Toyota Mirai (2015 – 2020) Review
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Toyota Mirai (2015 – 2020) Verdict
The first serious production hydrogen fuel cell car. Very quiet, pleasant and relaxed to drive.
Very expensive to buy at £66,000 (before any government grants).
Find out more about the Toyota Mirai (2015 – 2020)
The hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai is the future, quite literally – that’s what its name means in Japanese. However, it’s incredibly expensive at more than £65,000 and it’s not going to sell in big numbers – just a dozen or so cars a year in the UK. Instead this a showcase of how hydrogen fuel will work in years to come. And it’s seriously impressive.
Filling up the hydrogen tank (or tanks, there are actually two linked together) takes a few minutes and gives a range of more than 300 miles. Unfortunately, there are barely any places to fuel up with hydrogen, but Toyota hopes the infrastructure will come if the cars are made. It’s so dedicated that it has made most of the patents for the Mirai freely available.
Despite its radical styling, the Mirai is incredibly easy to drive, with an automatic transmission, comfortable suspension and excellent refinement. The drive system makes a faint whir, but it’s so quiet the engineers have had to work hard to soundproof the car from other noise, like tyre roar and wind rush, with impressive results.
Performance is good – peak power is 154PS and torque is 335Nm, available from zero rpm. Since there is no gearbox, acceleration is seamless, giving the Mirai great pace away from traffic lights. Since its only emissions are water, it falls into VED Band A and is free to tax.
Space is reasonable, although there are only two rear seats and taller back seat passengers will struggle for head room. Additionally the boot, while a decent size, isn’t as big as you might expect. On the plus side, there is plenty of equipment including a heated windscreen, heated steering wheel and heated seats, as well as leather upholstery.
Price and infrastructure aside, the Toyota Mirai is a very convincing car. With a bigger network of filling stations and a lower purchase price – which will come with mass-production – there is great potential for the Mirai and cars like it as an alternative to range-restricted, slow-charging battery electric vehicles.
Reviews for Toyota Mirai (2015 – 2020)'s top 3 rivals
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Toyota Mirai (2015 – 2020) handling and engines
Unlike a battery-powered EV, the Mirai has a built-in fuel cell that generates electricity by stripping the electrons from hydrogen atoms. The electron-free hydrogen ions then combine with oxygen to create water, which is the only tailpipe emission the Mirai produces. There’s even a button to purge stored water, if you want to show off.
That doesn’t mean the Mirai is fully eco-friendly just yet – most hydrogen is produced using fossil fuels. However, the main things needed to generate hydrogen are water and electricity, so there is no reason it can’t be made using renewable sources like wind, waves or solar energy if demand increases.
The Mirai is front wheel drive, with peak power of 154PS and peak torque of 335Nm. Those figures might not sound much for a car that weighs almost 2000kg, but in reality performance is surprisingly swift. This is particularly true from a standing start, since peak torque is available from zero rpm.
On the road, the Mirai is indistinguishable from an electric car. It’s an automatic, with a single forward gear ratio. Acceleration is seamless and almost silent, with just a faint whir under full throttle. Because the ‘engine’ produces no sound, other noises like wind rush or tyre roar became more noticeable in development.
As a result, engineers worked hard on refinement and it really shows. The Mirai is incredibly quiet and serene on the move, helped further by a comfort-focused suspension set up that irons out lumps and bumps tremendously well. The trade-off is slightly wallowy high-speed cornering, but that kind of driving isn’t really what the Mirai is for.
Filling up with hydrogen takes about the same amount of time as filling up with petrol or diesel and provides potential range of more than 300 miles. However, at current there are very few places to fill up, making the Mirai quite a difficult proposition for most buyers, despite the fact it is so easy and relaxing to drive.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|
Toyota Mirai (2015 – 2020) interior
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4890 mm |
| Width | - |
| Height | 1535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2780 mm |
Toyota started with a blank slate when designing the Mirai, rather than using an existing model and converting it to run on hydrogen. The result is an intelligently packaged, well-made and high tech cabin, but with a few practicality caveats. Fortunately these aren’t major – the Mirai is as user-friendly as most saloon cars.
