16th Generation Toyota Crown (SH32/SM30)

The true 16th-generation Toyota Crown has finally arrived and the 16th coming of the longest-running nameplate in Toyota history shows that they're not giving up the tradition even though the Crown lineage's radically adapted to the age of crossovers as hinted by the Crown Crossover and the Crown Sport models.

2024 Toyota Crown

With prices starting at 7.3 million Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the 16th-generation Crown is a radical new step to the longest-running nameplate in Toyota history. The conservative design, luxurious interior, and eco-friendly performance showcase the business end of this Reiwa Era Crown.

2024 Toyota Crown

Beginning with the design, the all-new Crown is a massive departure from its predecessors because it now adopts a fastback styling akin to the Audi A7. Fastback styling aside, the new front view is somewhat reminiscent of the Dodge Charger while the rear view reminded us of today's Ford Escape. Although the facial expressions are as slim as a coin, the all-new Crown really means business in the middle of the new normal.

2024 Toyota Crown interior

2024 Toyota Crown interior

Come to the interior, the all-new Crown looks and works just like its crossover cousins. Although adopting the minimalist stance, the driver's side is packed with noticeable techs such as T-Connect, smartphone connectivity, voice control, heated steering wheel, digital rearview mirror, and others. As a premium sedan, the passenger side of the all-new Crown truly is the business end because the legroom is slightly roomier compared to its predecessor, and when kitted with extras such as the rear seat center console, rear sunshade, and a headrest pillow, it's a proper alternative to the Audi A7. As for the boot space, it can carry up to 450 liters, and the rear tailgate, despite its fastback looks, opens like a normal sedan and it can be opened hands-free, which is an available feature.

2024 Toyota Crown

The 16th-generation Toyota Crown is offered with a choice of a fuel-cell powertrain lifted from the Mirai and the Toyota-first 2.5L Multi-Stage Hybrid powertrain. 

The fuel-cell variant is armed with the FCB130 fuel-cell powertrain connected to three high-pressure hydrogen tanks, an electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery, producing 182PS of total power output and 300Nm of torque, capable of 820km of driving range with just three minutes of hydrogen filling each time.

The hybrid variant features a Toyota-first 2.5L Multi-Stage hybrid system where the 185PS A25A-FXS Dynamic Force engine is bolted to a 180PS electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, resulting in a system power output of 245PS. Mated to a Multi-Stage Hybrid Transmission with 10-speed transmission control, the hybrid variant has a fuel economy of 18km/L based on WLTC Mode standards.

Running on the narrow version of the GA-L platform, the 16th-generation Crown is rear-wheel-drive only, and although pointless to poke its tail out, it's about as luxurious to drive as its German competitors thanks to its multilink suspension setup and ventilated disc brakes. Judging by the way it drives, this is what the Toyota Crown truly means, especially for seasoned veterans.

As for safety, the 16th-generation Crown features Toyota Safety Sense with the available Proactive Driving Assist, Toyota Teammate Advanced Driver, and Advanced Park for added levels of safety worth noticing.

This is what the Toyota Crown of the Reiwa Era should be, a luxury saloon that's about as luxurious as the German rivals and retains the Crown tradition while keeping up with the demands of the new normal, the 16th-generation Toyota Crown is a wish granted for Crown purists who believed the Crossover and the Sport variants are treason to the Crown heritage. This is the new normal.

Available Colors: Precious White Pearl, Precious Silver, Precious Black Pearl, Precious Metal, Precious Bronze, and Massive Gray.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Second-generation Toyota Mirai

The first Toyota Mirai, launched in 2014, is a stepping stone for Toyota's carbon neutrality goals because of its fuel cell powertrain this car showcased. As Japan is in the Reiwa era and in the midst of the new normal, a new Mirai is born and it's a bold departure from the first one the world got familiar with.

The all-new Mirai, priced at 71 million yen plus additional costs, is no longer the Mirai we are familiar with because it has now converted from a Prius-shaped hatchback into a premium luxury sedan for a more emotional form, unlike the previous model it replaces and it incorporates Toyota's new fuel cell powertrain to make it more lively and dramatic than ever.

So, why the conversion into a luxury car, you asked? Back at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, the world got enraptured over the Mirai's next form, and because of its luxury sedan design, TNGA platform, and rear-wheel-drive caught the attention of the motoring world, Toyota was so pleased about letting the design stay when they turn it into a production model and here we are, the rebirth of Toyota's first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle that is now Crown-shaped rather than Prius-shaped.

