The 2021 Toyota Mirai is not the Mirai of old as it adds size, performance, refinement, and an interior a luxury car owner would love to own and drive. Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Dec. 16, 2020 2021 Toyota Mirai The 2021 Toyota Mirai is now a truly premium FCEV with an all-new large car footprint, the latest safety and propulsion technology, a much more engaging driving experience, and a significantly longer range rating. The 2021 Mirai is built on the rear-wheel drive GA-L platform that also underpins the Lexus LS. The body is lower, longer, and wider than its predecessor and dare I say, far less ungainly. The all-new design replaces the first gen Mirai that can only be described as an ugly beast in no uncertain terms. The RWD layout and independent suspension front AND REAR will now deliver a luxury sedan ride with vastly improved handling and a far more comfortable ride. The RWD layout not only allowed an almost 50/50 weight distribution, Toyota was able to increase onboard H2 storage volume to boost EPA-estimated range to 402 miles (Mirai XLE grade), a 30 percent increase over the first-generation Mirai! The new Mirai’s design is also more practical with a five-seat cabin versus the four-seat layout in the first-gen. The all-new Mirai also features Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, the latest generation of Toyota’s driver-assist technology suite including Full Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, auto emergency braking, and Lane Keep Assist. In addition, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert standard. The 2021 Mirai will be offered in five exterior colors: 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. The 2021 Mirai introduces a new lighting signature for a Toyota sedan, with long, narrow headlamps that sweep rearward into the fenders. Both grades are equipped with auto-leveling bi-beam LED headlights, multi-LED front and rear turn signal indicators, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and clearance lights. The LED side marker lamps are etched with the Mirai logo. Out back, a thin LED taillamp light pipe spans the car’s width, tapered in the center, and creates a unique nighttime signature with three distinct gradation lines. Color-keyed heated power-folding outside mirrors feature turn signal indicators, defrosters, blind spot warning, and puddle lights. While Toyota highlighted the all-new Mirai ‘s Aero of 0.29 with passive front wheel air curtains, a full flat undercover, and aero stabilizing fins at the front edge of the side windows and windshield wipers that retract to a lower position when not in use, I found the drag number to be rather disappointing given just about everything else available today. The XLE rides on standard 19” 5-twin-spoke aerodynamic alloys while the Limited receives black machined-finished alloys or optional energy robbing 20-inch Super Chrome alloys. The Mirai’s interior layout looks luxurious with Toyota’s SofTex leather like textured surfaces and a dash that appears as a single form across its entire length as it flows into the door panels. The console armrest is a significant 3.7 in. wider and 2.3 in. longer than in the first Gen as well. A punched-metal panel resembling a speaker grille runs atop the dash and rear package shelf. Two rows of switches, one below the center display and another within the dash trim below that, are zoned by function. Three-dimensional movement of the wheel switches produce a luxury feel as well. 2021 Toyota Mirai Interior Very Avalon like… The all-new Mirai incorporates an infrared reflective layer on the roof-facing surface to help reduce heat buildup inside the cabin resulting in reduced electrical load on the AC system. A layer of Thinsulate above the headliner helps to block heat as well as provide additional sound damping. The side windows are UV-Protected and water-repellent like that found on the Prius Prime and Lexus ES. The Mirai XLE trim 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 a dramatic 2-tone color scheme: White and brown or black. LED ambient lighting includes eight driver-selectable colors and blue footwell illumination. A standard digital rear-view 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. For rear seat passengers in the Limited, digital touch switches on the rear of the center console operate the audio and climate controls and the panorama roof’s power sunshade. The Limited features manual sunshades for the side windows and a power shade for the rear window. A simple YES!!! tells you all you need to know about my thoughts on these added luxury features!!! Dual Digital Displays The Mirai XLE and Limited both employ an 8” LCD digital gauge cluster and a 12.3” central mounted display. Within the 8” cluster, a 4.2-in. multi-information display includes an ECO drive indicator that helps the driver to maximize efficiency, H2 fuel level, and remaining range. The 12.3” display provides easy access for the driver or front passenger, and the multimedia, climate control, and navigation content can be toggled from left and right. Both model grades come standard with Toyota’s poorly coded Dynamic Navigation three-year free trial and Premium Audio playing through 14 JBL speakers, including subwoofer. The system features the latest in-demand connectivity tech, including Bluetooth wireless technology, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility and SiriusXM with 3-month All Access trial. The 12.3” display 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). 