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The clean lines and horizon lighting look good while remaining restrained, which seems about right … [+] for a Honda.
Afeela
Sony and Honda cooperating on an electric car? If you think one of the world’s top carmakers collaborating with a one of the largest media player and content owners is a recipe for an interesting automobile, well, I feel ya.
Sorry, couldn’t resist. Punny bits about the funny (to some people) name of the car and the company formed to produce it aside, it looks like the partnership is moving forward, with “Afeela 1” cars expected to arrive in an $89,900 introductory trim in 2026 and higher-end $102,000 variant slated for 2027. Production slots are now available for a $200 deposit but only to California residents. Honda/Afeela says reservations outside California will open later in 2025. A video of a prototype on a test track was also released.
The partnership between carmaker Honda and (in this instance) content provider Sony has resulted in an interesting electric vehicle that could also be a rolling concert hall – and media store. Besides that, there are some other interesting features, including motorized doors with no handles that open as you approach (a smartphone or key fob will be required) and then close and lock once you’re in the car (video below).
One clear departure from other electric cars is the sensor package mounted above the windscreen on the Afeela’s exterior. Whether those protuberances make it onto the production vehicle, the latest of which was just shown at the annual CES tech show in Las Vegas, remains to be seen (and hopefully won’t be seen). Afeela says the car will include at least one LiDAR unit, 9 radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors. It appears the three bits include cameras and likely radar/LiDAR as part of a 40-odd sensor package designed to facilitate self-driving or at least heavily assisted driving.
Visible or not, Afeela/Sony/Honda said the car will pack AI
The rear view keeps the lines simple and has a bit of Chevy Volt flavor to it.
Afeela
smarts to assist in driving and route planning. While an AI driver assist function called “Vision Transformer” or ViT will be included, no specific AI brand or package was specified but the company did say the AI and sensors will work together in a system they called “sensor fusion” for features such as parking spot detection (video below), self-parking and driver assistance through natural language.
There will be an app for the Afeela, of course, with both the app and the car utilizing OTA (Over the Air) updates for software and systems updates. Computing will be based on Qualcomm Snapdragon system-on-chip (SoC) technology. The interior will also boast a wide-format touchscreen up front that is user-configurable along with large touchscreens for both rear seats.
Each seat has its own screen, and a dedicated individual sound system.
Afeela
Other tech bits include active interior noise cancellation and a unique (for the moment) messaging panel mounted on the Afeela’s front bonnet lip (below). Owners can customize the front message panel in numerous ways.
Unsurprisingly, Sony has decked out the Afeela’s interior with a potent sound system featuring 360-Degree Spatial Audio technology with Dolby Atmos support, which the company says will be able to make it appear that sound is coming from speakers outside the car. Conversely, each seat will have its own audio system built in so each individual inside the car can have their own audio experience, whether its music, gaming or other audio needs. Naturally, Sony will likely give passengers a wide range of media and gaming options to choose from.
Overall, the Affela 1 looks to a be a very tech-forward option coming from a collaboration between two highly respected brands. Will it be enough to see a large number of cars at luxury car prices? That will be the true test when it comes time for those putting down a deposit to pony up for the full build price.
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