2023 Toyota Mirai Electric

XLE and Limited are the two trim levels available for the rear-wheel-drive 2022 Toyota Mirai midsize sedan. It is one of just two fuel cell electric cars that run on hydrogen that are available today. Three onboard carbon fiber-reinforced tanks that can hold a total of 12.3 pounds of hydrogen are used to store the gas. The base trim will start selling for $50,525 while the higher Limited trim will carry a sticker price of $67,000. Buyers also have the option of choosing the Advance Technology Package that brings on board parking sensors for both front and rear, a birds-eye view camera, front row foot illumination, and 20-inch all-chrome wheels which are exclusive for the Limited model. Regardless of whether you choose the optional package, the Mirai comes loaded with a long list of standard features.

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The Mirai is just as much a lifestyle choice as it is a vehicle because of the scarcity of filling stations. To make the driving experience as enjoyable as possible, we believe buyers who are willing to make the switch should choose the finest model available. For this reason, we suggest the Limited, which comes equipped with several opulent amenities and lifestyle enhancements.

Release Date

Toyota hasn? made any official announcement about the release dates of the 2023 Mirai but reports suggest that the sedan would be unveiled toward the end of 2022.

When compared to battery electric car equivalents, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are quite moderate. With a time of 8.1 seconds to reach 60 mph, the Toyota Mirai is the fastest fuel cell vehicle available, but by the standards of electric vehicles, it is laughably slow. The Toyota Mirai is propelled by a so-called fuel-cell electric powertrain, in which the onboard fuel cell, basically a mobile laboratory for chemical reactions convert hydrogen into electric energy. Electrons are removed from hydrogen atoms in fuel cells to produce electricity to power the motor while the hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water. As a result, an electric car is created that is powered by hydrogen from a pump as opposed to electrons from the country's electrical power infrastructure. Although this might sound like tech from one of Inspector Gadgets' episodes, Hydrogen-powered cars have been there for almost a decade now. The 182 horsepower generated by the Mirai's electric motor is all transferred to the rear wheels via a one-speed direct-drive transmission. The Mirai's electric motor power delivery is quick, so even though it takes a while for it to reach 60 mph, it seems faster than that when cruising through town. A surprising amount of agility is also delivered by the rear-wheel drive chassis while maintaining a smooth and composed ride.

It is very evident that the electric counterparts offer more power and quicker acceleration, making them better performers. The Tesla tops the table by hitting 60mph in under 6 seconds while the Polestar closely follows. Out of the two hydrogen cars, the Toyota is more affordable and quicker to 60 but Hyundai covers the quarter mile at a slightly quicker time, thanks to its higher top speed. However, the rear advantage for the Mirai comes in the form of comfort and premium feels in its rive that is far more superior than what the EVs provide.

2023 Toyota Mirai Ride and Handling

The horsepower and torque of the Mirai aren't that different from those of a Camry. Due to all that torque, it may even be faster off the mark, but it loses steam far sooner than its ICE-powered sibling. Even quieter than your standard EV, the entire process occurs in near silence. The suspension is naturally calibrated for comfort. The Mirai still absorbs bumps nicely on its large multi-spoke wheels, with little jarring or noise entering the cabin. Because most of the weight is distributed evenly throughout the chassis, the handling is excellent. Average wind noise can be heard on the highway but it isn't very evident.

2023 Toyota Mirai Braking Performance

The 2023 Mirai comes equipped with ventilated rotors to allow efficient and quicker cooling of the brakes for optimal performance. The front wheels carry 14-inch rotors while the rear wheels carry 13.1-inch discs. Like its EV rivals, the Mirai comes with a regenerative braking system that converts the kinetic energy produced from constant braking into usable electric energy that charges the motor. Mirai is also available with automatic braking assist and active cornering assist along with some basic braking tech. The brake pedal does feel responsive enough and the sedan stops from a 60 mph run in just 118 feet.

