The Toyota Mirai is one of the few zero-emission vehicles on the market, and it's getting a tech boost for 2023. Here's what you need to know about this innovative and eco-friendly car. The Mirai, which means "future" in Japanese, is one of the few hydrogen-powered vehicles on the market, and it's getting a tech boost for 2023. The Japanese automaker announced that the fuel-cell sedan will now come with Toyota Audio Multimedia, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
But what exactly is a fuel-cell vehicle, and why should you consider one? Here are some of the benefits and challenges of owning a Mirai.
How does it work?
The 2023 Toyota Mirai generates power by combining hydrogen with oxygen from the outside air. The hydrogen is stored in high-pressure tanks under the rear seats and trunk, and the oxygen is drawn from the front grille. The hydrogen and oxygen react in a fuel cell stack under the hood, creating electricity that powers an electric motor that drives the rear wheels. The only emission from the tailpipe is water vapor, making it a zero-emission vehicle.
Unlike conventional electric vehicles that use batteries to store electricity, the Mirai does not need to be plugged in to recharge. Instead, it can be refueled with hydrogen at a dedicated station in about five minutes, just like a gas-powered car. The Mirai has a driving range of up to 402 miles on a full tank of hydrogen, which is comparable to or better than most gas-powered cars.
What's new for 2023?
The Mirai was redesigned for 2021, gaining a sleeker and more upscale look, a larger hydrogen tank, and a longer driving range. It also got a new rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Lexus LS and Lexus LC models, improving its handling and ride quality.
However, the Mirai's infotainment system was still stuck in the past, with an outdated 8.0-inch touchscreen that lacked wireless smartphone connectivity. That changes for 2023, as Toyota upgrades the Mirai to its latest multimedia system with a larger and more responsive screen, wireless charging, and Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities.
The new system also includes Amazon Alexa integration, allowing drivers to use voice commands to control various functions, such as playing music, checking the weather, or locking and unlocking the doors. Additionally, the Mirai will offer Toyota Safety Connect, a service that provides emergency assistance, roadside assistance, a stolen vehicle locator, and automatic collision notification.
The 2023 Toyota Mirai also comes with several advanced driver-assistance features as standard, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high-beams, and road sign recognition.
What are the trim levels and prices?
Toyota offers two trim levels for the Mirai: XLE and Limited. The 2023 Toyota Mirai XLE starts at $50,455 and comes with 19-inch wheels, synthetic leather seats, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and a six-speaker sound system.
The Limited adds 20-inch wheels, genuine leather seats, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker JBL sound system for $66,955.
Both trim levels are eligible for federal tax credits of up to $8,000 and state incentives, depending on where you live. Toyota also provides some perks for Mirai buyers, such as up to $15,000 of complimentary hydrogen fuel for three years or 67,000 miles (whichever comes first), 21 days of complimentary rental car service for three years (in case there are no hydrogen stations nearby), and an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on the fuel-cell components.