There are four seats, rather than five, and the aerodynamic roofline means rear headroom can be tight for taller occupants, but there is plenty of legroom. The boot has a capacity of 361 litres, which is plenty for some smaller suitcases, but the position of one of the two hydrogen tanks means the rear seats can’t be folded down.
Up front, the Mirai feels very much like a Toyota, but with a more futuristic layout. The small, joystick-style gear selector is about the only control on the centre stack that isn’t touch sensitive – everything else from navigation to ventilation and heated seats just requires a delicate tap to operate, like a smartphone screen.
Material quality is typically Toyota, with a mixture of solid and hardwearing plastics and plusher, luxurious details like leather upholstery on the seats. All four seats are heated, as is the electrically-adjustable steering wheel, while the front seats are electrically adjustable. Other luxuries include adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and navigation.
Standard Equipment
Mirai comes with pre-crash safety system, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, hill start assist, power windows, auto wipers, auto lights, power adjustable steering column, power adjustable seats, smart entry, push button start, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, Bluetooth, Toyota Touch 2 with navigation, dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated power-fold door mirrors, LED rear lights, LED headlights.
Toyota Mirai (2015 – 2020) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4890 mm |
| Width | - |
| Height | 1535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2780 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | - |
| Boot Space | - |
| Warranty | 5 years / 100000 miles |
| Servicing | 10000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £66,000 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | - |
| Official MPG | - |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
On sale until April 2021
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Saloon 154hp Hydrogen CVT 4dr | £66,000 | - | - |
On sale until April 2017
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Saloon 154hp Hydrogen CVT 4dr | £66,000 | - | - |
Model History
December 2014
Toyota Mirai launched at LA Auto Show in November 2014 and is the first series production hydrogen fuel cell car.
4,890mm long x 1,815mm wide x 1,535mm high on a 2,780mm wheelbase.
It has a range of 300 miles, takes 5 minutes to refuel and emits only harmless water vapour.
The powerplant comprises a proton-exchange fuel-cell, 1.5kWh nickel metal hydride battery and single-speed step-down transmission to the front wheels.
Power is 155PS; torque 335Nm. Top speed 111mph. 0-60 9.4 seconds.
Currently a 300 mile refill costs around £65 in the UK. 15 UK hydrogen fuel stantions and 65 by 2020.
Emits only H2O water vapour. VED exempt. UK price £63,104 inc VAT reduced by any available government grant.
The hydrogen gas tanks are lightweight carbon fibre.
Very large radiators requyired to keep fuel cell cool.
First year production 700 units.
Standard features include LED headlights, heated steering wheel, heated seats, electrically adjustable seats, cruise control, satnav.
March 2015
Toyota Mirai goes on sale
Mirai signals the start of a new age of vehicles. Using hydrogen – an important future energy source – as fuel to generate electricity, it achieves superior environmental performance while providing the convenience and driving pleasure expected of any car.
Mirai uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which features both fuel cell and hybrid technologies and which makes use of Toyota’s new proprietary fuel cell stack and high-pressure hydrogen tanks. The TFCS is more energy efficient than internal combustion engines and emits no CO 2 or pollutants when driven. Drivers can expect the same levels of convenience as offered by petrol engine vehicles, with a generous cruising range and a hydrogen refuelling time of about three minutes 3 .
Mirai delivers everything expected of a next-generation car: an immediately recognisable design; superior handling stability thanks to a low centre of gravity; and quiet but powerful acceleration from an electric motor.
Hydrogen can be generated from a wide range of natural resources and man-made by-products, such as sewage sludge. It can also be created from water using natural, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. When compressed, it has a higher energy density than batteries and it is relatively easy to store and transport. Thus it carries expectations for potential future use in power generation and a wide range of other applications. Fuel cell vehicles – FCVs – are able to generate their own electricity from hydrogen, making them a key factor in creating a future hydrogen-based society and contributing to the acceleration of energy diversification.
The Toyota Fuel Cell System used in Mirai fuses fuel cell and hybrid technologies
The system is more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines, delivers superior environmental performance, with no CO 2 or pollutant emissions when driving, and gives the same level of convenience as a petrol-powered vehicle. Filling up with hydrogen fuel takes about three minutes 3 .