2021 Toyota Mirai Chassis To make the 2nd gen Mirai the flagship that it is, the Lexus GS platform and RWD configuration plus new FC system and EV powertrain placement provides a near 50:50 weight distribution. The high-strength platform is exceptionally smooth and quiet. Laser screw welding and adhesive structure bonding are among the construction techniques used to give the Mirai a truly premium feel on the road. A completely new multilink suspension replaces strut-type front suspension and truly outdated beam axle used in the first-gen Mirai. Suspension geometry and stiffness provide highly responsive, direct-feeling steering. The result is a much higher level of handling precision, giving the second-gen Mirai a distinctly sporting feel to match its future-looking powertrain. Active Cornering Assist engages the stability control to reduce understeer in certain cornering situations. Hill Start Assist Control, standard for both trims, allows safe launches from a stop while heading uphill. Electric power steering delivers quick response, with a tight 38.6-ft. turning circle for easy maneuverability. Both the XLE and Limited trims are equipped with 19 x 8-inch alloys and 235/55R19 all-season tires. The Limited in addition offers optional 20 x 8.5-inch turbine-style Super Chrome alloy wheels with 245/45ZR20 tires. <-- Just don’t on those energy sucking 20” monsters. 2021 Toyota Mirai Drivetrain MPGe estimates(city/highway/combined): XLE//Limited 76/71/74 // 67/64/65 and Range (miles): XLE/Limited 402/357 An FCEV driver simply fills the tank with H2 in about five minutes, just as millions of drivers do every day with gas vehicles. The fuel is non-toxic, compressed H2 gas and owners will receive up to $15,000 of complimentary H2 fuel during the first 3-years of ownership. An FCEV generates its own electricity onboard from H2 with water as the only emission. The fuel cell itself is composed of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. H2 is passed through the anode, and O2 through the cathode. The H2 molecules are split into electrons and protons. As protons pass through the electrolyte membrane, electrons go through a circuit, generating an electric current. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to produce water molecules. There are no other byproducts. The excess electricity generated by the Mirai’s fuel cell and by regenerative braking stored in a Li-Ion battery jointly power the rear-mounted AC synchronous electric motor, which drives the rear wheels through a fixed gear ratio. The second-gen Mirai features a 650v fuel cell stack is about 20 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than the previous stack located under the hood. The new, smaller stack, allows the switch to RWD. A compact, lightweight power control unit is now integrated with the FC stack case, further reducing overall system size. Relocating the air intake manifold and optimizing the gas channel separator electrodes and seals has resulted in a 12-percent increase in power output over the first-gen stack (128kw, up from 114kw). That translates to 182 hp and 221 lb-ft. of torque vs. 151 hp and 247 lb-ft for the first-gen Mirai. In the 2021 Mirai, the Li-Ion battery is smaller and lighter (98.3 lb. vs. 103.4 lb.) and has higher capacity than the NiMH battery used in the first-gen model (310.8v and 4.0 Ah, compared to 244.8v and 6.5 Ah in the earlier car). The more compact battery package fits between the rear seat and trunk, and the trunk can carry 2-3 golf bags. Cooling air for the battery is pulled from the cabin. Refueling is as simple as couple, lock, start, uncouple, and drive away just 5-minutes later. Compressed H2 is stored in three 10,000-psi carbon-fiber-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. An electric air compressor pressurizes the intake air, and a water-cooled intercooler reduces the temperature of the compressed air before it enters the FC stack. A water-cooled oil cooler integrated with the air compressor helps to provide reliability. The intake system is designed to mitigate noise, which will be virtually unnoticeable to occupants. The inlet design and sound-absorbing material in the air cleaner prevent air column resonance. By necessity, the intake air for the fuel cell must be purified; the electret air cleaner element captures ultra-fine particles (PM 2.5), and a charcoal filter removes chemical substances. The resulting air released from the system is cleaner than the intake air. Behind the wheel of the 2021 Toyota Mirai Driving the Toyota Mirai is like driving a Toyota Hybrid. Get in, buckle up, push the Start button, and the Mirai is ready to pull away. Initially offered only in California, it is perfectly capable of cold weather operation as the FC system can start at an outside temperature as low as -22°F. Normal initial acceleration uses battery energy. After initial acceleration, it smoothly transitions to FC+EV operation, and then fully to FC power to the EV drivetrain when cruising. The FC also sends electricity to be stored in the battery, and the battery is also charged by the motor-generator during deceleration. Direct current from the battery is converted into three-phase alternating current for the FC air compressor and the electric drive motor. Like the Toyota hybrids, the Mirai offers Drive Mode Select including ECO, NORMAL and SPORT modes. 