Compare the2022 Toyota MiraiVS 2021 Tesla Model 3

The Mirai has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats (WIL), which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WIL system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Mirai has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Mirai offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model 3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mirai’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Mirai’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Mirai has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Mirai and the Model 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Mirai’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Model 3’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Mirai for 3 years and 35000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model 3.

There are over 9 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mirai’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 31st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 78 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Tesla is ranked 25th.

The Mirai’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 357 miles, 1% further than the Model 3 Long Range’s 353 mile range. After it exhausts its pure electric range, the Mirai can then continue for 45 more miles on its internal combustion engine, while the Model 3 has to recharge for 8 hours and 30 minutes for only a % charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas.

The Mirai stops much shorter than the Model 3:

For better traction, the Mirai Limited’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model 3 (245/45R20 vs. 235/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mirai has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Model 3.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mirai’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the Model 3 (114.9 inches vs. 113.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mirai is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than on the Model 3.

The Mirai has 3.1 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear hip room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model 3.

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the Mirai offers cargo security. The Model 3’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

The Mirai Limited has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Mirai’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model 3 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mirai has standard extendable sun visors. The Model 3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the Mirai Limited to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The Mirai’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Model 3’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

Standard air conditioned seats in front and rear seats keep the Mirai Limited’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Model 3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.