Toyota Mirai Design Premium 2021 UK first drive

Before we talk about hydrogen cars (or FCEVs) and related topics such as their fuel cell stacks, refuelling infrastructure and role in a wider hydrogen society, let’s take a moment to reflect on how good the new Toyota Mirai looks.

Maybe it’s just me, but with its long nose and coupé-like roofline, there’s a whiff of final-gen Celica about it.

The styling may seem a frivolous place to start when considering a car that essentially serves to showcase a whole powertrain technology, especially one so comprehensively overhauled. But it’s important, and not just because its shape is honed for aerodynamic efficiency: Toyota clearly wants the new Mirai to stand out for more than how it’s powered.

Certainly you would never confuse the new Mirai for the original: it’s not only sleeker but also substantially bigger, due to the new GA-L platform. But it’s the changes to the powertrain that make it less a second-generation car, more an entirely new one.

The fuel cell stack, now sited under the bonnet, is smaller and lighter with 330 cells, down from 370. Output has increased from 153bhp to 180bhp, and drive is now sent to the rear, rather than front, wheels.

Moving the stack up front has made room for a third high-pressure hydrogen tank to be added, with the combined storage of 5.6kg of liquefied hydrogen enough to offer a range of around 400 miles. The three tanks are located in a T-shape, with two in place of the central transmission tunnel (which does limit leg space in the central rear seat), the other beneath the rear bench and boot.

There’s also a 1.24kWh lithium ion battery (the old Mirai featured a nickel-metal-hydride one) that stores captured regenerative energy and helps to smooth out the power the stack sends to the electric motor.

Despite all the weight savings of Toyota’s latest-spec FCEV tech, the Mirai still weighs a hefty 1950kg, but it does a good job overcoming that. Don’t let optimistic mentions of Celica-like styling and a rear-drive layout fool you into thinking it’s a sports saloon, though: it’s more a comfortable cruiser. The ride and handling are so unremarkably pleasant (even on flashy 20in wheels) that you quickly forget about the remarkable tech powering the car.

Where the Mirai really scores is in the marvellous smoothness and quietness of its powertrain. That’s aided by a very pleasant interior, including a 12.3in infotainment touchscreen that features plenty of actual buttons, a quality JBL sound system and a decent head-up display.