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Would you drive this? 2021 Toyota Mirai
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:02 pm
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:02 pm
The 2021 Toyota Mirai is a solid rear drive sedan with great proportions and attractive styling. This is the second generation of the Mirai from Toyota.
It can go 400+ miles and can refuel in less than 5 minutes. It burns no gasoline or diesel. It doesn't require that you plug it into a wall outlet. It offers the quality construction and interior finishes as a traditional car offered by a major manufacturer, which are areas where Tesla is lacking. Better still - the car is actually affordable at $50,000 to start.
This miniature Hindenburg is the only Toyota rear wheel drive sedan available in the US. It might be the first rear drive Toyota sedan in the states since the 1980s Cressida.
One problem: Hydrogen refueling stations are very hard to come by in the US outside of California. Many are in the process of being built, but they are nowhere near as prolific as charging stations for electric vehicles.
It can go 400+ miles and can refuel in less than 5 minutes. It burns no gasoline or diesel. It doesn't require that you plug it into a wall outlet. It offers the quality construction and interior finishes as a traditional car offered by a major manufacturer, which are areas where Tesla is lacking. Better still - the car is actually affordable at $50,000 to start.
This miniature Hindenburg is the only Toyota rear wheel drive sedan available in the US. It might be the first rear drive Toyota sedan in the states since the 1980s Cressida.
![](https://i.postimg.cc/Hnx4Bns7/1.jpg)
![](https://i.postimg.cc/T14jSxpN/2.jpg)
![](https://i.postimg.cc/G37j9FqP/3.jpg)
![](https://i.postimg.cc/c4vB3vbp/5.jpg)
![](https://i.postimg.cc/JhLNSPz8/6.jpg)
![](https://i.postimg.cc/cLY7DVZT/7.jpg)
quote:
Car and Driver
The 2021 Mirai starts at $50,455—some $9090 cheaper than its predecessor—and rides on Toyota's GA-L platform. With an electric drivetrain powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, drivers get the dual benefits of a zero-emissions vehicle with a conveniently short refueling time similar to a traditional internal-combustion powertrain—provided you can find a hydrogen station. Under the hood of this freshly designed four-door is a smaller and more efficient fuel-cell stack that generates 172 horsepower, which is an increase of 19 horses over the first-generation Mirai. Range is up 30 percent to a quoted 402 miles on the base XLE model. The range increase is due partially to the new Mirai's three cylindrical hydrogen tanks (one more than before) situated under the cabin and trunk that can hold 5.6 kilograms of hydrogen when compressed at 10,000 psi, which is 12 percent more capacity than before. Working together with the fuel cell is a 1.2-kWh lithium-ion battery to power a 182-hp electric motor that sits behind the rear seats.
The result is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle with a nearly 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution, which is something the previous front-wheel-drive model couldn't claim. Toyota's reasoning for the switch from front- to rear-drive boils down to more efficient packaging of the updated fuel cell in the new chassis. We'd say it was a good move, as the Mirai is surprisingly enjoyable to drive. Its well-balanced chassis feels refined and composed. The previous car's strut-type front and torsion-beam rear suspension have been replaced by multilink arrangements fore and aft, which soaked up most of the ruts and bumps we encountered on the mountain roads of Northern California. The bulk of the hydrogen tanks and battery do make the Mirai feel heavy in corners, but not enough to make it unwieldy. Jabs of the accelerator produce a quick hit of force that will be familiar to anyone who's driven a conventional EV. However, with the electric motor's 221 pound-feet of torque tasked with moving about 4300 pounds of Toyota, the run to 60 mph is a lazy one at an expected 9.1 seconds.
The Mirai's premium feel on the road does seep into its relatively spacious five-seat cabin, although some elements of the interior are not quite up to the standard we'd expect to find in a $50K-and-up vehicle. For example, its front seats are comfortable and supportive, but the quality of Toyota's SofTex synthetic leather upholstery looks cheaper than it should. Some drivers will find it a stretch to reach the climate controls, thanks to the swooping design accent across the Mirai's dash. And while the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen for Toyota's Entune infotainment system supports Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay connectivity, the system is not as attractive nor as intuitive as we'd like.
