Toyota Mirai

Toyota Mirai at a glance

Its main fuel cell rivals have been the Hyundai Nexo SUV and, until 2021, the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. Other Toyota models are on our Toyota brand page, and battery-electric cars are covered in our electric cars section.

Generations

First generation (JPD10, 2014-2020)

The first Mirai went on sale in Japan in December 2014 and later in California and in a handful of European countries. Its fuel cell stack produced up to 114 kW, and the electric motor 113 kW (154 PS) and 335 Nm. Two tanks held 5 kg of hydrogen at 70 MPa, and a 1.6 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery stored recovered braking energy. The EPA rated the range at 502 km for the 2016 model year; Toyota had first predicted about 480 km. Top Gear lists 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and a top speed of 111 mph (179 km/h).

In Germany the first Mirai cost EUR 60,000 plus VAT, or EUR 78,540 in total, in 2015. In Japan the price was 6.7 million yen before taxes, with a government incentive of 2 million yen. In February 2017 Toyota recalled about 2,800 cars because of a fuel cell boost converter fault, which was fixed with a software update.

Second generation (JPD20, 2020-)

Toyota unveiled the second Mirai in October 2019 and put it on sale in December 2020; the German catalogue of ADAC lists April 2021 as the European start. The car moved to a rear-wheel-drive TNGA platform and grew by about 85 mm in length and 140 mm in wheelbase. Toyota aimed for 30% more range, and the tank capacity rose to 5.6 kg. In August 2021 a Mirai covered 1,360 km on one 5.65 kg fill in a record drive. Toyota added its Teammate Level 2 driver assistance in April 2021 and a new infotainment system in March 2023.

Fuel cell, motor and performance

The fuel cell combines hydrogen from the tanks with oxygen from the air to make electricity, which drives the motor; the battery covers peaks in demand and stores energy recovered under braking. Refuelling at a 700-bar station takes 3 to 5 minutes, which is the Mirai's main advantage over a battery-electric car. To convert these figures between kW, PS and hp, use our power converter.

Dimensions, space and boot

The hydrogen tanks take up a lot of space, so the boot of the larger second-generation car is smaller than the first's and well below that of a typical executive saloon. ADAC measures 300 litres and Toyota UK quotes 321 litres (VDA).

Fuel consumption and running costs

Toyota UK gives a combined hydrogen consumption of 0.79 kg/100 km on 19-inch wheels and 0.89 kg/100 km on 20-inch wheels; ADAC lists 0.8 kg/100 km (WLTP combined), rising to 1.1 kg/100 km on the motorway. Running costs depend almost entirely on the local hydrogen price and on how far the nearest station is: in most of Europe the network is thin, and the Mirai makes most sense where several 700-bar stations are within reach. Our cost of ownership calculator can model fuel and depreciation for any car.

Trims and equipment

Equipment depends on market. The second generation is offered with 19-inch or 20-inch wheels; Toyota UK's technical data also mention a Design Premium Pack, which raises the height to 1,480 mm. Toyota added its Teammate Level 2 driver assistance system in 2021 and a new infotainment system in 2023.

Safety: Euro NCAP

Euro NCAP tested the second-generation Mirai in September 2021 and awarded five stars:

ANCAP aligned its rating with this result. The first-generation Mirai was not tested by Euro NCAP. See our safety ratings for other saloons.

Reliability and known issues

Apart from the 2017 software recall on the first generation, the main documented problems are legal. In June 2023 owners filed a lawsuit in California alleging fuel cell system defects that could cause a sudden loss of power; Toyota denies the allegations, and the case was still at the pre-trial stage in June 2024. In July 2024 a class action in California targeted the poor availability of hydrogen refuelling. ADAC also lists a recall announced in November 2025 for cars built from March 2021 to September 2025; check with a Toyota dealer that it has been carried out.

Sales

By November 2022, 21,475 Mirai had been sold worldwide: 11,368 in the United States, 7,435 in Japan and 2,622 in the rest of the world. The best year was 2021, the first full year of the second generation.

Rivals

The first Hyundai Nexo stores 6.3 kg of hydrogen and has an EPA range of up to 611 km; the second generation, revealed on 3 April 2025, has 190 kW (258 PS) and a quoted range of 700 km. Honda ended production of the Clarity Fuel Cell in August 2021. A battery-electric executive saloon is the more practical alternative for most buyers; the comparison tool helps you weigh them.

Photo gallery