If you are located in Southern California, you can currently purchase a brand new Toyota Mirai for an astonishing $17,005. This price point officially positions it as the cheapest new car available in the United States, even undercutting the Nissan Versa Sedan, which is priced at $17,190. And there’s more – Toyota sweetens the deal by offering a substantial $15,000 worth of complimentary fuel.
The Unbelievable Car Bargain (With a Catch)
This offer is undeniably the bargain of the year, although it comes with a significant condition. The Toyota Mirai is an exceptional electric car, delivering a level of luxury, comfort, and quiet operation comparable to Lexus, along with superior ride quality and performance. The ‘conditional’ aspect stems from its hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. Hydrogen refueling infrastructure is limited, primarily concentrated in Southern California, which poses a challenge for owners outside this region. As Car and Driver accurately noted in 2021, the Mirai’s potential is “trapped in California—and may always be” due to this infrastructure constraint.
Interestingly, Toyota seems to have anticipated the fuel concern. Their offer includes $15,000 of free hydrogen fuel over six years. When this fuel credit is factored in against the purchase price of $17,005, the effective cost of the car drops to a mere $2,005. This makes the Toyota Mirai an incredibly affordable, almost unbelievably cheap Toyota car option for those who can take advantage of the offer.
Massive 70% Discount on the Mirai
According to CarsDirect, Toyota is offering discounts of up to 70% on the base XLE grade of the hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan. This model typically has an MSRP of $51,285, including destination charges. This deep discount slashes the price down to just $17,005, making it not just one of the Cheapest Toyota Cars, but the absolute cheapest new car in the U.S. – specifically, in Southern California where this deal is primarily available. The reason for this regional limitation is, as mentioned, infrastructure. Data from energy.gov indicates that as of mid-2024, there are only 54 hydrogen refueling stations in the entire U.S., and remarkably, 53 of them are located within California.
Toyota highlights that the Mirai XLE boasts an impressive range of 402 miles and achieves 72 miles per kilogram of hydrogen. This generous fuel credit equates to over 30,000 miles of free driving. Even considering the peak hydrogen price of $34.55/kg experienced in California last October, this fuel offer is exceptionally valuable. The hydrogen fuel cell powers a 182-horsepower electric motor, providing responsive and smooth performance ideal for city driving. While the 0-60mph acceleration time of 9.0 seconds is adequate for daily commutes, the Mirai, weighing around 4300 lbs, isn’t designed for high-speed thrills.
The Mirai’s sales figures haven’t met Toyota’s initial expectations. Hydrogen supply disruptions in recent years have negatively impacted fuel cell vehicle sales, contrasting with the growing hydrogen infrastructure for commercial and industrial applications. This infrastructure gap, combined with hydrogen supply challenges, has contributed to the Mirai’s slower sales. Toyota reported selling only 499 Mirai units in the U.S. in 2024, a significant decrease from 2,737 units in 2023.
Currently, besides the Mirai, there are only two other hydrogen fuel cell passenger cars on the market: the Honda CR-V e:FCEV, priced at $51,350, and the Hyundai Nexo, at $60,135. The substantial price reduction on the Mirai is likely to put pressure on Honda and Hyundai to consider similar incentives to maintain competitiveness in the fuel cell vehicle segment. For consumers in Southern California seeking the cheapest Toyota car and willing to embrace hydrogen technology, the Mirai presents an unprecedented opportunity.