2021 Toyota Mirai Safety Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ helps the 2021 Mirai driver avoid collisions or mitigate their impact in a worst-case scenario. TSS 2.5+ is the next phase in Toyota’s evolution of active safety systems. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD) helps detect not only the vehicle ahead but also a preceding bicyclist in daytime and even a preceding pedestrian in low-light conditions. TSS 2.5+ also enhances the PCS w/PD system with intersection support. 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. Each Mirai comes equipped with Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), which can activate the feature above 30 mph, have a system designed to perform vehicle-to-vehicle distance controls down to 0 mph and resume from a stop. DRCC also includes a new feature that allows for smoother overtaking of slower vehicles. If traveling behind a vehicle traveling slower than the preset speed, once the driver engages the turn signal and initiates steering input the system will provide an initial increase in acceleration in preparation for changing lanes; after changing lanes, the vehicle will continue acceleration until it reaches the preset driving speed. Lane Departure Alert is designed to help notify the driver via steering wheel vibrations or audible alert if it senses the vehicle is leaving the lane without engaging a turn signal. When DRCC is set and engaged, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) is designed to assist the driver by providing a slight steering force to help center the vehicle in its lane using visible lane markers or a preceding vehicle. 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. In addition to the TSS 2.5+ system, to help Mirai drivers change lanes with confidence, Blind Spot Monitor is designed to help detect and warn you of vehicles approaching or positioned in the adjacent lanes. Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) can offer added peace of mind by helping to detect vehicles approaching from either side while backing out and alerting you with a visual and audible warning. 2021 Mirai XLE and Limited Trims The Mirai XLE includes standard SofTex seating surfaces; heated 8-way power driver and 4-way power passenger seats; dual-zone auto climate control with remote; Smart Key with trunk-release, panic button and remote illuminated entry; auto-leveling LED headlamps; LED front interior reading lights; Toyota Premium Multimedia system with navigation and 14 JBL speakers; Qi wireless charger; power tilt/telescoping steering wheel; auto-dimming rearview mirror, and electronic parking brake. Connected Services include Safety Connect with 1-year trial; Service Connect with 10-year trial; Remote Connect with 1-year trial; Wi-Fi Connect with up to 2 GB within 3-month trial, and Destination Assist with 1-year trial. As an option, the XLE offers the Advanced Technology Package that includes Bird’s Eye View Camera, Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automated Braking, and Front Seat Foot Illumination. The Mirai Limited adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seating, three-zone automatic climate control (two-zone in front, one-zone in rear with separate digital control panel), ambient lighting, and a panoramic roof. 2021 Mirai Pricing The 2021 Mirai XLE starts at $49,500, $9,050 less than the starting MSRP of the outgoing 2020 Mirai. An Advanced Technology Package, which includes Bird’s Eye View camera, front and rear Parking Assist with Automated Braking and front seat foot illumination, can be added for $1,410. The Limited grade has a starting MSRP of $66,000, with optional 20” Super Chrome Alloys available for an additional $1,120. <-- Again, please do not… Both the XLE and Limited have a Special Color price of $425 for Oxygen White, Heavy Metal, Supersonic Red and Hydro Blue (Limited only). The Mirai XLE will have a starting lease price of $499 a month, while the Limited grade lease pricing starts at $549 a month. Special launch incentives will be available when this next-generation Mirai first goes on sale, including special finance rates, retail cash back and launch cash back. Each Mirai comes with up to $15,000 of complimentary hydrogen. Extended ToyotaCare, good for three years or 35,000 miles, will come standard with each Mirai. Other owner benefits include roadside assistance for three years (unlimited miles), an eight-year/100,000-mile FCEV warranty on key fuel cell electric vehicle components, a complimentary rental experience for up to 21 days during the first three years of ownership, and much more. AFDC linked jpg: The one and only H2 FCEV Refueling Station in San Diego County - 18 miles from my own home in Carlsbad, CA. I would love drive the all-new 2nd gen Mirai but only "if" the H2 refueling infrastructure has advanced significantly beyond what was available just 3 short years ago. For more on my FCEV hesitancy, consider the 10s of H2 FCEV stories I embedded in the Honda and Toyota FCV World Debuts with Headwinds headline link.