The Toyota carries the largest front brakes capable enough to secure it the top spot but its massive weight puts the Miari right below the Polestar, which stops in just 114 ft. The Mirai does the task in just 118 ft., making it a great performer. Over to the bottom and you'll find the Tesla with its weaker braking figures despite being the lightest vehicle in the lineup. The Hyundai Nexo on the other hand hasn? been tested for its braking distance but from the spec sheet, It does not seem like it would beat the Toyota.

The Mirai's estimated range for the entry-level XLE trim is up to 402 miles and 357 miles for the Limited trim. That is more effective than its direct rival, the Hyundai Nexo. Hydrogen is expensive too and filling the Mirai completely can cost $90, but with the hydrogen credit that Toyota offers its customers, it is possible to avail $15,000 worth of hydrogen for free during the first 6-years. Running out of hydrogen shouldn? be a concerning issue either as the 1.24 kWh electric motor is capable of powering the car for a few miles which should be necessary to find the next hydrogen station.

The EVs carry much better economy figures and the Tesla is rated to have a massive 132 MPGe in combined driving conditions. The Polestar closely follows but the hydrogen cell helps the Toyota cover a much better range than what the EVs are capable of. While the Tesla tops out at a 275-mile range, the Mirai takes the win with a whopping 402 miles of total range. The Hyundai takes the second spot with an impressive 380-mile rating, which leaves the Polestar in the last spot. Though hydrogen stations might be harder to find, the massive range is ample enough to get to the ones spread across the state of California.

The stylish interior of the 2022 Mirai reflects its sleek exterior. The dash and door panels feature various curved components that are highlighted by copper-colored trim pieces, although the upper portion of the dashboard is dominated by the big infotainment screen and nearly all-digital instrumentation. It has a futuristic and opulent design befitting of a vehicle with a slightly over $50,000 starting price. Even more luxuries than the base XLE are included in the more expensive Limited model, such as a sunroof, heated and ventilated front, and back seats, three-zone automatic temperature control, and more. Although it is larger and longer than a Lexus midsize sedan, the internal passenger room is less, especially in the back. Although not by a wide margin, it is an upgrade over the Mirai from the previous generation. The Mirai is relatively simple to enter and exit despite having smaller-than-expected rooms because of its ample door clearances. Additionally, Toyota made a special effort to make it easier to look outside the cabin even if you don? pick the Limited trim which features a 360-degree camera.

Talking about the passenger space, the Hyundai offers a massive cabin that keeps all the passengers comfortable. This is because the Nexo is a midsize SUV unlike the other vehicles here. The Mirai falls behind in terms of the rear row seating especially on the middle seat as the tall powertrain tunnel makes it uncomfortable for someone to occupy that spot. Another area where the Mirai falls is in terms of its cargo space and it is the only offering to carry a trunk that is smaller than 10 cubes of space. Its hydrogen rival, the Hyundai offers the biggest cargo space but if a sedan is what you want to stick to, the Tesla takes the win. The Polestar is comparable to the space that the Mirai offers but it's much more spacious on the rear row in comparison.

Some standout interior features on the 2023 Toyota Mirai include

• SofTex-trimmed front and rear seats
• 8-way power-adjustable front seats
• Heated and ventilated perforated seats
• Three-zone automatic climate control
• Ambient lighting
• Active sound control

How intuitive is the 2023 Toyota Mirai infotainment system?

The remainder of the Toyota range and the Mirai share a lot of interior technology. Although simple to use, the native navigation system is not particularly impressive. The Limited trim's high-end 14-speaker JBL audio system fits this description as well. The Mirai has four USB connections in total, a wireless charging pad, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The enormous 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Mirai is never entirely devoted to smartphone projection, so CarPlay only displays the typical two rows of four icons.

