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    The $17,000 Toyota Mirai: America’s Cheapest Luxury Car with a Catch

    autoexpresscarBy No Comments3 Mins Read

    The $17,000 Toyota Mirai: A Bargain with a Hydrogen Hangover

    The cheapest new car in the United States is a luxury sedan from Toyota, available for under $17,000. This might sound like a steal, but there’s a major caveat: it’s the Toyota Mirai, a fuel cell vehicle that runs on hydrogen.

    Mirai 17k Ts
    Mirai 17k Ts

    Massive discounts on the 2024 model have slashed the price, making it cheaper than the compact Nissan Versa. In Southern California, discounts can reach up to $35,000 off the original price, and Toyota is sweetening the deal with $15,000 worth of free hydrogen fuel.

    But why the fire sale? Demand for hydrogen cars never really took off, particularly since hydrogen refueling stations are scarce.

    The Toyota Mirai: aerodynamic, innovative, and slightly irrelevant.
    The Toyota Mirai: aerodynamic, innovative, and slightly irrelevant.

    These discounts are offered through Toyota’s Finance Subvention Cash program, which necessitates special financing at 0% APR.

    “$35,000 off” isn’t something you hear every day.
    “$35,000 off” isn’t something you hear every day.

    The Mirai boasts a luxurious interior, but its value proposition is tied directly to the availability of hydrogen fuel.

    It’s pretty swish inside, too.
    It’s pretty swish inside, too.

    You can currently get a new Mirai cheaper than a used one.

    What’s cool is that you can now get a brand new Mirai cheaper than a used one.
    What’s cool is that you can now get a brand new Mirai cheaper than a used one.

    While the price is tempting, there are significant limitations to consider before you rush to buy.

    The real problem is the lack of hydrogen infrastructure.

    The Department of Energy lists only 54 hydrogen filling stations in the US. Most of these are in California, and some are out of order.

    Green areas are my quick and dirty estimation of where you can drive the Mirai while still being able to make it back to a filling station. Not 100% accurate but it gives you an idea. There are also six filling stations in Canada and one in Hawaii, but you wouldn’t be able to reach them.
    Green areas are my quick and dirty estimation of where you can drive the Mirai while still being able to make it back to a filling station. Not 100% accurate but it gives you an idea. There are also six filling stations in Canada and one in Hawaii, but you wouldn’t be able to reach them.

    The range of the Mirai is around 402 miles, making long trips outside of California impractical.

    There are only a handful of hydrogen filling stations in California, and a significant proportion are currently out of order.
    There are only a handful of hydrogen filling stations in California, and a significant proportion are currently out of order.

    The $15,000 of free fuel is attractive, but it only equates to roughly 31,000 miles at current hydrogen prices and you only have three years to use it.

    The Mirai is probably the fanciest new car you can get for under $20,000. Because it’s really a $50,000 car that Toyota just can’t sell.
    The Mirai is probably the fanciest new car you can get for under $20,000. Because it’s really a $50,000 car that Toyota just can’t sell.

    This presents a conundrum: on the one hand, the Mirai is incredibly cheap and includes free fuel. On the other hand, its resale value will likely be terrible, given its reliance on a limited fueling network.

    Imagine plugging in this bad boy to fill up on the way to work.
    Imagine plugging in this bad boy to fill up on the way to work.

    If you’re a fuel cell enthusiast, the Mirai could be a statement. If you’re wealthy and enjoy oddball cars, it might be a fun conversation starter. But if you’re looking for everyday transportation, the Nissan Versa, at a higher price point, offers significantly greater usability and practicality.

    Is it worth the gamble? That depends on your location and needs.

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