Skip advert
Advertisement
Road tests

Toyota FCV Concept review

We try the Toyota FCV fuel cell prototype in Lexus body

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your next car here
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

This Toyota FCV Concept reveals there’s a bright future for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The tech is practical and refined, but it’s still hard to justify. Before it arrives, more has to be done to reduce the cost, and there clearly needs to be a refuelling infrastructure in place. A 300-mile range means nothing if you can’t find anywhere to fill your tanks.

Advertisement - Article continues below

At last month’s Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota unveiled its Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) concept, which will inspire a production car bosses say will go on sale in the UK in 2017. Auto Express has tried the hydrogen tech that’ll power that car, hidden underneath the body of a Lexus HS 250h.

At its heart is a hydrogen fuel stack – fitted under the passenger seat – while there are hydrogen tanks beneath the rear passenger seat and under the boot. As a result there’s no effect on interior space.

In the stack, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity and water vapour. That power goes to a 135bhp electric motor under the bonnet, which can keep spinning for around 300 miles on a full tank before needing to be refilled – a process that takes three minutes if you can actually get your hands on some hydrogen.

It feels just like an electric car to drive. Acceleration is brisk off the line, due to the motor’s instant response, and speed builds smoothly. There is one subtle difference, though: the hydrogen compressor makes a whining noise while driving, which is noticeable above the faint hum of the electric motor.

Still, the car is surefooted – as the heavy fuel tanks are mounted low down, there’s a low centre of gravity. The best news about the FCV is that, unlike Honda’s FCX Clarity, we’ll actually see it in the UK. The bad news? It’ll cost around £60,000 – a lot for a Toyota saloon you’ll struggle to find somewhere to fill up.

At the moment, the hydrogen car faces the same ‘chicken and egg’ problem as the electric car – the infrastructure isn’t in place as there’s no demand for it, and there’s no demand as there’s no infrastructure.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More reviews

New & used car deals

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,500 off RRP*
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £2,241 off RRP*Used from £20,921
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,773 off RRP*Used from £15,876
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can’t be anything but popular
Kia Sportage - side panning

Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can’t be anything but popular

The Kia Sportage has earned its popularity over the years and deals like our Car Deal of the Day for June 14 won’t do it any harm at all.
News
14 Jun 2025
New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer
Volvo EM90 - front

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer

Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it’s for China only
Road tests
16 Jun 2025