Used 2021 Toyota Mirai

The Toyota Mirai was the first production fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) sold to retail customers in North America. In basic terms, the Mirai was an electric car with an onboard fuel-cell that converted hydrogen to electricity, which in turn powered the electric motor and charged the battery. There was no need to plug in the Mirai, and the hydrogen fuel gauge looked much like a gas gauge in a conventional gasoline-powered automobile.

For 2021, there’s an all-new Toyota Mirai. This 2nd-generation hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle represents a huge improvement over the outgoing model. It’s based on a new chassis related to that of the big Lexus LS sedan. As such, it is longer (longer 3.3 inches), lower (by 2.5 inches), and wider (by 2.7 inches) than the outgoing model, and it rides on a wheelbase stretched by a significant 5.5 inches. It’s also rear-wheel drive (RWD).

The larger chassis allows the all-new 2021 Toyota Mirai to have a sleek coupe-like roofline while also being a practical 4-door sedan that seats five. Although this Toyota FCEV has gained 176 pounds, the new Mirai benefits from 50/50 weight distribution (compared to 58/42 for the previous front-drive car) and a lower center of gravity. Toyota also has switched from a nickel-metal-hydride battery to a smaller lithium-ion unit with better energy density. The 98-lb. battery, which weighs five pounds less than the one in the previous Mirai, fits between the rear seat and the trunk, and air from the interior is used to keep it cool.

Toyota sees its new Mirai as a sort of flagship sedan, but it will be sold only in California and in very limited numbers. In 2021, Toyota expects to sell approximately 3,250 of these hydrogen-powered FCEVs, which are offered in XLE and Limited trim. The XLE has a range of 402 miles. The Limited can travel 357 miles between fill-ups.

It takes about five minutes to refuel the Mirai at one of the 42 hydrogen stations currently open in California. The onboard hydrogen is stored in three cylindrical tanks, each a 3-layer design incorporating a polymer inner liner and a pair of outer layers reinforced by carbon-fiber and other composites.

The operating pressure inside the tanks is 10,000 psi. Hydrogen, to be clear, is not combusted in the Mirai; rather, it is converted into electricity by the new fuel-cell stack, which is about 20 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than before. As a result, it fits under the Mirai’s hood.

The all-new Mirai underscores Toyota’s commitment to hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles, and the company is working hard to expand the hydrogen-refueling infrastructure that is so crucial. Toyota says there will be more than 150 operational hydrogen stations by 2025, with new facilities coming in San Diego and the Northeast.

Other fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) currently on the market are the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell and the Hyundai Nexo, both also available only in California.

If you’ve driven an electric car, you’ll have a good idea of what it’s like to drive the 2021 Mirai. The only difference: The Mirai doesn’t need to be plugged in. A fuel-cell stack beneath the hood converts onboard hydrogen into electricity, which is then used to power the rear wheels and charge the lithium-ion battery behind the rear seat.

This is a quiet and highly refined sedan. While it’s not quick, it always seems to have plenty of power on tap, and it climbs steep grades without breaking a sweat. EVs typically have great torque, and the Mira is no exception. There are three driving modes (Sport, Normal, Eco), each progressively less snappy but all totally acceptable in daily driving.

The new Mirai is based on a version of the Lexus LS chassis, but it doesn’t feel like that big luxury sedan. Rather, it’s a more compact sedan that benefits from a low center of gravity and well-tuned multilink suspension front and rear. The ride quality is excellent, and although the Mirai doesn’t exactly invite enthusiastic driving, it’s quite capable when pushed hard on curving mountain roads.

When you do go down a long hill, pulling the Mirai’s shift lever back into the Br mode will provide some extra regenerative braking while lessening the burden on the 4-wheel disc brakes. The Br mode also can be used for a hint of slowing prior to a curve.

The Mirai brakes work just fine. They’re not overly sensitive at slow parking lot speeds. Similarly, the electric-assist steering has good feel. And although you might expect to hear some hissing or other operational sounds while driving the Mirai, you don’t. However, Toyota does pipe in a bit of propulsion audio through the audio system to make the Mirai sound a bit more like a conventional car.

During initial acceleration, the Mirai uses electricity stored in its battery, just like in a conventional EV. After that, it transitions to using power coming from the fuel-cell. This transition is smooth and imperceptible to the Mirai driver.

There’s more interior room than in the 1st-gen Mirai, with a greater emphasis on luxury. While the rear seat now accommodates three across, the middle spot is tight, and that person must straddle a tunnel that accommodates the main hydrogen tank running longitudinally beneath the floor.

The dash panel – three inches wider than that of the 1st-gen Mirai – looks like a single sculptural form as it flows into the door panels. The armrest on the console is significantly larger than before, and it, like the dash, is covered in a synthetic leather called SofTex. A metal panel that runs atop the dash to conceal the speakers adds some appreciated texture.

Of note, the new Mirai has a layer of Thinsulate in its infrared-reflecting headliner, helping to keep heat out of the cabin and reduce the electrical load on the air-conditioning system.