Unlike the ungainly first-gen model, the new Mirai makes its best impression from the outside. Its long hood, sleek greenhouse, and clean body lines all work to give it presence as arguably the best-looking Toyota sedan. Whether its sharp styling was conscious decision to help lure potential buyers into a hydrogen-powered future is up for debate, but it certainly should draw eyes in Toyota showrooms, at least those in the Golden State.
And that's the Mirai's Achilles' heel: Its goodness is trapped in a geographic area. Without plentiful hydrogen stations, even the new car's increased range matters little outside of California. Toyota has and still relies on outside sources to establish a hydrogen infrastructure in the U.S., which leaves the Mirai's future largely to the whims of corporations and government bureaucracy.
The stylish iMac computer eventually helped Apple turn itself around after nearly declaring bankruptcy. It sold more computers, wooed developers to its operating system, and eventually introduced the money-printing iPhone. Apple made sure that the style it sold was supported by the right technology, which helped it blossom into the powerhouse that is today. Hydrogen vehicles have yet to achieve a similar cult status, but Toyota's much-improved Mirai is a compelling step in the right direction.
One problem: Hydrogen refueling stations are very hard to come by in the US outside of California. Many are in the process of being built, but they are nowhere near as prolific as charging stations for electric vehicles.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:04 pm to goofball
quote:
attractive styling
Lies, that thing's fugly.
This post was edited on 12/16/20 at 1:05 pm
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:07 pm to Saint Alfonzo
quote:
Lies, that thing's fugly.
This is the model it replaced. You can still pick one up until January if you prefer the styling:
![](https://i.postimg.cc/4dXD5D7h/8.jpg)
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:10 pm to Saint Alfonzo
quote:
that thing's fugly.
That's how Lexus cars look now
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:11 pm to goofball
Looks like a Toyota Mazda 6
![](https://www.newcartestdrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-mazda6-600x400.jpg)
![](https://www.newcartestdrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-mazda6-600x400.jpg)
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:13 pm to goofball
Looks like a fricking Altima. No thanks.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:14 pm to goofball
quote:
Would you drive this?
quote:
rear drive sedan
Yes.
Hard to find outside the German options.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:16 pm to goofball
Overpriced and not practical. Next
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:16 pm to goofball
quote:
Better still - the car is actually affordable at $50,000 to start.
Is still expensive as hell to me for a vehicle.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:17 pm to Saint Alfonzo
quote:
Lies, that thing's fugly.
Aside from the ridiculous grille, the exterior actually looks pretty good. Interior is ok, but it's a Toyota so its to be expected.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:33 pm to goofball
quote:
This is the model it replaced. You can still pick one up until January if you prefer the styling:
God, no, that one's worse.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:34 pm to Saint Alfonzo
Where are there even hydrogen charging stations outside of New York and California? Are there any in New Orleans?
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:38 pm to fallguy_1978
For 50k I can buy a fully loaded 1500 gas pickup
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:50 pm to goofball
Pressurized hydrogen.... what could go wrong?
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:56 pm to goofball
Hot take: all of the new Toyotas are fugly.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 1:57 pm to goofball
quote:
The 2021 Mirai starts at $50,455
hahahahaha frick that
Posted on 12/16/20 at 2:03 pm to Hangover Haven
quote:
Looks like a KIA Stinger
My thoughts exactly.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 2:03 pm to goofball
Can they make me one with a gas engine.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 2:05 pm to bayoudude
quote:
Pressurized hydrogen.... what could go wrong?
For one thing:
Reuters article on 2019 S.K. hydrogen fuel tank blast
"...a hydrogen storage tank at a government research project in the rural city of Gangneung exploded. It destroyed a complex about half the size of a soccer field, killing two and injuring six. A preliminary investigation found the blast was caused by a spark after oxygen found its way into the tank...
One month later, there was an explosion at a hydrogen refueling station in Norway."
=========
The article goes on to list some of the more mundane logistical problems for drivers attempting to use use hydrogen refueling stations.
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