Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) unveiled pricing and opened pre-orders for its inaugural electric vehicle, the Afeela 1, at CES 2025. This joint venture between Sony and Honda is accepting reservations now, with deliveries slated to begin in 2026, initially exclusively in California.
The Afeela 1 is available in two trims: the Origin, priced at $89,900, and the Signature, at $102,900. The Signature boasts 21-inch wheels, rear-seat entertainment, and a central camera monitoring system. A refundable $200 deposit secures a place in the production queue, which will commence at Honda’s new EV facility in Ohio.
Subscription-Based Tech Features
Many of the Afeela 1’s technological features will require ongoing subscriptions. SHM offers a complimentary three-year subscription covering driver-assist functions, voice assistant, entertainment, and 5G connectivity. Fees will apply after this period.
Design and Sensor Suite
The Afeela 1 closely resembles the prototype shown at CES 2023, with added exterior protrusions likely housing sensors. Afeela boasts a comprehensive suite of 40 cameras, lidar, radar, and ultrasonic sensors for its driver-assist system.
Afeela 1 exterior with sensors.
Afeela 1 interior dashboard.
The vehicle features a panoramic, door-to-door screen powered by Unreal Engine, coupled with Afeela’s proprietary natural-language voice recognition and Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound audio system. SHM has also developed noise-canceling technology to enhance cabin quietness. The interior incorporates plant-based and recycled materials.
Afeela 1 interior showcasing screen.
Performance and Charging
The Afeela 1 features a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, with a 241-horsepower motor on each axle. A 91-kilowatt-hour battery pack targets a 300-mile range. Tesla Supercharger access is available from launch via a built-in NACS port, although the 150-kilowatt maximum charging rate limits its utilization of DC fast charging. Level 2 AC charging at 11 kilowatts is also supported.
Afeela 1 charge port.
Market Competition
Despite the backing of Honda and Sony, and its focus on advanced driver-assist and in-cabin technology, the Afeela 1 faces stiff competition. The Lucid Air Pure offers 420 miles of range and faster charging for $20,000 less. Even the base Tesla Model S, currently priced $10,000 lower, offers 402 miles of range. Furthermore, the Afeela 1’s mechanical underpinnings are expected to be shared with Honda’s forthcoming 0 Series EVs, potentially at a more competitive price.
Afeela 1 on the road.
Conclusion
The Afeela 1 presents a compelling blend of technology and automotive engineering from two industry giants. However, its premium pricing and subscription model for key features, coupled with strong competition from established EV players, pose significant challenges. It remains to be seen how the market will receive this innovative but potentially expensive offering.