Pounds and kilograms. This is the second report I've seen saying the tank capacity is 11 pounds, but the first also said the gen1 Mirai held 5 pounds of hydrogen. Toyota themselves said the gen2 has increased hydrogen capacity, but that is very slight if the 11 pounds is correct. That is around 5kg. So the increase is maybe 0.2kg more than the gen1. More importantly, 5kg would mean a fuel efficiency of 80mpge from the released 402 mile range, but that doesn't seem to be noteworthy in Toyota's statements.
That may actually be good at current FCEV efficiency levels. I'm seeing numbers more in the 60s MPGe at the government web site. https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_sbs.shtml Based on loose references from wikipedia, it seems fuel cell stacks are double the efficiency of internal combustion engines at best, and only if there's some form of heat capture of the reaction process. Without getting into the efficiency losses from the charging process of batteries, I think straight energy out from batteries would get a higher MPGe for the same vehicle so not a fair comparison perhaps for FCEV MPGe against a similar BEV's MPGe.
HI Trollbait: The 2021 Toyota Mirai spec sheet actually states 5.6 kg of capacity by weight (12.35 lbs). The problem with all FCVs is they can produce fantastic efficiency MPGe "numbers" but our drive of the first gen 2016 Mirai found it to be severely lacking. I also barely touched 1.5 times its EPA at the limits... I am not going to hold my breath that the second gen 2021 MIrai received a step change in efficiency but you never know. Another issue is the 2021 Mirai's cargo (trunk) volume is just 9 cu. ft. A large car needs a 16 cu ft. trunk or larger or it is not going to work. Wayne
Hi All: I have one of the prototypes scheduled to arrive on the 12th of January for a week. Questions include usable rear trunk volume, real range, cost from the Del Mar, CA H2 refueling station, and will the Speed vs FE graph reveal the same misgivings that the First gen experienced? 2021 Toyota Mirai Wayne
Hi All: I guess we will be finding out the cost of a kg of H2 in short order as this station, just under 16-miles from my home, is the only choice for public H2 refueling in all of San Diego county today. Wayne
Heard it is lower than the historical $16/kg, but still over $10/kg. Fossil hydrogen(steam reformed NG) is cheap, in the $2 to $3 per kg range. Renewable electrolysis hydrogen is much high, maybe near $10/kg. California mandate is for 33% renewable across the state. Shipping hydrogen is costly because of its low density, even when liquidfied. It's the same issue facing styrofoam recycling. Light weight materials mean less fuel burned, but semi truck efficiency can only improve so much from hauling light weight stuff, and then they are limited by space in the trailer. So light weight goods end up with a higher shipping cost per kg. On top of that, is the big cost of the electricity used in all the compressing and chilling the hydrogen for shipping, and to enable those 5 minute refills. I think the station in Wayne's photo above is one that makes electrolysis hydrogen on site. Saves on shipping costs, but carries the high price of renewable hydrogen. Which is being made less efficiently because of the small scale.
