The Toyota Mirai has finally arrived in the UK and after months of rumours, news, views and speculation the first reviewers are now getting behind the wheel.
So far, the hydrogen-powered fuel cell sedan has been given a warm reception from those who have driven it. Read on to see extracts of the reviews released so far, and click the links to see the full verdict from each publisher.
Auto Express awarded the Mirai a positive four stars out of five rating, praising the car’s driving quality, silence and comfort.
They say: “This is arguably our best look yet at the future of personal mobility, with the Mirai doing a great job of driving like a normal car. Suffice to say, the future of zero emission motoring is nearly here.”
Read the Auto Express Toyota Mirai review here.
Autocar also gave the Mirai four stars, with their review commenting on the striking styling, high interior quality and surprising agility on the move.
They say: “The Mirai is a breakthrough achievement – one that is sure to influence the way rival car makers set about mapping out their electric car future. It delivers all the environmentally friendly advantages of a battery-powered car without the need to plug into mains power for extended periods.”
Autocar also posted a blog about his experience in the car, adding: “Toyota should be applauded for not just talking about whether or not hydrogen cars can work and instead getting on and making one. We live in exciting times.”
Read the Autocar Toyota Mirai review here.
T3 said that the Mirai shows the viability of hydrogen-powered cars in the future, and also commented on the ‘plush’ and tech-filled interior.
They say: “The Toyota Mirai is an incredibly impressive car, as a proof on concept and a feat of engineering, its very hard to fault, it’s accessible, simple and appealing. It’s also an incredibly important car, showing everyone just how accessible and viable hydrogen is as an alternative fuel source.”
Read the T3 Toyota Mirai review here.
With an opening line that reads: “Peter Kay says garlic bread is the future. Toyota reckons it’s hydrogen”, the Sun Motors Mirai review certainly grabs your attention. (There’s a reference to onions too, so don’t read it on empty stomach).
They say: “Full marks to Toyota. Given the complex technology involved, the Mirai still drives like a ‘normal’ car. It’s smooth, silent, with instant acceleration, single-speed gearbox and you can’t stall it. No one can. Not even your gran.”
Read the Sun Motors Toyota Mirai review here.
The Daily Telegraph said the Mirai ‘drives like the future, with hard acceleration from a standstill due to all that electricity on tap, and a touchscreen with iPad-style swipey infographics.’
They say: “It’s impressively quiet, with wind and road noise largely eliminated, and the regenerative brakes work their magic with surprising subtlety.
Read the Daily Telegraph Toyota Mirai review here.
Top Gear highlighted that although the UK’s hydrogen infrastructure is in it’s infancy, the actually fuelling the Mirai is ‘quick, clean and stress-free’, adding: “Where fuel cell cars have pure EVs licked is in topping up, or ‘recharging’, the twin carbon-fibre tanks – it takes just three minutes to pump in 5kg of H2, whereas today’s batteries take hours to recharge.”
They say: “What the Mirai proves is that although expensive, fuel cell technology works and, as a driving experience at least, it’s ready to enter the mainstream. Hats off to Toyota for taking the plunge.”
Read the Top Gear Toyota Mirai review here.
Car buying guide What Car? awarded the Mirai three stars, and focused on the ‘extraordinarily straightforward’ driving experience, the car’s surprising agility and plentiful leg room.
They say: “The Mirai is sure to influence how car makers set about mapping out their electric car future. It delivers all the environmentally friendly advantages of a traditional battery-powered car without the need to plug into mains power for extended periods.”
Read the What Car? Toyota Mirai review here.
Manchester Evening News describes the Mirai as ‘incredibly quiet with a surprisingly strong, linear performance.’ They also mention the calm, relaxing experience of driving the car and it’s handling and ride quality.
They say: “The Mirai is definitely an expensive proposition and unless you live near a refuelling station it doesn’t yet make sense. But it performs better than you’d imagine and represents a brave step forward for Toyota and for hydrogen fuel cell motoring.
Read the Manchester Evening News Toyota Mirai review here.
Anyone fancy publishing how much energy is actually needed to get he hydrogen fuel? It’s ridiculous!!
Hi Daniel
Thanks for your post.
Hydrogen can be produced in a variety of ways not all of which need to be expensive, but more importantly it can be produced from sustainable methods such as wind power or solar. Talking longer term, hydrogen production will be a key issue in the development of the infrastructure for the future. For example in Japan, a project is being implemented which converts methane into hydrogen from fermenting sewage sludge. In the UK there is already a wind turbine which can produce hydrogen and store this to power cars.
All these different methods of production can only help with future development and we acknowledge this still has a long way to go but by introducing the Mirai it will help promote and develop such examples given above. Hope this helps and any other questions please let us know.