2021 Toyota Mirai arrives in US dealerships in December
17 November 2020
The second-generation Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV), which made its debut in 2019 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, will arrive in US dealerships—in California and Hawaii—in December.
With a significant change in styling, this Mirai will offer multiple grades for the first time—XLE and Limited—and is based on Toyota’s premium rear-wheel drive platform. The new platform allows for a highly rigid body that is lower, longer, and wider, with its bolder stance accentuated by available 20-inch alloy wheels.
The change in design also signals a new driving experience from Mirai. A targeted 30% increase in range is achieved by an improvement in fuel cell system performance and increased hydrogen storage capacity. Additionally, the new Mirai will offer a more powerful, engaging and even quieter driving experience than its pioneering forerunner.
Every grade comes standard with a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with 14 JBL speakers including a subwoofer and amplifier, as well as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Behind the steering wheel, an 8-inch color TFT LCD digital gauge cluster displays the speedometer, drive mode, fuel efficiency, MID and more. A Qi-compatible smartphone wireless charging tray also comes standard on every 2021 Mirai.
The XLE grade includes dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, manual rear seat sunshades and power-folding mirrors with puddle lights.
The Limited grade comes standard with a color Head-Up Display (HUD) with speedometer and navigation, three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, and a rear touchscreen control panel with climate control function, rear sunshade toggle, audio controls. A Bird’s Eye View Camera also comes standard on Limited grades, while available on XLE. The Limited grade also gets standard Intelligent Park Assist and a dual-fixed panoramic moonroof with power sliding shade.
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. For 2021, the Mirai is one of three Toyota models to include TSS 2.5+, the next phase in Toyota’s evolution of safety systems. A number of functions that are part of the Toyota Safety Sense have been enhanced.
The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD) features multiple enhancements. By enhancing the system capabilities, it is now possible for the system to help 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.
Mirai comes equipped with Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), which can be activated above 30 mph and is 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 with 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 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, and Road Sign Assist (RSA), which is designed to recognize certain road sign information when available, by using a forward-facing camera and display them on the MID.
re: … 14 JBL speakers …
Umm, how about lifecycle $TCO/mile, or even, say, range?
Posted by: Bob Niland | 17 November 2020 at 07:32 AM
Kind of light on the crucial details, like the available interior and exterior colors. Also, can you get cloth or perforated leather? Also, something about range, power, and curb weight might interest some people.
Posted by: Albert E Short | 17 November 2020 at 08:48 AM
Toyota are to do a reveal of the details of the fuel stack etc.
They want to make an event of it, which is reasonable enough as they are not usually exactly publicity hogs.
That will be specific about range, specifications and so on.
Posted by: Davemart | 17 November 2020 at 10:19 AM
Used Mirai on sale for under $9k, will probably sell for $8k. $8,900 asking price for 2016. $9500 asking price for 2017 on CarGurus.com
Selling price usually 7-15% less than asking.
MSRP was $58,325 for 2016, including destination fee.
MSRP was $58,365 for 2017, including destination fee.
2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range (315 mi) asking $31k to $36k for 2018.
MSRP was about $50k.
Posted by: electric-car-insider.com | 17 November 2020 at 02:02 PM
Yes, I also thought that this article was rather light on important details like price, power, range, etc. And if what eci reports is true, they do not seem to hold their value. I would guess that their owners get tired of dealing with the hydrogen refueling and maybe the cost of refueling.
I have always thought that after taking a lead with their hybrid cars, Toyota made a bad bet going with fuel cells instead of batteries. Toyota was also late to accept lithium ion batteries for their hybrids.
There may be a place for fuel cells but I am guessing that electrified private cars are going to be mostly battery electric and that batteries will continue to get better faster than fuel cells.
Posted by: sd | 18 November 2020 at 10:53 AM
The wealthy in Southern California do not care about resale.
Posted by: SJC_1 | 21 November 2020 at 06:21 AM