News Source: topspeed.com

Launched for 2005, the Tucson  compact crossover was Hyundai’s  answer to the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and the Ford Escape. The Tucson did surprisingly well its first year, selling over 60,000 units in the U.S. alone. The small crossover slotted under Hyundai’s larger Santa Fe and Veracruz crossovers. Sharing its platform with the Elantra  sedan and Kia Sportage  crossover, the Tucson  proved to be a decent vehicle for moving people and their stuff. Hyundai launched the Tucson’s second generation for 2010 that included a more stylized look and more efficient engines. The 2015 Tucson is part of Hyundai’s latest experiment with hydrogen fuel cell technology. The new hydrogen system totally replaces the Tucson’s gasoline engine with a power system that runs only on hydrogen, and only emits water vapor and heat as an exhaust.

While the 2015 Tucson isn’t Hyundai’s first attempt at hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, it’s Hyundai’s first successful attempt. The Korean automaker is currently leasing Tucson FCV in select areas of California, including Los Angeles. For $2,999 down and $499 a month, owners can drive their Tucson FCV without the cost of refueling, as Hyundai is including free hydrogen fill-ups at its ‘At Your Service’ maintenance centers.

The exterior of the 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell takes a more conventional route in styling when compared to the 2014 Tucson model. The 2015’s front grille is now has the Hyundai corporate look similar to the grilles found on the 2015 Sonata and Genesis sedan. The six-sided look is clean and less obtuse than before and really makes the Tucson a more seductive vehicle.

With the fuel cell aspect getting all the attention, the crossover also sports some unique adornments not found on regular gasoline-powered Tucsons. The rocker panels how have a shapely satin chrome accent and the fuel door also shares that same look. Several fuel cell badges are found around the exterior, letting onlookers know what’s under the hood.

Inside the Tucson Fuel Cell is the same interior found in the conventional Tucson. Shapely curves give the dashboard plenty of character while the center-mounted infotainment screen give it plenty of functionality. The HVAC controls get their own section below the infotainment screen and provide easy manipulation of temperature, fan speed, and defrost functions.

The center console is full of cubby spaces and cup holders, giving owners plenty of space to store their stuff. Twin analog gauges in the driver’s gauge cluster flank a small screen that displays pertinent information on the crossover’s operation.

Like any good crossover, the rear seats fold flat, giving owners loads of cargo room. When not hauling stuff, the rear 60/40 split bench provides a nice place for three passengers to sit.

Of course, the most notable thing about the Tucson Fuel Cell is its drivetrain. Its hydrogen powerplant uses an electrochemical process that produces electricity from the circulating of hydrogen through a fuel cell. The hydrogen enters the anode portion of the unit while outside air enters the cathode section. Catalysts then split the hydrogen electrons and protons while an electrolyte conducts the positively charged ions while blocking the electrons.

Those electrons are then used to create electricity to power the electric motor. The only byproduct of this hydrogen process is heat and water vapors. No harmful pollutions are created nor emitted.

According to Hyundai, a single fuel cell produces roughly one volt of electricity. Therefore, multiple fuel cells are needed to produce the large amount of power needed. Stacking these cells together in a circuit allows for the generation of large amounts of power.

Hyundai says the Tucson Fuel Cell has a range of 265 miles on a single tank of Hydrogen, however there’s at least one report of the vehicle traveling 435 miles on a single fill-up. Currently Tucson Fuel Cells are available on a 36-month lease program. With $2,999 down and $499 per month after that, leasees can drive their Tucsons up to 12,000 miles per year. The best part of the lease deal is the hydrogen fuel comes free of charge at one of several California-based stations.