PROS PHEV drivetrain enables limited electric running at speeds up to 135km/h Excellent blend of everyday comfort, refinement and performance 3500kg towing capacity It shares its drivetrain with the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
CONS PHEV drivetrain adds handsomely to the weight Li-ion battery robs 70L of boot space Lacks the traditional hardened performance focus for which Volkswagen R models are renowned
“A curious mix of speed and efficiency with a big dollop of comfort. It's just not especially fun ”
PROS Comfy, plush, quick and a company car bargain
CONS Not as nimble as a Cayenne
The VW Touareg R is comfortable, well-equipped and effortless to drive, but not sharp or engaging enough to be considered a true sports SUV. That leaves it in somewhat of a no man’s land. Put simply, those looking for a fast yet relatively frugal sports SUV would be better served by the similarly priced Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid, while those wanting a luxurious and well-rounded plug-in hybrid luxury SUV would be better off with the BMW X5 xDrive45e.
PROS Well-equipped Spacious inside for up to five people Very quiet in electric mode
CONS Cheap-feeling interior Fussy infotainment system Not very exciting to drive
Changes are few to the 2020 Hyundai Nexo. The base Blue model gets a cargo cover and rear privacy glass, and the Limited gets rain-sensing wipers.
Pros Impressive cruising range, spacious interior, lengthy warranty to back up the exotic technology.
Cons Priced higher than normal crossovers, dull to drive, sparse California-only network of hydrogen stations.
A cargo cover and tinted rear glass are now standard on base Blue model.Automatic wipers added to Limited equipment.Part of the first Hyundai Nexo generation introduced for 2019.The 2020 Hyundai NEXO comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 1-speed direct drive.
Pros Promises 350-plus miles of range from a five-minute hydrogen fill-up Smooth, silent and torquey drive qualities of an electric vehicle SUV-like body style
Cons Only available in select areas of California Hydrogen availability is limited
The Nexo was an all-new model for 2019, so the new decade brings with it minimal changes to the world's first dedicated hydrogen-powered SUV. The base model, named Nexo Blue, now includes a rear cargo cover and rear privacy glass, and the top-spec Limited model sees the addition of rain-sensing window wipers.
Pros Good cruising range Lots of space cabin space Impressive warranty Gives us a look into the future
Cons New tech means high asking price It's not the most entertaining to drive Only practical to own in California Reliability of new powertrain untested