The system uses a number of components developed by Toyota, including the Toyota FC Stack, FC boost converter and high-pressure hydrogen tanks.
The new Toyota FC Stack has a maximum power output of 153bhp/114kW. Its electricity generation efficiency has been enhanced by using 3D fine-mesh flow channels 4 – a world first 5 – which ensure uniform generation on the cell surfaces. This provides compact size, a high performance level and a world-leading 5 power output density of 3.1kW/l. That is 2.2 times greater than the level achieved by the Toyota FCHV-adv, the SUV-based fuel cell vehicle which preceded Mirai.
The amount of water on the fuel cell electrolyte membranes has a substantial influence on the efficiency of electricity generation. In the Toyota FC Stack this controlled by an internal system which circulates the water created in the electricity generation process. Toyota’s technical leadership has eliminated the need for a humidifier – a feature of the fuel cell systems used in its previous FCVs.
Mirai rides on 17-inch aluminium wheels, made with a weight-saving engraving process 7 . At launch, six body colours are available.
Mirai has a sophisticated cabin in which front and rear sections are seamlessly connected. Door trims and other surfaces feature soft padding and a high-luminance silver finish is used throughout.
The front seats are made using Toyota’s integrated foaming production technique 8 to provide excellent body fit and hold. Both driver and front passenger seats come as standard with eight-way power adjustment and motorised lumbar support.
The central meter cluster on the top level of the instrument panel includes speedometer and a 4.2-inch high-definition TFT multi-information display. Display content can be adjusted by the driver using controls on the steering wheel.
The flat air conditioning control panel features electrostatic switches that only need a light touch to activate and adjust seat heaters and other ventilation functions.
Mirai comes as standard with a steering wheel heater and two-setting seat heaters that provide instant warmth with greatly reduced power consumption. The dual-zone climate control allows different temperature settings for the left and right side of the cabin and comes with an eco-mode and Nanoe 9 air purification technology. Three interior colour-ways are available.
Mirai’s high-output Toyota FC Stack and optimal battery power control drive the electric motor and ensure powerful response at all vehicle speeds. The driver experiences an immediate increase in torque at the first press of the throttle pedal and smooth acceleration thereafter.
Handling stability and ride comfort are secured by the location of major parts, such as the Toyota FC stack and high-pressure hydrogen fuel tanks centrally beneath the floor. This creates a low centre of gravity and superior front/rear weight distribution. Mirai also has a high-rigidity body, with particular attention to rigidity around the rear suspension.
A full under-floor cover and aerodynamically designed clearance lights reduce wind resistance and contribute to overall fuel efficiency and handling stability. Aero fins designed into the side of the rear combination lamps also play a part in improving straight-line stability.
Mirai is exceptionally quiet at all speeds, thanks to the electric motor, low wind noise, the full sealing of all body parts and the strategic use of sound-absorbing and sound-blocking materials around the cabin, including noise-reducing glass in the windscreen and door windows.
The driver can make use of Bs (brake support) mode, which makes efficient use of regenerative braking and improves braking performance when a significant reduction in vehicle speed is required, for example when driving on a long downhill section of road.
| Length (mm) | 4,890 |
| Width (mm) | 1,815 |
| Height (mm) | 1,535 |
| Wheelbase | 2,780 |
| Track – front (mm) | 1,535 |
| Track – rear (mm) | 1,545 |
| Minimum ground clearance (mm) | 130 |
| Interior length (mm) | 2,040 |
| Interior width (mm) | 1,465 |
| Interior height (mm) | 1,185 |
| Kerb weight (kg) | 1,850 |
| Seating | 4 people |
October 2015
Only 12 Mirai cars to be imported in 2015, then 18 a year from 2016. UK 700bar hydrogen fuel stations include:
Heathrow: open
Hendon: open
Swindon: open
Teddington: Q4 2015
CEME East London: Q1 2016
Sheffield (wind powered): Q1 2016
November 2015
Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell saloon confirmed as eligible for £5,000 Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) Government grant support, in recognition of its zero emissions performance. This brings the price down to £61,000.
