4-door 2wd

The Hyundai Nexo was introduced in the 2019 model year. This SUV is based on the Tucson, but is a hydrogen-run fuel cell vehicle. Power comes from an electric motor.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the moderate overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag during both forward excursion and rebound.

Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF1902
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 4
Left (cm) 7
Center (cm) 10
Right (cm) 10
Brake pedal (cm) 8
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 2
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -2
Rearward (cm) -2
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF1902
Head
HIC-15 226
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 15
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.2
Femur force - right (kN) 0.2
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.36
Maximum tibia index - right 0.70
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.7
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 42
Right 54

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Hyundai Nexo Fuel Cell Blue 4-door 2wd

The Hyundai Nexo was introduced in the 2019 model year. This SUV is based on the Tucson, but is a hydrogen-run fuel cell vehicle. Power comes from an electric motor.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle and barrier just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES1904
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -16.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES1904
Head HIC-15 214
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) 0.8
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 35
Lateral force (kN) 1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 36
Average deflection (mm) 32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.63
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.42
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 2.6
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.4
Combined force (kN) 3.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.1
L-M moment (Nm) 83
A-P moment (Nm) -17

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES1904
Head HIC-15 97
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 40
Lateral force (kN) 1.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 42
Average deflection (mm) 32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.63
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.66
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.0
Combined force (kN) 2.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.4
L-M moment (Nm) 187
A-P moment (Nm) -43

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Tucson SE 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to the Hyundai Tucson (tested) and the structurally similar Kia Sportage and Hyundai Nexo (beginning with 2017 Sportage models and 2019 Nexo models).

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,449 lbs
Peak force18,531 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.37

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leatherette seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leatherette seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 24
Distance below top of head (mm) -4
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 13.2
Head contact time (ms) 60
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 419

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Trim level(s)

  • All trims
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right and gradual left curves and fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right and gradual left curves and inadequate on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on both left curves and on the sharp right curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • All trims
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 130.9 m None
Straightaway left edge 67.5 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 68.4 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 65.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 51.3 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 49.3 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 165.2 m
Straightaway left edge 148.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 68.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 67.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 51.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 50.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2019-25 models

Advanced
Advanced

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 31 mph. A warning was issued 1.7 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimFuel Cell Blue
Seat type leatherette

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimFuel Cell Blue
Seat type leatherette
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 9
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 8
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 12
Clearance angle (degrees) 78
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 15
Clearance angle (degrees) 76
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation