Specifications of Toyota Mirai II 1.2 kWh (182 HP) FCEV
General characteristics of Toyota Mirai II 1.2 kWh (182 HP) FCEV
The second-gen Mirai has grown significantly in dimensions and is now roughly the size of an executive sedan like the BMW 5 Series. It's 195.8 inches long, 74.2 inches wide, and is 57.9 inches in height. The wheelbase is a full 114.9 inches, which is good for interior space. To make the most of the new RWD platform, Toyota also increased the front and rear track to 63.3 and 63.1 inches, respectively. A long wheelbase with a wide track is already a step in the right direction.
On the downside, new Mirai models are a little portlier at 4,255 and 3,335 pounds, respectively.
The gearbox is a primary one-speed direct drive to the rear wheels. The engine is more complex, as it's basically a mini hydrogen laboratory. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the world, and it's pumped into the Mirai's fuel tank in liquid form. The fuel cell splits the electrons from the hydrogen atoms, and the former is used to power the electric motor. The latter is combined with oxygen and creates water. It's not just the cleanest means of propulsion but also the most energy-efficient.
The average ICE car has an efficiency rating of around 20%, while this system is roughly 60% efficient. This means an ICE car uses only 20% of the energy available in the fuel, with the rest being lost in the internal combustion process. While this is all very interesting, the important thing is how the Mirai drives and how far it will go on a tank. The good news is that it's as smooth as any other electric car we've driven and a tank of hydrogen will generally go as far or further than your average four-cylinder engined car.
There's a lot to unpack in this segment, starting with the basic gas mileage figures. Toyota claims 76/71/74 MPGe city/highway/combined for the XLE and 67/64/65 MPGe for the Limited trim. That's better than the most frugal Hyundai Nexo (65/58/61 MPGe) and the Honda Clarity (68/67/68 MPGe), as far as entry-level trim is concerned.
As standard, the Mirai has a 31.3-gallon tank, which Toyota says is suitable for a range of 402 miles in XLE trim and 357 miles in Limited trim. In reality, that will fluctuate with hot and cold weather and the type of roads traveled. We averaged around 350 miles per tank across two fill-ups.
Unlike other electric vehicles that need to be charged, which need at least 20 minutes to fill enough of the battery to drive, the Mirai's tank is filled the old-school way in just five minutes - once you've figured out how it works, anyway. It's not that it's difficult, but you have to make sure the plug fits snugly when starting and be prepared to give it a sharp tug to release afterward, otherwise you start looking a bit silly as more Mirais pull up behind and wait to use the pump.
It's not a difficult process, but there is a big downside. The hydrogen fueling network in California is poor. It looks mighty impressive on a map, with locations scattered all around the big cities. But once you remove the locations that are empty, under construction, or awaiting approval, the tally drops dramatically. Talking to actual owners at the pumps in Orange County, we learned it's not uncommon for pumps to run out of hydrogen to sell or simply not be working. This is the single biggest chink in the Mirai's armor, but Toyota makes ownership easier with the new model.
Toyota's first thing to make ownership more alluring is a $15,000 fuel credit. For some, that's worth driving a few miles out of your way to brim the tank. And if you want to leave the state, Toyota provides 21 days of complimentary vehicle rental.
When Toyota introduced the hybrid Prius, it arrived as an economy car. That meant it had an economy-sized car interior, albeit with heavy styling, so people felt they were inside something different. That's not the case with Toyota's hydrogen car. Like the outside, the inside of the Mirai is contemporary, stylish, and has a premium finish to it. It'll seat five adults, but only four with genuine comfort. There's plenty of rear headroom for taller passengers, as well as 33.1 inches of legroom. Up at the front, there's a truly spacious 42.2 inches of legroom to stretch out in, and the seats are Lexus comfortable and adjustable. It's easy to find the ideal driving position, and despite the Mirai's curves, visibility all around is excellent.
Toyota sacrificed practicality in favor of attractive design, which is evident when looking at the old gen model in comparison to the latest iteration. The 9.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity is way below par, either way. The trunk is shallow, most likely because of the drivetrain components beneath it. A weekend away for four people is not an option in this car, so you'll have to use one of your 21 rental car days. Doing the weekly grocery run should be possible, but only if you're a skilled packer. However, it's worth remembering that the rear seats don't fold and split.
The Mirai also has the essential interior storage spaces you'd expect, including door pockets, four cupholders, and a storage compartment underneath the center armrest.
