Hyundai NEXO Receives Top Safety Rating from Euro NCAP

The hydrogen fuel-cell SUV earned five stars in European safety testing, scoring 90 percent for adult occupant protection and 85 percent for child safety measures.

By Angitha Suresh

16 Dec 2025

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Hyundai Motor Company announced on December 16, 2025, that its all-new NEXO has received a five-star rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme. The hydrogen fuel-cell electric SUV achieved scores of 90 percent in adult occupant protection and 85 percent in child occupant protection during the independent safety evaluation.

The NEXO demonstrated stable performance across Euro NCAP's four assessment categories: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection, and safety assistance technologies. In adult occupant tests, the vehicle's passenger compartment remained intact during frontal offset testing, with effective protection for knees, femurs, and other body regions. The SUV received maximum points in side barrier tests and provided whiplash protection rated as good for both front and rear seats.

Child safety tests showed effective protection for six- and ten-year-old test dummies in frontal and side-impact scenarios, earning maximum points. The vehicle includes a front passenger airbag deactivation system with status indication and supports installation of approved child restraint systems.

This marks the fourth consecutive five-star Euro NCAP rating for Hyundai's electrified vehicle lineup, following similar results for the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and IONIQ 9 models. The previous generation NEXO became the first fuel-cell electric vehicle tested by Euro NCAP in 2018 and also received five stars under evaluation standards at that time.

The NEXO operates as a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle, emitting only water vapor during operation. Hyundai has positioned the model as part of its zero-emission vehicle strategy alongside its battery-electric offerings.

Euro NCAP, established in 1997, conducts independent crash and safety assessments of new vehicles sold in Europe. The organization receives support from European governments, consumer groups, and mobility organizations to provide comparable safety information to vehicle buyers.