Some of the standout infotainment features on the 2023 Toyota Mirai are

• 12.3-inch touchscreen
• 14-speaker premium audio system by JBL
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Amazon Alexa
• Toyota connected services
• Dynamic navigation with voice control

The previous generation Mirai looked like something in line with the Prius, which many found t to look odd and overdone. However, that isn? the case with the current generation of Mirai and it looks like something from the house of Lexus than Toyota. It sports an angular, pointed front end, coupe-like side profiles, and a dynamic back end with a discreet spoiler and exquisitely fitted taillights. Both variants include a satin black front grille and standard LED external lights, including daytime running lights. The top-spec Limited adds 20-inch alloy wheels and a twin fixed panoramic view moonroof, while the base XLE comes with 19-inch alloy wheels.

The Mirai definitely is the better-looking car on the lot and due to its sleek styling, the sedan happens to be the longest here. The massive proportion does make it challenging to maneuver the Mirai in tight spots when compared to its rivals. The Nexo being an SUV stands the tallest and that makes the car have an evident amount of body roll in corners. Driving the Tesla feels very sporty, thanks to its low ground clearance but the Mirai doe not disappoint in any way as most of its weight is channeled on the bottom, throughout the floor. The heaviest vehicle here is the Polestar but it does not drastically affect the ride due to the fact it ben an EV.

Some of the standout exterior features include

• 19 or 20-inch alloy wheels
• LED taillights and rear combination lights
• Daytime Running Lights
• Dual fixed Panoramic View Moonroof
• Black roof-mounted shark-fin antenna
• Dual-tone heated power-folding outside mirrors

Due to its low volume, which is only sold in California and on the U.S. island of Ohua, neither of the major safety organizations in the country have given the 2023 Toyota Mirai an occupant safety rating. However, that does not make the Mirai unsafe in any way. The Mirai comes with a long variety of active safety features. The list of standard features also includes blind-spot monitors, active lane control, road sign recognition, automated emergency braking, and eight airbags. A digital rear camera mirror is added to the Limited model, which can be handy but can sometimes be confusing. Although the XLE comes with a normal mirror, a surround-view camera system is an option.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Toyota Mirai are

• Bird? eye view camera
• Blind spot monitor
• Mill assist control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Front and rear parking assist
• Intelligent parking assist

2023 Toyota Mirai vs 2023 Hyundai Nexo

With a similar powertrain as the Mirai, the Hyundai Nexo is a modernized and strong competitor. However, the Nexo is an SUV and, because of its crossover design, it offers superior functionality and room than the Mirai, which is a sedan. While the Mirai appears and feels more opulent and exquisite, the Nexo has better top speeds, making it feel quicker. The Mirai is a considerably more attractive car from the outside, and it also has better fuel efficiency and range. Due to all of this, the Toyota Mirai is the preferable option of the two.

2023 Toyota Mirai vs 2023 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range

There is no hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain in the Tesla Model 3. As far as performance goes, the Tesla manages to steal the show without having to struggle as it offers much higher power than the Mirai. In terms of design and comfort, the Mirai feels much more luxurious and polished while Tesla keeps things minimal in comparison. The decision between these two must be based solely on personal preference.

2023 Toyota Mirai vs 2023 Polestar 2 Long Range single motor

The Polestar similar to Tesla is an EV but is priced slightly lesser than the Mirai, giving it an advantage. The Polestar also makes more power and offers a larger trunk for practicality but the Mirai takes the lead in terms of the overall range and the fact that it comes with $15,000 worth of free hydrogen for the initial 6 years makes it much easier to own. For that reason, we find it worth paying the additional cost to pick the Mirai.

It's a great option for a particular driver who resides in one of the major coastal cities in California, doesn't have to go more than 150 miles every day, and has at least two hydrogen stations conveniently located nearby. You won't find a better luxury sedan if that's you and that's what you want. The Mirai offers great comfort and drive quality and the fact that hydrogen cells don? require a long waiting period to fill up unlike EVs makes it much more convenient. Although pure electric vehicles offer more power, the Mirai focuses on providing a plush and relaxed drive for all the occupants.