The inefficiencies in H transport and storage, not to mention potential electrolysis, are pretty huge. Environmentally it’s better to drive a Prius or Ioniq. I still support cars like this on a scientific basis - let’s keep developing our technologies and learn what works best - but I tend to agree with Elon Musk about hydrogen “power” at scale.
Hi All: The first short drive of the 76/71/74 city/highway/combined MPGe rated 2021 Toyota Mirai in XLE trim with an EPA estimated 402 miles is complete... 2021 Toyota Mirai FCEV Limited Coupled and ready to receive its first refuel of H2. First quick impressions as it was dropped off with approximately 3/4 of a tank - 3/4 full or 3/4 of full capacity or ..., and 203 miles of indicated range. The exterior is a cab rearward design with a hood that appears to be a mile long with a table flat design. It reminds me of an older Chrysler 300. The Whale like grille face is straight out of the Avalon playbook yet is more refined. Towards the rear, a standard yet modern 4-door coupe as it slopes to the rear deck. While driving around downtown San Diego yesterday evening, an older Blazer pulled alongside and honked giving me a thumbs up while yelling out the window that this vehicle is Da Bomb! At the light, he asked what is it and where did I get it... The interior is a mix of simple smooth shapes - very un-Toyota like as of late - and luxurious soft touch materials all-around. 2021 Toyota Mirai FCEV Limited First Drive 106 MPGe over 47.1 miles indicated while the fuel gauge dropped from 3/4 to 2/3 and estimated range dropped from 203 to 186 miles. The efficiency of the 2nd gen Mirai first drive reminds me very much of the first gen Mirai we drove a few years ago. About 1.4X its 74 MPGe rating and it was not easy to achieve. It is a much smoother, stable, and quieter offering reaching that of some of the electrics we have recently driven. The drivetrain transition from the pack to regen back to the pack or from the Fuel Cell to regen to the pack is as seamless as a BEV. In other words, better than the Hybrids Toyota has built its efficiency reputation on. Again, very smooth electric like transitions between all modes. That was the good to ok stuff... Wayne
Hi All: There is a reason that every new 2021 Toyota Mirai arrives with a $15,000 fuel stipend for the original purchaser and this is it. Pulling up to the ONLY H2 refueling station in all of San Diego County, the price on the pump caused me to do double take. We knew it was in the $15 to $16/kg range but SOB and Damn, this is going to be a very expensive review and this was just the first top off after 47 miles! H2 costs an incredibly onerous $16.43/kg!!! in San Diego. A kg of H2 can propel the all-new Mirai ~ 64 miles. Let us discuss this for a second with a comparison to my 2020 Toyota Prius Prime. 2020 Toyota Prius Prime Refueling earlier today for $2.799/gallon. A gallon of fuel for $2.799 allows my 2020 Prius Prime to travel about 75-miles or $0.0373/mi. A kg of H2 at $16.43 allows the 2021 Mirai Limited about 90-miles or $0.1825/mi. Unfortunately, or not, to refuel and drive a second gen Mirai, it costs over 5 times as much as it does to drive a Prius Prime on gasoline the same distance here in San Diego! Even more so in other areas of California. To put it in another form, while driving the 2020 Explorer Hybrid across the country at 34 mpg earlier this year, the Mirai costs 2.25 time as much as that. On a $/mile basis, it is similar to receiving 15 mpg and we have not received 15 mpg in anything. EVER! 2021 Toyota Mirai Limited First Drive $30.02 for 1.827 kg of H2 to full. H2 FCEVs promise is fast refueling and they are indeed fast. From 2/3 of a tank to full took at most 1.5 to 2-minutes. Connecting was simple as you pull the plastic cap off the Mirai's fill port, slide the refueling handle on, pull the refueling handle, it locks, and verify it is locked on. Pull up on the pumps handle holder, and hit the backlit H2 button on the pump to being the refuel. It may cycle twice over that 1.827 kg as it did for this and less than 2-minutes, it is full. And the handle is freezing cold! The tricky part is disconnecting. The pump shuts down when full but to release the handle from the Mirai's port, you have to fiddle with this tiny little slider switch under the handle. It took me about 2-mintues to get it to release. I should be able to do this even faster on the calibration fill so stay tuned. And there you go. 2021 Toyota Mirai Full, Trip A/B reset, and ready to do battle. I will be calibrating the odometer with a Garmin and refuel after a few more miles. Question is, does a refuel to pump stop and full reading mean the exact same pressure and temperature every time you refuel? I have no way to measure the total mass of fuel without exact volume at a given pressure and temperature. Wayne
"Question is, does a refuel to pump stop and full reading mean the exact same pressure and temperature every time you refuel?" No, it doesn't. The procedure is designed to keep the hydrogen from getting too hot during that fast fill. To get the exact same pressure and temperature at the end of a fill, you'll need to start with the exact same temperatures and pressures in the car's and station's tanks.