Thanks to the GA-L platform it now runs on, the new Mirai is now surprisingly longer than the previous model, resulting in a more spacious interior fit for the environmentally woke executives trying to use this car as a template for their carbon-neutral goals. On the driver's side, they are greeted with a nearly minimalist interior that still packs some buttons to make it more user-friendly because the new Mirai still cares about what the customers need rather than itself. Despite being rear-wheel-drive, the new Mirai's boot space is big enough for a trip to the country club.

The GA-L platform the new model runs on as well as its rear-wheel-drive layout, not to mention the multi-link coil spring suspension setup, made the new Mirai more emotional to drive than the previous model, meaning it's got the same driving feel akin to expensive German imports. It really reminds us of the Crown in so many ways and thanks to its highly advanced safety systems, it's worth noticeable for those who are living in an era where semi-autonomous driving is now the king of the new normal.

The new model is powered by the new FCB130 fuel cell stack which produces 174PS of power and it's bolted to a 134kw electric motor as well as a Li-ion battery. The driving range is about 750 to 850km, depending on the variant, and the top speed is still capped at 175kph.

Toyota has made a lot of improvements in the making of the new fuel cell stack to this new model without sacrificing its dynamic performance for the greater good. You can really feel how much hard work the engineers have done in the process.

So there you have it. The second-generation Toyota Mirai is the gold standard of the Reiwa era because of its new fuel-cell powertrain, FR layout, TNGA platform, spacious interior, dramatic exterior design, and the most advanced tech offered. Some say it might take the reigns of the Crown because of some rumors about its imminent demise but whatever the reason, the new Mirai is the byproduct of Toyota's carbon-neutral future in the same way the Prius has done in the past. It really is the Toyota of the new normal.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Hyundai Nexo

Let's be fair, as SUVs in Korea are becoming common on today's roads, their powertrain is becoming out of context as the value of diesels beginning to fade right now and the search for more alternative ways and means are becoming more complex. In response, Hyundai made a fuel-cell crossover that claims to be one of the most important breakthrough in the history of the rapidly-growing South Korean carmaker.

2019 Hyundai Nexo

This is the Hyundai Nexo and yes, we know, it's another crossover that we're becoming weary right now but because this is a fuel-cell crossover, it's becoming a step zero-to-one for Hyundai and for those who are starting to stave off from the common diesel-powered crossovers of today because of the times, this could be the answer.

2019 Hyundai Nexo

There's so much to talk about the heart of the Nexo but let's talk about this later because the design is what we're tackling it first because while this is somewhat average for crossover standards, it isn't as average as, let's say, a Toyota MIRAI, and henceforth, not bad to take a gander on its decent looks that can be easily heckled by speedo boys at parking lots. Yes, you can get heckled by speedo boys elsewhere, but on a progressive point of view, the Nexo knows it really demands progress for a fuel-cell crossover that supersedes the old Tucson Fuel Cell by a long shot.

2019 Hyundai Nexo interior

2019 Hyundai Nexo interior

Speaking of progress, the Nexo's interior really shows its demanding progress for the occupants. There's a fun fact that most of the interior materials such as the leather, plastic, and fabric, are sourced from, let's be fair, vegetables and UL Certified BIO Materials, meaning that while the interior is made out of stuff that grows from the farm, it really shows its sustainable self, which is good. While the sustainable interior materials is the Nexo's signature piece, the high-tech dashboard, the electronic shift button, and the Krell Premium sound system really shows that it has some luxury car vibes to a not-so-luxury crossover, which is a bonus. Decent space at the back as well.

2019 Hyundai Nexo

Now, we get to the very important part of the Nexo and that is the heart of it. First, the Nexo is powered by an electric motor that churns out 154PS of power and 395Nm of torque, which is more than the old Tucson FCEV it replaces, capable of reaching a top speed of up to 179kph, similar as a Japanese car can go. Second, the Nexo's got three fuel tanks, capable of carrying 6.33kg/156.6L of total capacity, resulting to a driving range of 609km. You heard that from the Koreans but on average, it is a tad less than the Toyota MIRAI.

You should know that unlike the MIRAI, the Nexo's got all-wheel drive, meaning that it's capable to handle any road regardless on what's the weather condition's going to be or perfect enough to visit some historic Korean landmarks without the range anxiety. That range is like from Muntinlupa to Cabanatuan and back with a few juices left to go to Festival Supermall. Now that is the future.

Apart from the fuel cell perks, the Nexo goes further with safety thanks to its wide array of driving assist features such as blind spot view monitor, lane following assist and highway driving assist. It even comes with a clever but flattering remote parking assistant that allows the Nexo to park by itself and retrieve the vehicle while setting off. Sounds kooky but hey, we live in the future, zura.

