Sony/Honda's Afeela 1 EV is here, can it compete with Tesla?
When electronics, entertainment, and carmaker behemoths like Sony and Honda combine forces, you get the Afeela 1.
At the start of the CES consumer technology show in Las Vegas this week, the joint venture known as Sony Honda Mobility announced the first step in launching a production electric sedan. Reservations for the Afeela 1 opened Monday night for $200.
The Afeela was first shown as a concept vehicle at CES 2023 and is expected to start deliveries sometime next year or in 2027. Going even further back, at CES 2020, Sony showed its Vision-S concept EV, which laid the foundation for the Afeela 1. Two trims were announced at this year's tech conference.
The Afeela 1 Origin is the base trim
The base Origin trim will be available later in 2027. It will have a range of up to 300 miles, 19-inch alloy wheels, and is expected to start at $89,900. The Origin trim is only available in Core Black with a black interior.
While the Afeela 1 Signature is the highest trim level
If you're feeling spendy, the higher-level Afeela 1 Signature will be released first for $102,900. The Signature trim has 21-inch alloy wheels, backseat entertainment consoles, a camera monitoring system, and three extra paint colors: Tidal Gray, Calm White, and Core Black. The interior is clad in a matching gray or black.
All Afeela trims put technology first
The Afeela 1, no matter the trim level, has a strong focus on technology. Both models feature a three-year subscription to a Level 2+ advanced driving system called Afeela Intelligent Drive, on-demand entertainment, and an Afeela Personal Agent that serves as Sony Honda's version of Siri or Alexa.
A panoramic front display with 3D mapping, a spatial sound system, and 5G connectivity round out the cutting-edge technology suite of the Afeela's cabin.
In true Sony fashion, the website emphasizes Afeela 1's computing power of 800 Tera Operations Per Second, or TOPS, and the 40 different sensors. Sony has partnered with many media and entertainment brands, such as Amazon Music, Spotify, TuneIn, Audible, Crunchyroll, and even Zoom, to feature their applications in the car's infotainment system.
The Afeela will first be available for California residents before expanding to other states. If this sounds right up your alley, you can reserve yours for a refundable $200 deposit.
Final thoughts
The Afeela is more about the tech and entertainment capabilities than the driver experience, performance, or even battery advancements. Most of the car's debut was devoted to infotainment features like the big screens front and back and content partners like Crunchyroll and Stingray Karaoke.
If you're after a slick driving experience with an emphasis on handling and performance, you'd best look elsewhere. If you're the Silicon Valley type who wants the latest gadgets built into your commuter, the Afeela is for you.