Hi Trollbait: Thank you and as suspected, this is not like a top off to top off so a calibration is not going to be accurate. The fast fill certainly met my expectations as the 1.827 kg filled into the specs 5.6 kg total capacity in less than 2-minutes. The handle was freezing cold and there was frost on the Mirai's fill port when I pulled the refueling handle. Wayne
Hi Trollbait: It was 78 degrees for the fill and the vehicle was parked in he sun in the high 70s all day. It could only accept .175 kg for $2.88 after 35.0 miles. Not a chance that is a calibration fill from the top off at night in 53 degree temps. The handle was not nearly as cold for the day time fill either. Lesson learned? If you want more range, fill at night in cooler temps. Calibration? Not a chance. Wayne
It's cold because, assuming the fill tank was preconditioned, the hydrogen needs to be chilled to -40 degrees in order to fill a hydrogen can as fast as a liquid fuel. Hydrogen is not like other gases. It doesn't chill the area as it expands. It actual heats it up. "The handle was not nearly as cold for the day time fill either." It likely started warmer, but if the station was used before you arrived, the dispensing tank may not be fully chilled. When the conditions aren't ideal(hot out, fill tank not fully precondition, etc.) the SEA hydrogen fill procedure can let filling 5kg take up to 15 minutes; longer is possible.
Hi All: After this weeks drive, I still consider 3 items that will hold up the H2 economy miracle. 2021 Toyota Mirai XLE The conclusions I posted two posts above including the following are more poignant than ever. Reliable H2 stations. There is only one in all of San Diego County and it has been known to run out of fuel leaving customers stranded. OC and LA have proven to have more staying power. Northern Ca has been on and off again for months. Fuel cost - $16.43/kg is the equivalent of driving a 15 to 20 mpg vehicle here in Southern CA with its already sky high fuel costs. The $3/kg via steam-methane reforming on a small scale at the pump is a pipe dream as $1.25 to $2.50/kg with CO2 release from a large centralized plant before distribution is the current state of the art. The $15k of free fuel over the next 6-years takes any refueling cost issue out of the equation. Vehicle cost of $49,500 w/ $15k Toyota rebates, another $12k in Fed and CA State incentives = $22,500. Add the the $15k (75k miles) of free fuel equivalent to $6,800 in an Avalon Hybrid, and the 2021 Mirai XLE cost just $15,700 for essentially a 44 mpg combined rated 21 Avalon Hybrid ($37,100) w/ a slightly smaller passenger and cargo volume (16.1 vs 9.6 cu. ft.), shorter range (402 vs 580-miles), and limited refueling points. That free fuel for 75k miles is a great freebee on this one. The small geographic radius of 200-miles to the east and only within California, absolute range, and refueling station(s) also has to be considered. Toyota provides a $75/day rental stipend for up to 3-weeks every year to travel outside or inside if you wish. Another nice addon making the Mirai even more attractive! As a technology demonstrator or compliance car, the all-new 2021 Mirai checks all the boxes with its intriguing exterior, luxurious interior appointments, and high tech, but those attributes do not provide Toyota with a profitable platform or the general public with a desirable daily driver for most. For those that can make it work, wow, what a bargain! I will try and complete some uncalibrated steady states early Monday morning between 12:30 AM and 02:30 AM. Wayne
