Hyundai Nexo is the first hydrogen car crash tested by the IIHS

Hyundai and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have good news: The 2019 Hyundai Nexo did not explode in crash testing. That’s a big deal, considering it’s the first production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to be tested by the IIHS. Even better, it earned top marks and was awarded the Top Safety Pick+. 

While we certainly didn’t expect it to explode, the public still can’t seem to shake images of the Hindenburg bursting into flames whenever someone mentions the prospects of driving a car powered by hydrogen. Nevermind they’re nearly all driving around with several gallons of gasoline. Acing a full regimen of IIHS crash tests could help change that perception. 

Like fellow fuel cell vehicles the Toyota Mirai and Honda Clarity, the Hyundai Nexo is offered in extremely limited quantities exclusively in California. The IIHS normally wouldn’t test such a low-volume vehicle, but Hyundai nominated the car for testing, and the IIHS saw it as a good opportunity to test a fuel cell vehicle for the first time. 

The IIHS has a scale that measures a test as Poor, Marginal, Acceptable, or Good. The Nexo SUV, which starts at $59,935 and has a claimed range of 380 miles, scored Good marks in all six tests. The driver-side small overlap front crash, the passenger-side small overlap front crash, the moderate overlap front crash, the side impact crash, roof strength, and head restraints and seats all earned Good overall ratings. The IIHS also rated the headlights good or acceptable, depending on the trim, and the frontal crash prevention systems were found to be Superior (as opposed to Advanced or Basic).

Including the Nexo, Hyundai now has 12 Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ vehicles sold in the U.S. market. See more videos and read the full report on the IIHS’ website.