In parallel to the developments in the fuel cell and hydrogen production, storage, and delivery technologies, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) have started to take more attention; and several commercial products and prototypes have been already released. Modeling and simulation are important techniques to choose the design and operating parameters of the powertrain components of these vehicles and thus enhance their performance. This paper discusses, compares, and synthesizes different methods used for modeling vehicle dynamics and main powertrain components (fuel cell system, hydrogen storage unit, battery, transmission, electric motor, energy management system) as well as the drive cycle and life cycle simulations for FCEV. Rule-based and metaheuristic energy management methods for FCEV are discussed. Recent papers on the modeling and simulation of FCEV are categorized according to the powertrain components and methods used, and briefly discussed. The findings of this paper guide the researchers to select the optimum FCEV powertrain component types and their technical properties through modeling and simulation methods.