Japan is striving to become a hydrogen-based society for the greater good of the country and the world. Thanks to the characteristics of the lightest element in the periodic table, the end game for the Asian nation is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As far as the automotive industry is concerned, Toyota invests the most money in fuel-cell technology.
Hot on the heels of the Hyundai Nexo, the all-new Mirai is the Japanese automaker’s most advanced fuel-cell vehicle to date. Doug DeMuro had the opportunity to check the hydrogen-fueled sedan in detail, and the verdict is rather obvious. “It’s certainly better than the old one,” said the YouTube vlogger, referring to the first-gen model produced from 2014 to 2020.
Redesigned into a rear-wheel-drive sedan, the Mirai doesn’t handle all that great for pretty obvious reasons, even though the steering response is surprisingly good. Not only is it heavy at 4,350 pounds (1,973 kilograms) in U.S. specification, but the second-gen model has been tuned to feel more comfortable in day-to-day scenarios like commuting on the freeway.
As far as the interior is concerned, which isn’t as spacious as you would have expected in comparison to the old Mirai, the one and only Doug DeMuro can’t understand why Toyota opted for two volume buttons instead of a single volume knob. On the upside, the rear-seat passengers are treated to a touch-sensitive panel that allows them to control the heated and cooled outer rear seats, air conditioning, audio system, and the power sunshade.
For a fuel-cell vehicle that retails at $70,000 or thereabouts, Toyota has somehow failed to understand what customers expect from a car at this price point in terms of practicality. More to the point, the trunk lid opens manually.
Despite all of these shortcomings, the Mirai is "a compelling car. Probably the best hydrogen vehicle yet, and miles ahead of the old Mirai.”
Redesigned into a rear-wheel-drive sedan, the Mirai doesn’t handle all that great for pretty obvious reasons, even though the steering response is surprisingly good. Not only is it heavy at 4,350 pounds (1,973 kilograms) in U.S. specification, but the second-gen model has been tuned to feel more comfortable in day-to-day scenarios like commuting on the freeway.
As far as the interior is concerned, which isn’t as spacious as you would have expected in comparison to the old Mirai, the one and only Doug DeMuro can’t understand why Toyota opted for two volume buttons instead of a single volume knob. On the upside, the rear-seat passengers are treated to a touch-sensitive panel that allows them to control the heated and cooled outer rear seats, air conditioning, audio system, and the power sunshade.
For a fuel-cell vehicle that retails at $70,000 or thereabouts, Toyota has somehow failed to understand what customers expect from a car at this price point in terms of practicality. More to the point, the trunk lid opens manually.
Despite all of these shortcomings, the Mirai is "a compelling car. Probably the best hydrogen vehicle yet, and miles ahead of the old Mirai.”