The second generation Mirai, Toyota's design and technology flagship

Beauty, technology and a hint of the future come together in Toyota's new flagship sedan, the 2021 Mirai. The first generation Mirai was the first production fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) offered for sale to retail customers in North America.

Now, for 2021, Toyota has fully rebooted the Mirai as a premium rear-wheel drive sports-luxury FCEV with striking design, cutting-edge technology, more engaging driving performance and a significantly longer EPA-estimated range rating.

Mirai means future in Japanese, and the 2021 Mirai is powered by the latest evolution of Toyota's advanced FCEV powertrain. The new Mirai is one part of an electrification strategy that also includes Toyota's current and future hybrids and upcoming battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Built on the rear-wheel drive (RWD) GA-L platform that also underpins the larger Lexus LS sedan, the Mirai makes a major design departure from the front-wheel drive first generation version. The body is lower, longer, and wider, with 19-inch wheels as standard and 20-inch wheels as an option.

A more powerful fuel cell system provides a more engaging driving experience than its pioneering forerunner. The RWD layout and four-wheel independent suspension deliver a true sports-luxury sedan driving feel, with greater handling agility than before, yet also with a more comfortable ride.

The RWD layout also allowed for increased hydrogen storage to boost EPA-estimated range to 647km, a 30% increase over the first generation Mirai. Improved use of space enables a five-seat cabin versus the four-seat layout in the first generation Mirai. Also, the interior matches the elegant tone of the exterior.

The 2021 Mirai features more advanced user and safety tech, including Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. This latest generation of Toyota's driver-assist technology suite includes Full Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Lane Keep Assist. In addition, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert is standard on the Mirai.

The Mirai conveys a sense of motion with a classic grand touring car stance of a long bonnet, sweeping roofline and short rear deck, rendered in a practical four-door sedan package. The cabin silhouette flows rearward with flush, smooth side surfaces, accented by a dynamic sculpted rocker area with a kickup near the rear wheel.

The larger body also delivers more passenger room. The wheelbase, height, length and width have been increased, with weight also increasing by 80kg. However, weight distribution improves to near 50:50, compared to 58:42 previously, significantly enhancing handling agility.

The 2021 Mirai introduces a new lighting signature for a Toyota sedan, with long, narrow head lights that sweep rearward into the fenders. At the rear, a thin LED taillight panel spans the car's width, tapered in the center, and creates a unique signature with three distinct gradation lines.

The 2021 Mirai has a low 0.29 coefficient of drag, which is a result not only to the body's shape, but also to details such as optimised airflow through the wheel wells, a flat full undercover, aero stabilising fins at the front edge of the side windows and windshield wipers that retract to a lower position when not in use.

The Mirai's clean, modern layout is infused with a hint of luxury. The feeling of luxury comes through in the choice of materials. Major portions of the dash, as well as the console armrest, are wrapped in leather. A seamless punched-metal panel resembling a speaker grille runs atop the dash, concealing the audio speakers and creating a sophisticated textural design element. This motif is repeated on the rear package shelf, as well.

The Mirai has an 8-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display. Within the 8-inch gauge cluster, a 4.2-in. multi-information display includes an ECO drive indicator that helps the driver to maximise fuel efficiency by providing acceleration guidance and assigning a score on economical driving. Hydrogen fuel level and remaining range are always shown.

The 12.3-inch display contains the multimedia, climate control, and navigation functions. The 2021 Mirai comes with a JBL 14 speaker system, including a subwoofer. The system has Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility and SiriusXM satellite radio.