Mirai XLEs get SoftTex upholstery and heated, power-adjustable front seats. Mirai Limited models get perforated SoftTex upholstery plus heated and ventilated front and rear seats. The Mirai Limited also gets a 2-tone color scheme: white and brown, or white and black. The Limited comes with a digital rearview mirror. Rear passengers in the Limited also get a fold-down rear armrest that has controls for the stereo and air conditioning.

In the driver’s seat, the new Toyota Mirai Limited, with its 2-panel fixed sunroof, has just enough room for a 6-foot 4-inch driver. In back, despite the sculpted headliner, we wouldn’t want to be any taller than about 6-foot. It’s worth noting that the rear seat does not fold forward to increase cargo capacity. The lithium-ion battery, mounted between the rear seat and the trunk, is in the way. There’s also a transverse hydrogen tank below that battery.

Is the Mirai the best-looking current Toyota? Possibly. By switching to a larger, rear-drive platform, Toyota has given the Mirai an attractive coupe-like roofline without compromising it as a sedan.

Indeed, the Mirai looks great with its long hood, sweeping roofline, and short rear deck. At the same time, it’s a practical 4-door sedan with smooth sides and a sculpted rocker area that kicks up near the rear wheels. In back, note how the Mirai body neatly tapers into an integrated rear spoiler.

The result is an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.29, thanks also to a flat underbody cover, optimized airflow through the wheel wells, aero fins in front of the rear side windows, and even windshield wipers that retract to a lower position when not in use.

Five exterior colors are available on the 2021 Mirai: Black, Oxygen White, Supersonic Red, Heavy Metal, and Hydro Blue. The last color, exclusive to the Limited, is created with a silver base coat and a blue clear coat, plus other clear layers.

The Mirai XLE has 19-inch wheels and tires. The Limited also has 19s standard, but it can be ordered with 20-inch chrome wheels.

THE ONBOARD FUEL-CELL
The fuel cell, mounted under the Mirai’s hood and more compact than before, serves as an onboard electrical generator. By combining hydrogen and oxygen, it generates electricity, with the only byproduct being water. It produces 128 kilowatts of power.

EXTENDED TOYOTACARE
This complimentary maintenance plan lasts for three years or 35,000 miles, whichever comes first. Extended ToyotaCare covers all normal factory scheduled service.

As a significant new technology demonstrator that helps Toyota meet its goal of having 25 percent of its vehicles be electrified by 2025, the Mirai comes well equipped, even in base XLE form.

Besides its advanced hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, the Mirai XLE has a 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, active cruise control, a 14-speaker JBL audio system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charger, and LED headlights and taillights.

The Mirai Limited ups the ante with all the equipment above, plus a dual-pane fixed sunroof, a digital rearview mirror, a bird’s eye camera, heated, power-folding side mirrors, LED interior lighting, a power rear-window sunshade, black 19-inch alloy wheels, optional 20-inch chrome alloy wheels, and a fold-down center armrest with stereo and a/c controls.

All 2021 Toyota Mirai models also come with free hydrogen fill-ups for six years (if you purchase) or three years (if you lease). Either way, the dollar amount of the free hydrogen tops out at $15,000. Also standard: The Toyota Safety System 2.5+ safety suite and Extended ToyotaCare, a complimentary maintenance plant that lasts for three years or 35,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Only a few options are available on the 2021 Toyota Mirai. The Mirai XLE can be ordered with an Advanced Technology Package ($1,410) and special paint ($425). The Mirai Limited is available with chrome 20-inch alloy wheels ($1,120) and special paint ($425).

The fuel-cell in the new Mirai combines hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity. Still a 650-volt system, it is 20 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than the one used in the original Mirai, and it has 12 percent better output. As such, it fits under the hood. (In the previous Mirai, a front-driver, the fuel-cell was under a raised section of floorboard.)

Generated electricity goes to a lithium-ion battery, which is smaller and lighter, and more powerful than the nickel-metal-hydride battery used in the first Mirai. Electricity also goes to the rear-mounted electric motor.

The new Mirai has 182 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, which compares favorably to the original car’s 151 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. While sharp-eyed readers will see that the peak torque has gone down a bit, Toyota says that’s misleading because revised gearing has actually increased the final drive torque of the 2021 Mirai.

Compressed hydrogen gets stored in three cylindrical tanks reinforced with carbon fiber that operate at about 10,000 psi. The main tank sits longitudinally down the spine of the Mirai, beneath the floorboard. Another tank rests transversely under the rear seat, while the third and smallest one lives below the battery in back. All tallied, the three tanks hold roughly 11 pounds of hydrogen.

The EPA range of the 2021 Toyota Mirai is 402 miles for the XLE. That’s 30 percent more than the previous Mirai. The 2021 Toyota Mirai Limited has a range of 357 miles. At the hydrogen station, expect it to take about five minutes to refuel your Mirai.

Fuel-cell stack, electric motor, lithium-ion battery
182 horsepower
221 lb-ft of torque
Battery capacity: 1.24 kWh
EPA city/highway fuel economy: est 76 MPGe/71 MPGe (XLE), est 67 MPGe/64 MPGe (Limited)
Range: 402 miles (XLE), 357 miles (Limited)