Sony Honda Mobility’s Afeela: A Deep Dive into the Future of Electric Vehicles
The automotive landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation, driven by the convergence of technology and transportation. Sony Honda Mobility’s Afeela electric sedan epitomizes this shift, promising a driving experience that seamlessly blends advanced autonomous capabilities with a cutting-edge entertainment ecosystem. Announced at CES 2025, the Afeela marks a significant step towards a future where vehicles are not just modes of transport but sophisticated, personalized digital hubs. This ambitious project, born from the collaboration of two industry giants, aims to redefine the relationship between drivers and their cars.
The Afeela has been a subject of anticipation since the unveiling of the Vision-S concept car in 2020, followed by the official Afeela branding in 2023. This year’s CES presentation solidified the vision, revealing pricing, pre-order availability, and a deeper understanding of the vehicle’s capabilities. The demonstration highlighted the Afeela Personality Agent, an AI-powered digital assistant designed to interact with occupants both inside and outside the vehicle, showcasing the potential for a more intuitive and personalized driving experience. This emphasis on human-machine interaction sets the Afeela apart, suggesting a future where cars anticipate our needs and adapt to our preferences.
Two versions of the Afeela will be available: the Origin and the Signature. The Origin, priced at $89,900, offers a compelling entry point into the Afeela experience. It features a sleek black exterior, 19-inch wheels, and the core technological advancements of the Afeela platform, including the expansive dashboard display and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. The Signature model, priced at $102,900, elevates the experience with added luxury and entertainment features. This includes dual rear-seat entertainment systems, larger 21-inch wheels, and a broader selection of exterior and interior color options. While both models share the same underlying technology, the Signature caters to those seeking a premium and more feature-rich experience.
Underpinning both models is a robust 91 kilowatt-hour battery, promising an estimated range of up to 300 miles. The inclusion of NACS charging as standard, with support for up to 150 kW charging speeds, positions the Afeela for convenient and efficient charging. Every Afeela will come equipped with the Afeela Intelligent Drive assistance suite and the Afeela Personal Assistant, emphasizing safety and seamless integration of technology. The centerpiece of the Afeela’s interior is the impressive pillar-to-pillar dashboard display, powered by Unreal Engine graphics. This display serves as the central hub for navigation, driver assistance information, and the vehicle’s user interface, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience.
Sony’s commitment to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is evident in the Afeela’s impressive array of 40 sensors, designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the vehicle’s surroundings. The ultimate goal is to achieve “one-touch, end-to-end” autonomous driving, allowing occupants to simply input their destination and enjoy the ride while engaging with the vehicle’s entertainment features. While full autonomy remains a long-term aspiration, with the pre-order website currently specifying Level 2 autonomy, the Afeela’s sensor suite and underlying software architecture lay the groundwork for future advancements in autonomous driving.
The Afeela represents a bold step into the future of mobility, blending cutting-edge technology with a focus on user experience. Pre-orders are currently open, with a refundable $200 deposit securing a place in line for deliveries, which are expected to begin in Spring 2026 for the Signature model and 2027 for the Origin. While the price point positions the Afeela in the premium segment, the promise of advanced autonomous capabilities, a sophisticated entertainment system, and the prestige of the Sony and Honda brands is likely to attract early adopters eager to experience the next generation of electric vehicles. For those who can’t wait to experience the Afeela, a virtual version is available in Gran Turismo 7 on PlayStation 5, offering a glimpse into the future of driving. The Afeela is more than just a car; it’s a statement about the future of transportation, where technology and human experience converge to create a new era of mobility.
