Toyota Mirai vs Lexus LS
What's the difference?

Toyota Mirai

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2021 price

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Lexus LS

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2023 price

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Summary

2021 Toyota Mirai

2023 Lexus LS

By Tung Nguyen

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L

Twin Turbo V6, 3.4L

Fuel Type

Hydrogen/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

10.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Head-turning looks
Very long driving range
Peppy electric performance

Business class interior
Japanese feel and quality
Thumping turbo V6

Dislikes

Nearly zero refuelling options
You can’t buy one
Compromised rear seat space

Feels a bit old-fashioned to drive
The hybrid would be nicer to be driven in
Dated multimedia software

2021 Toyota Mirai Summary

Toyota Australia is on the record as saying it doesn't want to push one form of electrification over another, and to that end wants the market to choose whether it wants hybrids, plug-ins, full battery or hydrogen vehicles.

While hybrid options have well and truly arrived in models like the RAV4, Corolla and Camry, and we’re all still waiting for the full-electric and plug-in vehicles, Toyota has now brought in its second-generation Mirai hydrogen FCEV.

But with Toyota, and Hyundai with its Nexo, the only brands pushing hydrogen into the mainstream, is it good enough to hold its own against battery electric models like the Tesla Model 3 and Nissan Leaf?

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2023 Lexus LS Summary

Surprisingly, for people who would rather be driven than drive themselves, there are quite a few options available in the large luxury sedan market.

While on the whole sedans have fallen from favour, this niche corner of the market continues to let the three-box design thrive.

The options here have changed a bit in the last few years, though, so how does the Lexus flagship, the LS fit into the picture? I drove one around for a week to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Toyota Mirai 2023 Lexus LS

Verdict

Believe it or not, the Mirai represents a pretty big gamble for Toyota, a company who has been known in the past for being relative conservative with its vehicles.

In recent years though, with models like the GR Yaris and even the RAV4 Hybrid, it seems like Toyota is more willing to go out and take a chance on something that would not be considered a safe bet.

The Mirai represents this willingness to experiment, but it is still too early to say whether it will a winner or a failure.

It drives well, looks good and its powertrain is a potential gamechanger for electric cars in Australia, but whether hydrogen takes off locally with customers is beyond Toyota’s control and up to those willing to invest in refuelling infrastructure.

Verdict

The LS500 is the least logical version of the most logical option in the ultimate luxury sedan segment in which logic doesn’t often apply at all.

Take from that what you will, but if it was me being driven around I would definitely be opting for the hybrid version of the LS instead for its smooth electrified driving characteristics and lower operating costs.

Toyota Mirai vs Lexus LS What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota Mirai vs Lexus LS
What's the difference?