Should you buy it? The Hyundai Nexo starts at 73,378,500 Korean Won (around 3,630,000 Pesos), which sounds too niche to buy one, especially when there's the after tax benefit sale price bonus. Although the pricing and the styling is worth a heckle, the Nexo's promising efficiency and usability as a crossover is something that shouldn't be underestimated upon, which is fine for an unrivaled fuel-cell crossover, and with the world starting to stave off from diesels, the Nexo is a crossover that is here today, ready for tomorrow. Consider this your next ride if you are willing to let go your rusty diesel crossover.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Toyota MIRAI (JPD10)

The year 2014 brought us one of the most important cars in history since when it first made and here it is. Meet the MIRAI. The Toyota MIRAI to be more exact and it's probably just another four-door Toyota but don't be alarmed.

2015 Toyota MIRAI

Judging by the way it looks, the MIRAI kinda really looks like an ordinary car and it's like driving a Toyota for normality reasons. Although this is a normal car, the MIRAI, true to its name, proves that the future is now thanks to science, and thanks to science, the MIRAI is the brand's first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

In the past, carmakers like Honda and BMW first introduced fuel-cell vehicles but their FCVs were only available for lease. For the MIRAI, this is the first-ever FCV to be available for sale to the motoring public. They can purchase one now at their nearest Toyota or Toyopet showrooms all over Japan but the pricing starts at 7,236,000 Japanese Yen. However, first-time buyers won't need to worry because the Japanese government will subsidize 2,252,900 Yen so it's now priced at 4,983,100 Yen or under $50,000.

2015 Toyota MIRAI interior

2015 Toyota MIRAI interior

Get ready because it's going to be one heck of a science lesson right about how the MIRAI works as an FCV for the selected masses.

Because hydrogen is highly flammable, the MIRAI stores its hydrogen in two hydrogen tanks made of CFRP and a fiberglass-reinforced plastic layer for the outer shell. These two hydrogen tanks can store a combined 122.4L of fuel or 5kg of hydrogen. It's capable of doing 650km of driving range. That sounds plenty although actual driving mileage can vary.

The hydrogen fuel that powers the MIRAI is measured in kilograms and one kilogram of hydrogen costs 1,100 Yen and filling up takes three minutes or so. Although hydrogen has the same price as petrol, it will never run out because hydrogen is one of the most abundant chemical substances in the universe.

Mind you, if you're going to refuel it with hydrogen at your nearest hydrogen-filling station, it's just like filling your car with petrol and the only difference is because this is under pressure and you'll have to lock it with the lever. This is important stuff because if you don't, you'll be spilling hydrogen on the floor. Yes, we heard that lecture from someone but take serious precautions because you might think that hydrogen really is water but not all hydrogens are created equal.

Unlike petrol-powered cars that emit smoke for some reasons, the only emission from the Toyota MIRAI is water but some say, it's safer than drinking milk so...who wouldn't dare to drink water out of it but for the love of all things holy, don't. I wouldn't mind drinking water out from that car because...it's like tap water to us so I'm not very sure if it's safe to drink one out from the MIRAI's emission.

2015 Toyota MIRAI

Performance-wise, the MIRAI is not bad for a family car with four doors and four seats. I mean, this saloon develops 155PS of power, which is more than what you get from the lease-only Honda FCX Clarity, and its top speed is about 175kph so it's not half bad. Although I'm not going to pretend that it's a lot more fun to drive than any other petrol-powered saloon but it feels like a sports saloon as I corner one through the bends.

The MIRAI may be an awful car to look at but as one suggests, it's the clever car that will save your weekend cars, much like when the car is invented to save the horses. That's logical stuff because when horses got rode by humans, they're starting to feel the exhaustion and the pain but when the car came in, they're free to do whatever they want. The same thing happens with petrol-powered cars and with this fuel-cell car, looks like those amazing gas-guzzlers will have their lives prolonged for a while.

I believe that the new Toyota MIRAI is now one of the most important cars for a centennial and it really fits to the lifestyle we're facing now. Think about it, we have lots of memories going around with our own cars. We get in, drove it as far as we like, we fill it with petrol, and we kept going and going. That is the cycle of what a petrol-powered car does but when others are looking for a replacement, say electricity, it feels like we're reverting back to the stone age once again.

With this car, today's going to be a great day thanks to science.

Available colors: Two-Tone Pure Blue Metallic, Two-Tone White Pearl Crystal Shine, Two-Tone Precious Silver, Two-Tone Precious Black Pearl, Two-Tone Dark Red Mica Metallic, Two-Tone Dark Blue Mica.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation