Toyota has fully rebooted the Mirai as a premium rear-wheel-drive sports-luxury FCEV with improved design, technology, and driving experience and range.
The 2016-2020 Mirai was the first production fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) offered for sale to retail customers in North America. Toyota will offer the 2021 Mirai in two grades, XLE and Limited.
The 2021 Mirai, meaning future in Japanese, is powered by the latest evolution of the brand’s advanced fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) powertrain. The new Mirai is one part of an electrification strategy that also includes Toyota’s current and future hybrids and upcoming battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
Mirai Fuel Cell System
The rear-wheel-drive layout and four-wheel independent suspension allow for increased hydrogen storage to boost EPA-estimated range to 402 miles (Mirai XLE grade), a 30 percent increase over the first-generation Mirai.
Compressed hydrogen fuel is stored in three 10,000-psi carbon-fibre-reinforced high-pressure tanks: one mounted longitudinally in the center of the car; another mounted transversely under the rear seat, and a third below the battery. The three tanks together hold about 11 pounds of hydrogen.
The Mirai can accelerate from 25 mph to 45 mph in 2.8 seconds and has various driving modes such as ECO, NORMAL and SPORT modes. NORMAL balances driving performance and fuel efficiency, ECO mode prioritizes efficiency by optimizing air conditioning operation, and SPORT mode quickens accelerator response and tightens steering feel for a more dynamic driving experience.
Classic Feel: Exterior
The 2021 Mirai takes a classic GT car stance (long-hood, sweeping roofline, short rear deck), rendered in a four-door sedan package with more passenger space. Wheelbase, height, length and width have been improved since the first-generation Mirai. Toyota increased the weight by 176 lbs., yet weight distribution improves to near 50:50, and the center of gravity is lower to enhance handling agility.
The 2021 Mirai will be offered in five exterior colours: Black, Oxygen White, Supersonic Red, Hydro Blue, and Heavy Metal. Hydro Blue, exclusive to the Limited grade, is created with primer, silver base, clear, blue clear, and final clear layers.
Toyota introduces a new lighting signature for a sedan. The Mirai and Mirai XLE are both equipped with auto-levelling bi-beam LED headlights, multi-LED front and rear turn signal indicators, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and clearance lights.
The Mirai XLE uses standard 19-inch five-twin-spoke aerodynamic wheels, with the Limited grade distinguished by black machined-finished versions. The Limited also offers optional 20-inch Super Chrome alloy wheels.
Comfort and Tech: Interior
The Mirai XLE and Limited both employ an 8-inch colour TFT LCD digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The 12.3-inch display provides multimedia, climate control, and navigation. It also relays imagery from the Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan, Overhead 360-Degree View in drive and reverse, and Curb View (standard on Limited and available for XLE).
The 8-inch gauge cluster includes an ECO drive indicator that provides acceleration guidance and assigning a score on economical driving. Hydrogen fuel level and remaining range are always shown.
A standard digital rearview mirror with a HomeLink® transmitter in the Limited can be switched from conventional to digital modes. The latter relays an expansive camera view from behind the vehicle and can also brighten the nighttime image.
The Mirai XLE grade features SoftTex upholstery and heated, power-adjustable front seats (8-way for driver, 4-way for passenger). The Limited steps up to perforated SoftTex-trimmed heated and ventilated front and rear seats, including an 8-way power front passenger seat.
The Limited interior is available in dramatic two-tone colour schemes: white and brown or black. LED ambient lighting includes eight driver-selectable colours and blue footwell illumination.
Safety Features
The 2021 Mirai features more advanced user and safety tech, including Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. This latest generation of Toyota’s driver-assist technology suite includes Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keep Assist. In addition, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is standard on the 2021 Mirai.
Additional TSS 2.5+ features include Automatic High Beams, which detects preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switches between high beam and low beam headlights. Road Sign Assist (RSA), which is designed to recognize certain road sign information using a forward-facing camera and display them on the multi-information display (MID). With DRCC engaged and activated, RSA can also adjust speed up to the posted speed limit if driving slower or down to the posted speed limit if driving faster than posted.
An important enhancement that Toyota has made is the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD). it is now possible for the system to help detect not only the vehicle ahead but also a preceding bicyclist in the daytime and even a preceding pedestrian in low-light conditions. At intersections, the system may detect an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian when performing a left-hand turn and may provide audio/visual alerts and automatic braking in certain conditions. Additional PCS functions include emergency steering assist, which is designed to stabilize the driver’s emergency steering maneuvers within their lane while avoiding a preceding pedestrian, bicyclist or vehicle.
