Find out about the Sony Honda Afeela 1- a luxury EV that has AI, gameplay, 300 mile range, and tech that is three decades ahead. Renew in California.
What is Afeela 1?
- Manufacturer & Brand
It is the first production vehicle of Sony Honda Mobility, the joint venture between Sony and Honda that was formed in 2022.
Production Timeline / Availability
The production will start in 2026 at Ohio, USA. First deliveries will be made in mid-2026, and pre-orders (including a refundable $200 reservation) are now being accepted, although this time only to California residents.
Specs & Performance
- Body & Layout
A five-door, 5-door liftback, dual-motor, all wheel drive.
- Powertrain & Range
Has 2 motors (with a total rating of 180 kW) which are serviced by a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery providing a range of about 300 miles (~480 km). Quick charge: maximum of 150 kW through NACS (Tesla-compatible).
- Driver Assistance
Has Level 2+ or potentially Level 3 autonomy under certain circumstances with as many as 40 sensors (18 cameras, 1 LiDAR, 9 radars, 12 ultrasonics) and a high-power compute unit (up to 800 TOPS).
Design & Features
- Exterior Design
Minimalistic, clean styling, flush surfaces, concealed handles, and a unique Media Bar on the bumper that can show messages, charge status or graphics.
- Interior Highlights
Futuristic cabin featuring:
o A wrap-around digital dash,
o Yoke-style steering wheel,
o Ambient lighting and 360° spatial sound (Dolby Atmos noise cancelling),
o Back-seat entertainment screens,
o Infotainment based on the Epic Games Unreal Engine and an AI assistant (Afeela Personal Agent).
Pricing & Trim Levels
- Origin (Base Trim):
Starts at 89,900 which comes with a 3-year free subscription to functionalities such as auto-driving, AI assistant, content, and 5G connectivity.
- Signature (Premium Trim):
At a price of 102,900, comes additional options like 21 inch wheels, rear entertainment display, center camera view, and high-end interior fittings.
- Note: Signature deliveries to be received mid-2026; Origin will be received in 2027.
Market Position & Commentary
- Target Audience
Positioned to rival luxury EVs like Tesla Model S and Lucid Air – especially among tech enthusiasts who view immersive entertainment as an essential part of a car compared to luxury finishes and AI-oriented center features.
- Criticism & Debate
According to some automotive fans and observers, the price is high when compared to performance – 300-mile range and 150 kW charging are capabilities Tesla offered many years ago. The value proposition of its product was criticized by one Reddit user who described it as clearly the most ridiculous car product of the past ten years.
| Feature | Details |
| Brand | Sony Honda Mobility (joint venture) |
| Launch | Pre-orders open (California only); deliveries mid-2026 (Signature) |
| Powertrain | Dual-motor AWD, ~483 hp, 91 kWh battery, ~300 mi range, 150 kW charging |
| Sensors & Tech | ~40 sensors, high-core compute, Level 2+/3 autonomy |
| Interior & Style | Futuristic cabin, panoramic screens, AI assistant, spatial audio, Media Bar |
| Trims & Price | Origin: $89,900; Signature: $102,900 (both include 3-year feature subscription) |
What Makes It Stand Out—and Where It Faces Challenges
| Strengths | Challenges |
| Sony’s legacy in entertainment and audio—full-spectrum visuals, immersive spatial sound, gaming integration, AI-based assistant. | Competes in a crowded luxury EV space (Lucid, Tesla, Mercedes, etc.) with similar or superior range/performance at comparable prices. |
| Sleek, user-focused design with advanced driver-assist tech and futuristic cabin feel. | A new brand lacking dealer network; early availability limited to California limits immediate appeal. |
| Includes advanced features as standard for the first 3 years. | These features require a subscription after the complimentary period, an extra cost hurdle. |
| Early pre-production and manufacturing underway, indicating progress toward delivery. | Prototype demos at CES experienced tech glitches—connectivity issues, partial feature reliability—suggest more refinement needed. |
Summary-
Afeela 1 is a radical, tech-driven luxury EV. Its gaming level of infotainment, artificial intelligence-driven interface, smooth design, and California-first rollout plan are expected to change the way people use their cars. Its pricing puts it in the same vein as EV giants such as Lucid and Tesla, but with a different emphasis on digital lifestyle instead of performance by itself.
Its success will depend on the ability of Sony Honda Mobility to deliver on hardware reliability, availability expansion, and the value of its technology-focused approach to a sophisticated luxury EV market.
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