When Sony and Honda announced a partnership to create a new EV, the industry raised an eyebrow. A tech titan meets a legacy automaker? The result is Afeela, a brand under their joint venture Sony Honda Mobility, and their debut vehicle, the Afeela 1, is anything but ordinary. Introduced with great fanfare at CES 2025, the Afeela EV is set to enter production in 2026. But this isn’t just another luxury EV. It’s an attempt to redefine the very nature of what a car can be—not just transportation, but a digital experience.
In this article, we take a deep dive into the Afeela EV’s specs, design philosophy, features, and what sets it apart from the competition.
What is the Afeela EV?
The Afeela EV is a sleek, liftback-style electric sedan designed to blend automotive engineering, digital entertainment, and advanced AI into a single mobility platform. Afeela isn’t meant to just move you from point A to B; it’s intended to act as a smart device on wheels, adapting to your mood, routines, and environment.
This project represents Sony’s first major leap into consumer mobility, using its strength in sensors, entertainment, AI, and UX, while Honda brings its safety, vehicle architecture, and production capabilities to the table.
Key Specifications
Performance & Powertrain
- Dual Motor AWD with a combined 483 hp (180 kW per motor)
- 0-60 mph in ~4.8 seconds (est.)
- Top Speed: 130+ mph
Battery & Range
- Battery Capacity: 91 kWh lithium-ion
- Estimated EPA Range: 300 miles (483 km)
- DC Fast Charging: Up to 150 kW (NACS connector supported)
- AC Charging: 11 kW onboard charger
Dimensions
- Length: 4,914 mm
- Width: 1,900 mm
- Height: 1,460 mm
- Wheelbase: 3,000 mm
- Curb Weight: ~4,900 lbs
Sensor Fusion: A Digital Co-Pilot
One of the boldest steps Afeela takes is its use of sensor fusion to deliver the safest, smartest driving assistance system in its class. It has:
- 45+ sensors including:
- High-resolution cameras
- Solid-state LIDAR
- mmWave radar
- Ultrasonic sensors
- Snapdragon Digital Chassis from Qualcomm (800 TOPS compute)
- AI for pedestrian behavior prediction, traffic modeling, and 3D spatial mapping
This sensor-rich suite supports:
- Level 2+ driver assistance at launch
- Level 3 conditional autonomy expected in future OTA updates (pending regulations)
Unlike Tesla’s vision-only system, Afeela takes a more conservative, multi-layered sensor approach for maximum redundancy and reliability.
Entertainment That Feels Like a Living Room
Sony is bringing its audio-visual expertise straight into the cabin:
- 360-degree spatial audio with seat-specific tuning
- Front and rear touchscreen displays for video, navigation, and media
- PS5-ready entertainment center with game streaming
- Media Bar: External LED strip across the front bumper to display messages, charging status, or customizable greetings
- Built-in streaming apps like Crunchyroll, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube
Expect rear-seat passengers to use DualSense controllers to play games or watch movies while the car drives itself in supported conditions.
Interior & User Experience
Cabin Philosophy: “Second Home”
- Panoramic glass roof with electrochromic shading
- Vegan leather and recycled fabric materials
- Ambient lighting with user-customizable themes
- Tri-zone climate control
User Interface
- Panoramic screen spans the entire dashboard
- Afeela Agent AI: Voice assistant that learns your habits
- Gesture control & facial recognition login
- OTA updates for UI improvements and feature unlocks
Sony calls this the “Mobility as a Relationship” model—a car that knows you, grows with you, and entertains you.
Exterior Design: Understated but Futuristic
From a distance, the Afeela looks minimalist, even plain. But closer inspection reveals the subtleties:
- Flush door handles
- Hidden sensors under smoked panels
- Dual light bars (front and rear)
- Aerodynamic profile with fastback roofline
- Low drag coefficient (Cd ~0.24)
Designers emphasized “calm tech”—technology that supports you without overwhelming you visually.
Competitive Pricing (Luxury Tier)
| Trim | Price (Est.) | Range | Performance | Target Customer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | $89,900 | 300 miles | 483 hp AWD | Tech-savvy professionals |
| Signature | $102,900 | 300 miles | Enhanced features | Early adopters, premium segment |
Reservations open: California only initially, with a $200 refundable deposit
Production: Honda plant in Ohio
Deliveries: Mid-2026 (Signature), 2027 (Origin)
OTA Future-Proofing
Afeela is designed to evolve via over-the-air updates:
- Improve driving assist features
- Add new entertainment services
- Subscription-based upgrades
- Predictive maintenance alerts
Sony even hinted at possible augmented reality HUDs, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and dynamic driver profiles.
FAQs About Afeela EV
Q1. What sets Afeela apart from other electric sedans?
Afeela integrates Sony’s strengths in sensors, entertainment, and AI with Honda’s reliable engineering. It’s more than a car—it’s a digital lifestyle platform.
Q2. Will it support Tesla Superchargers?
Yes, it uses the NACS port and supports Tesla Superchargers for DC fast charging.
Q3. Can I play PS5 games in the car?
Yes, with streaming via the cloud and DualSense controller support for rear passengers.
Q4. Is Afeela self-driving?
It will launch with Level 2+ autonomy and expects to offer Level 3 in the future via OTA updates.
Q5. Where is Afeela being built?
At Honda’s manufacturing facility in Ohio, USA.
Final Thoughts: The EV That Thinks Like a Gadget
The Afeela EV isn’t just Sony and Honda trying to catch up with Tesla—it’s a reimagining of what the car should be in a post-smartphone world. It’s not only a vehicle for transportation, but for connection, creativity, and customization.
With production set to begin in 2026, Afeela is one of the most anticipated EVs of the decade. For tech lovers, future-focused drivers, and families that want a safe yet exciting ride, Afeela may become the new gold standard.
Stay tuned—this is only the beginning of what Sony Honda Mobility has planned.