Is there a car like the Toyota Mirai that runs on gas?
Is there a car that looks like the Mirai but runs on gas and not hydrogen?
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2017 Toyota Mirai Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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It’s unclear whether hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) are the way of the future as far as personal transport is concerned, but both Honda and Toyota have invested serious resources into this technology—in part thanks to Japanese government subsidies and in conjunction with hydrogen-fueling infrastructure in California. Honda paved the way back in 2009 with the now-discontinued FCX Clarity, but Toyota has been toying with the technology for years as well and introduced its own FCV, the Mirai, in 2016. Unveiled at the 2014 L.A. Auto Show, the Mirai is also available for sale in the U.K., Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and Norway.
The Mirai’s distinctive styling advertises its unconventionality, and though some might call it ugly, it doesn’t look totally outlandish. Its base price is almost $60,000, though Toyota claims most people will lease the Mirai. Production is fairly small scale given the limited target audience and refueling infrastructure, and Toyota plans to make only a few hundred Mirais per year.
The most interesting thing about the Mirai and other FCVs is, of course, their power source. FCVs react hydrogen fuel with oxygen to power their electric motors that then power the wheels, emitting water as a byproduct. In the Mirai, the fuel cell under the front seats makes the equivalent of 153 hp, which is sent to the electric motors that drive the front wheels. A 1.6-kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery pack provides additional short boosts of energy.
While the Mirai can reach 60 mph in about 9 seconds, it doesn’t have much more to give. The car weighs over two tons, and 153 hp just isn’t a lot of grunt for that much weight. The Mirai has a range of 312 miles on a full tank, but because hydrogen refueling stations are currently limited to certain parts of California, the Mirai will be a commuter vehicle for most buyers. Road trips just aren’t an option. As for handling, the Mirai is no go-kart—it has a rather numb steering feel even by commuter-sedan standards.
While the interior of the Mirai is deliberately futuristic with its 3 dashboard display screens, it’s clear that you are paying mainly for the powertrain underneath. It has the comfort, convenience features, and materials of a significantly cheaper car. The Mirai can carry only 4 passengers, and the hydrogen tanks located between the rear wheels and below the rear seat reduce available trunk space significantly. It does, however, feature a DC-to-AC inverter that can power your house, and since the car emits only water, it can run in a closed garage.
With its low production numbers and high price tag, the Mirai won’t be crash-tested anytime soon. But normal consumer concerns like safety aren’t as relevant for a car like this, since it’s primarily for early adopters who want to experience new and futuristic technology. The novelty factor is really the only appeal of the 2017 Mirai, as there are plenty of cars that are objectively better and cost much less. And unlike electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, FCVs are almost completely dependent on hydrogen-refueling infrastructure, which is currently fairly isolated and not expanding very quickly. For Toyota, this car is both a PR exercise and an experiment into alternative sources of energy for personal transport. We look forward to seeing whether manufacturers decide to pursue fuel-cell technology further.
User reviews for 2017 Toyota Mirai
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by Jermaine L
Aug 28, 2023
I absolutely love this car. With the price it is a good car.Aug 28, 2023
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2017 Toyota Mirai Pricing
Original MSRP
$57,500 to $57,500Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: JBL · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leatherette
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: sunglasses holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Engine
EV battery capacity: 1.6 kWh · Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 151 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 113 · Electric Motor Torque: 247 · Electric motor miles per charge: 312
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Yelp · Infotainment: Entune · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: alert system · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Toyota Connected Services · Smart device app function: vehicle location
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: aluminum with painted accents
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse