Compare the2022 Hyundai NexoVS 2021 Tesla Model Y

The Nexo Limited has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model Y only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Nexo’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model Y doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Nexo’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model Y doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Nexo has standard Blue Link, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model Y doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Nexo and the Model Y have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Nexo its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Model Y has not been tested, yet.

The Nexo comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Model Y’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Nexo 2 years longer than Tesla covers the Model Y. Any repair needed on the motor, fuel cell, batteries, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Model Y ends after only 8 years or 100,000 miles.

The Nexo’s corrosion warranty is 3 years and unlimited miles longer than the Model Y’s (7/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 6 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Nexo’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 31st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 75 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 19 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

The Nexo’s maximum driving range on a full tank of hydrogen is 380 miles, 56% further than the Model Y RWD’s 244-mile range and 17% further than the Model Y Long Range’s 326-mile range. After it exhausts its hydrogen, the Nexo can then refuel in minutes at a hydrogen filling station, while the Model Y has to recharge for 30 minutes for only a 50% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 8 hours and 30 minutes.

For better maneuverability, the Nexo’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the Model Y’s (36.7 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

The Hyundai Nexo may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Tesla Model Y.

The Nexo is 3.1 inches shorter than the Model Y, making the Nexo easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Nexo has .2 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model Y.

The Nexo has a much larger cargo volume than the Model Y with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 25.1 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, just waiting momentarily behind the back bumper can open the Nexo’s liftgate, leaving your hands completely free. The Model Y doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Nexo has a standard rear wiper. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Nexo’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model Y doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Nexo has standard extendable sun visors. The Model Y doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Nexo’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Model Y’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Nexo Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Model Y doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Nexo Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Model Y doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Nexo has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Model Y doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Nexo has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Model Y doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.