It's debatable which cars the 2015 Toyota Mirai competes with.
The only zero-emission vehicles over $50,000 are the Tesla Model S range, which are better-looking, offer far higher performance, can hold five people, and benefit from an expanding Supercharger network of DC fast-charging stations.
The all-new 2016 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid expected toward the end of this year is closer to the Mirai in size, packaging, and performance, but will have limited electric-only range.
The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt, which will go on sale around the same time as the Mirai, will have the most electric range of any plug-in hybrid, and is likely to be far cheaper than the Mirai--but both it and the Prius have gasoline engines.
Then there's the Nissan Leaf, the world's best-selling battery-electric car--but its range is only a third to a quarter that of the Mirai.
At the other end of the cost scale, there's the plug-in hybrid version of the Porsche Panamera S luxury sport sedan--but we doubt that potential Porsche owners will consider the Mirai for long, if at all.
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| Quick Specs | ||||
The 2016 Toyota Mirai sedan, powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, is Toyota's counter to electric cars, yet it's odd-looking, not particularly fast, and limited to four seats—not to mention capable of fueling in very few places. |
The new 2016 Chevy Volt improves on its predecessor in every way that counts, and its 53-mile range is unsurpassed among plug-in hybrids—meaning its biggest weak spot is GM’s ability to explain and market it. |
The 2016 Nissan Leaf remains a somewhat appliance-like drive, but its new range rating of 107 miles raises it to the top of its class—and it's still smooth, quiet, and calming to drive. |
The 2016 Toyota Prius has moved much closer to driving like a regular car, while maintaining the highest fuel economy of any car without a plug; that should attract new buyers—if they can overlook the styling. |
There's still no direct competition for the 2016 Tesla Model S, which offers elegant design, 240 miles or more of all-electric range, and jaw-dropping acceleration in the higher-end models. It's one of a kind. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $57,500 | $33,170 | $29,010 | $24,200 | $68,000 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 43 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy | 54 MPG City / 53 MPG Hwy | |||
| Engine | ||||
| Electric | Gas/Electric I4 | Electric | Gas/Electric I-4 | Electric |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Large Cars |
| Style Name | ||||
| 4-Door Sedan | 5-Door HB LT | 4-Door HB S *Ltd Avail* | 5-Door HB Two (SE) | 2016.5 4-Door Sedan RWD 60 |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front wheel drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| Sedan | Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback 2016.5 |
| Transmission | ||||
| Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | CVT w/OD | Automatic |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2016 Toyota Mirai vs. 2016 Chevrolet Volt | 2016 Toyota Mirai vs. 2016 Nissan Leaf | 2016 Toyota Mirai vs. 2016 Toyota Prius | 2016 Toyota Mirai vs. 2016 Tesla Model S | |
![2015 Nissan Leaf, Denver, Colorado, Mar 2016 [photo: owner Andrew Ganz]](https://images.hgmsites.net/med/2015-nissan-leaf-s_100548740_m.jpg "Nissan upgrades base Leaf S to 30 kwh battery, boosts price")
