Toyota Mirai Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision
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The Toyota Mirai is a notable vehicle primarily due to its hydrogen fuel-cell technology, a contrast to the more common battery-powered electric cars. This technology enables the Mirai to generate electricity onboard by combining hydrogen with oxygen, resulting in water vapor as the only emission.
As you might have guessed, this feature distinguishes the Mirai in the market, as it offers quick refueling times akin to gasoline vehicles and a driving range that often surpasses most EVs. The Mirai is significant not just as a car but as a symbol of Toyota’s forward-thinking engineering.
If you’re interested in this vehicle, you’ll probably want to know its benefits and drawbacks. So today, we highlight the Toyota Mirai pros and cons to help you decide if this fuel-cell EV is right for you.
What We Love: Toyota Mirai Pros
There’s a lot of great things going for the Mirai, including:
Longer Driving Range Than Most EVs
The Toyota Mirai demonstrates a fuel-cell electric powertrain’s single most important advantage – more extended driving range. The Toyota Mirai’s driving range is superior to many battery-powered EVs. Imagine traveling around 400 miles on a single hydrogen tank. This feature is particularly advantageous if you’re concerned about range limits or often take long trips. With the Mirai, you get the best of both worlds: an extensive driving range and the eco-friendly perk of zero tailpipe emissions. If sustainable motoring is your priority, the Mirai is undoubtedly worth checking out.
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Fast Refueling
If charging your electric car for hours doesn’t appeal to you, the Mirai might be your best bet for faster refueling. The Toyota Mirai has a notable advantage over electric vehicles regarding refueling efficiency. It can be refueled in just about five minutes, which is exceptionally fast compared to the minimum of 45 minutes required for fast charging a typical electric vehicle at a DC charging station. For Level 1 or Level 2 chargers, it takes several hours for a full charge, making the Mirai’s refueling time remarkably quick in contrast.
Elegant Exterior Styling
Only a few people would dispute that the Mirai pulls off its elegant and futuristic styling rather well. The Mirai’s front is bold and modern, featuring a noticeable grille and sharply designed LED headlights that convey a sense of innovation and strength. The car’s body is designed to be as efficient as possible, with aerodynamic contours contributing to fuel efficiency and giving it a sporty and dynamic appearance.
Additionally, the car is fitted with LED taillights and sleek side mirrors that add to its modern look. With thoughtful details such as flush door handles and aerodynamically optimized alloy wheels, the Mirai exudes an air of luxury.
Impeccable Ride Comfort
The Toyota Mirai is an excellent choice if you’re in the market for a luxurious and comfortable car. Picture yourself driving in a vehicle that offers the same smooth ride as a high-end Lexus, thanks to its design inspired by the full-size Lexus LS. The Mirai is smaller but still provides a magical driving experience by absorbing bumps and offering a smooth ride. Plus, the car has a noise-free cabin that blocks outside noise, especially when the Active Sound Control is turned off, giving it a sophisticated feel.
Good Amount of Tech
Besides the hydrogen fuel cell technology the Mirai offers, it also boasts a decent amount of interior tech. For example, the 2024 Mirai has a sizable 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, enhanced with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration. A 14-speaker JBL system handles in-car audio entertainment.
Safety is prioritized in the Mirai with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite, which is equipped with features like pre-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The vehicle also offers a Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging pad for added convenience.
THE TOYOTA MIRAI YEARS TO AVOID
The Mirai has been in production since 2016, so used car buyers have plenty of choices. We will talk about the worst Toyota Mirai years to avoid and their reliability issues.
What We Don’t Love: Toyota Mirai Cons
On the flip side of this Toyota Mirai pros and cons roundup, here are some potential drawbacks of the car:
Limited Refueling Infrastructure
Perhaps the greatest disadvantage of owning a hydrogen fuel cell EV is the limited availability of refueling stations. If you’re looking to buy a Toyota Mirai, it’s crucial to consider the challenges associated with the limited availability of hydrogen refueling stations. Most of these stations are only accessible in certain areas, such as California, which may be a significant obstacle for many potential owners residing outside of these regions. This lack of widespread infrastructure implies that owning a Mirai may not be practical if you’re not within easy reach of these fueling points.
Cramped Interior
The Toyota Mirai’s size can be misleading when it comes to its interior space. Despite being longer and wider than a midsize Lexus sedan, the Mirai doesn’t offer the same level of passenger space, especially in the back seat. Although the space has improved compared to its previous model, the improvements are insignificant. However, the Mirai’s door openings are well-sized, making it easy for passengers to enter and exit the car.
Disappointing Cargo Capacity
The Toyota Mirai needs more cargo and personal item storage, which could be a significant downside for those who need ample space. The trunk offers a limited capacity of just 9.6 cubic feet, which is relatively small for a car of its size. Additionally, the Mirai needs more flexibility in cargo arrangements due to the absence of pass-through or foldable rear seats.
Too Expensive
The Mirai comes with a high price tag, especially compared to its competitors. In fact, it is priced considerably higher than many of the electric and hybrid vehicles in its class. As a result, the Mirai may not offer the best value for money. This becomes particularly noticeable when considering alternatives that provide similar eco-friendly benefits at a more competitive price, such as the Tesla Model 3 or Hyundai Nexo.
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Toyota Mirai Pros and Cons: Is This Fuel Cell EV for You?
That concludes our roundup of the Toyota Mirai pros and cons. There are many great things about the Toyota Mirai, such as the impressive drive range and faster refueling than EVs. However, with the limited infrastructure for hydrogen refueling, the Mirai remains a hard sell for most consumers.
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