Hi All: The Speed vs FE results are complete. 2021 Toyota Mirai XLE 04:00 AM this morning just minutes before heading out… Temps were a very stable 55 degrees F with calm winds. From above, our second refuel in warmer temps did not prove to be a reliable result to come up with an eFCD offset so we will have to rely on the eFCD itself. In terms of miles traveled vs indicated, 199.8 miles actual vs 193.9 miles indicated per Trip B yields a higher than normal 0.97 offset or negative 3.0 percent. The large negative offset could lead to a positive eFCD offset but without numerous measured fill tanks at up to $95/tank from empty to full, we may never find out. 2021 Toyota Mirai XLE Odometer Offset The EPA highway crossover of the 76/71 mpg rated 2021 Toyota Mirai is 71 mpg and from the non-calibrated graph, it arose dead on at 60 mph. This is still below the 65 to 67.5 mph leeway we provide OEMs for their EPA highway results and I would estimate that the 2021 Mirai XLE should be rated at somewhere around 76/62 MPGe instead. The 2016 Mirai crossover came in at 58.2 so there was an improvement. Just not that much of an improvement. 2021 Toyota Mirai XLE Speed vs FE You will also notice from all the driver displays that the estimated range to empty to the right of the fuel gauge continues to severely underestimate the range available as the fuel level was falling from H2 being consumed. From full, the highest we saw was 283-miles from the 402-mile range Mirai XLE after its first refuel. We have traveled 200-miles with more than half a tank left showing something with that display calculation is amiss. Wayne
Hi All: The 2021 Toyota Mirai's rear seat room? While it is extremely comfortable for a driver despite the std. Toyota short seat bottoms, rear seat room comes at a premium. The large center mounted H2 Tank creates a large hump for the center seat passenger as well. Wayne
Hi All: The conclusions I posted two posts above including the following are more poignant than ever. Reliable H2 stations. There is only one in all of San Diego County and it has been known to run out of fuel leaving customers stranded. OC and LA have proven to have more staying power. Northern Ca has been on and off again for months. Fuel cost - $16.43/kg is the equivalent of driving a 15 to 20 mpg vehicle here in Southern CA with its already sky high fuel costs. The $3/kg via steam-methane reforming on a small scale at the pump is a pipe dream as $1.25 to $2.50/kg with CO2 release from a large centralized plant before distribution is the current state of the art. The $15k of free fuel over the next 6-years takes any refueling cost issue out of the equation. Vehicle cost of $49,500 w/ $15k Toyota rebates, another $12k in Fed and CA State incentives = $22,500. Add the the $15k (75k miles) of free fuel equivalent to $6,800 in an Avalon Hybrid, and the 2021 Mirai XLE cost just $15,700 for essentially a 44 mpg combined rated 21 Avalon Hybrid ($37,100) w/ a slightly smaller passenger and cargo volume (16.1 vs 9.6 cu. ft.), shorter range (402 vs 580-miles), and limited refueling points. That free fuel for 75k miles is a great freebee on this one. The small geographic radius of 200-miles to the east and only within California, absolute range, and refueling station(s) also has to be considered. Toyota provides a $75/day rental stipend for up to 3-weeks every year to travel outside or inside if you wish. Another nice addon making the Mirai even more attractive! 2021 Toyota Mirai A standout vehicle with its very un-Toyota like long hood and cab rearward design. As a technology demonstrator or compliance car, the all-new 2021 Mirai checks all the boxes with its intriguing exterior, luxurious interior appointments, and high tech, but those attributes do not provide Toyota with a profitable platform or the general public with a desirable daily driver for most. For those that can make it work, wow, what a bargain! Wayne
Hi All: Let us see if this works... Ok, it worked. The 2021 Toyota Mirai can reach 60 in 8.13 seconds. Wayne