Sony and Honda's Afeela 1 electric hatchback arriving in 2026 for $89,900
The Afeela 1, the EV from a joint venture between Honda and Sony, will arrive in 2026
Base Afeela 1 EVs will cost $89,900 while the Signature trim costs $102,900
Afeela is now taking $200 deposits, but it'll only be available in California initially
Sony and Honda confirmed pricing for the first electric vehicle from their joint Afeela brand at this week's CES 2025 in Las Vegas.
Now officially known as the Afeela 1, the electric hatchback will cost $89,900 in base Origin spec. A $102,900 Afeela 1 Signature grade is also available, adding 21-inch wheels and a rear-seat entertainment system. The pricier model will also arrive earlier. It's expected to start deliveries in 2026, while buyers of the Origin will have to wait until 2027.
Afeela is now accepting reservations, requiring a $200 refundable deposit, but only in California. Another caveat is that software-enabled features such as driver assistance and voice recognition are subscription-based, and only complimentary for the first three years of ownership.
Afeela 1
The near-production ready version shown at CES 2025 looks similar to the prototype shown in 2024, with some changes such as added cameras at the front corners of the roof. They're part of an array of 40 sensors aimed at enabling Level 3 automation on the SAE autonomy scale. This allows for eyes-off driving in some situations, but Afeela expects to only offer Level 2 capability initially, and will ship cars with driver-monitoring systems.
The innocuous looking hatchback measures 193.5 inches long, making it about two inches shorter than a Honda Accord, but with a wheelbase that's almost seven inches longer. The interior features door-to-door screens and a yoke-style steering wheel to make them easier to view. Afeela also claims that 70% of the interior's surface area is made from plant-based or recycled materials.
A sophisticated audio system leverages Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Technologies for 3D sound. This, combined with the many screens, is aimed at making the car into a mobile lounge for watching videos or using apps that Afeela is engaging with third parties to develop. And yes, you can run PlayStation video games on the dashboard screen, as well as get game-inspired wallpapers for both the interior screen and a "media bar" that takes the place of a traditional grille.
Afeela 1
A standard dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain includes one 241-hp motor per axle. Afeela said it's aiming for 300 miles of EPA range using a 91-kwh battery pack, and will offer NACS charging from the get-go. However, the peak DC fast-charge power rate is a fairly low 150 kw. The Afeela 1 can also charge at 11 kw using a Level 2 AC charger.
Sony's interest in building an electric car goes back to the Vision S concept presented at CES 2020. It followed that up with the Vision S-02 SUV concept before announcing its partnership with Honda in 2022. The Afeela brand was announced a few months later, at CES 2023.
The Afeela 1 will be built in Ohio, where Honda is expanding two plants to accommodate production of EVs, including its own 0 Series models also due in 2026 and future EVs for the premium Acura brand.
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