First Look: 2021 Toyota Mirai

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What is it?

The original Toyota Mirai was the sort of car a mother could be very proud of, but it lacked the verve to stir an onlooker’s soul. The second-generation 2021 Mirai has a sleek look that makes it stand out from the crowd, and this time around it is for all the right reasons! The striking design features broad shoulders, a fastback roofline, long hood and 20-inch wheels. It is a looker!

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The cabin also benefits from the rework with the wheelbase now measuring 2,920-mm, up 141-mm, which means there’s now realistic backseat legroom and space for a third rider. For the driver, the Toyota Premium Multimedia system now has a larger 12.3-inch screen and a 14 speaker JBL sound system.

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Why does it matter?

By combining hydrogen from the on-board tanks and oxygen from the atmosphere, the Mirai’s fuel cell creates electricity and water — there are no other “combustion” byproducts, so it is as clean as clean gets. No word on the power output other than it will deliver “enhanced” performance. This means more power that the outgoing car’s 151 horsepower and 0-100-km/h time of 9.7 seconds.

More importantly, the increased fuel storage brings a 30 per cent bump in driving range. This means it should have a gasoline-rivaling range of 655 kilometres. Ditto the five-minute refueling time. There are hydrogen stations in Vancouver and Quebec City. Hopefully, Toronto will be added to the list!

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When will Canada get it?

The second-generation Toyota Mirai goes on sale here late 2020.

Should you buy it?

The next-gen Toyota Mirai has everything the original lacked — it has road presence with a significantly sharper look and a much nicer cabin to go along with a realistic driving range and short refueling time. As a package it makes a very strong ambassador for the coming Hydrogen Era.