The latest iteration of Sony Honda Mobility's Afeela 1 sedan, unveiled at CES 2026, still feels decidedly out of date. The car has been in development since 2020, with a prototype making its debut six years ago. Despite promises of significant advancements, the current model appears to be largely unchanged from last year's version.
The Afeela 1's exterior design is characterized by a sedate appearance that fails to impress. Its large 31.5-inch-wide "Media Bar" micro-LED display on the nose does little to enhance its overall aesthetic. The car's exterior remains uninspired, with minimal changes since last year's unveiling.
However, some improvements have been made to the interior. The cabin features a higher degree of fit and finish compared to previous models, with advanced infotainment software that offers comprehensive functionality. A 12.3-inch LCD gauge cluster is joined by a 28.5-inch display panel that spans the width of the dashboard.
The car's interior boasts several notable features, including Dolby Atmos support for spatial audio, and 28 speakers for an immersive music experience. The sweeping display across the dashboard provides an impressive visual backdrop for the cabin. However, some may find it excessive, particularly with regards to the presence of cameras in the roof that will provide Level 2+ driver assistance.
Despite these advancements, the Afeela 1's value proposition remains unclear. The car starts at a hefty $89,900 and offers only around 300 miles of range. Its lack of significant updates since last year has raised questions about its desirability in an increasingly crowded EV market.
Sony Honda Mobility is attempting to differentiate the Afeela 1 with its focus on premium audio and video features, as well as advanced safety features like LiDAR sensors. However, with established luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz shifting their focus towards more affordable EVs, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to justify the car's high price point.
Ultimately, the Afeela 1's continued lack of innovation raises concerns about its viability in the market. While it may appeal to die-hard PlayStation fans, its high price and limited range make it difficult to recommend for anyone but the most devoted enthusiasts.
The Afeela 1's exterior design is characterized by a sedate appearance that fails to impress. Its large 31.5-inch-wide "Media Bar" micro-LED display on the nose does little to enhance its overall aesthetic. The car's exterior remains uninspired, with minimal changes since last year's unveiling.
However, some improvements have been made to the interior. The cabin features a higher degree of fit and finish compared to previous models, with advanced infotainment software that offers comprehensive functionality. A 12.3-inch LCD gauge cluster is joined by a 28.5-inch display panel that spans the width of the dashboard.
The car's interior boasts several notable features, including Dolby Atmos support for spatial audio, and 28 speakers for an immersive music experience. The sweeping display across the dashboard provides an impressive visual backdrop for the cabin. However, some may find it excessive, particularly with regards to the presence of cameras in the roof that will provide Level 2+ driver assistance.
Despite these advancements, the Afeela 1's value proposition remains unclear. The car starts at a hefty $89,900 and offers only around 300 miles of range. Its lack of significant updates since last year has raised questions about its desirability in an increasingly crowded EV market.
Sony Honda Mobility is attempting to differentiate the Afeela 1 with its focus on premium audio and video features, as well as advanced safety features like LiDAR sensors. However, with established luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz shifting their focus towards more affordable EVs, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to justify the car's high price point.
Ultimately, the Afeela 1's continued lack of innovation raises concerns about its viability in the market. While it may appeal to die-hard PlayStation fans, its high price and limited range make it difficult to recommend for anyone but the most devoted enthusiasts.
and $89k is insane that's like buying a small house in some parts of usa what makes them think ppl will pay that kinda cash for it?
but honestly it feels like they're playing it too safe 
the exterior design is meh, I get that the media bar display is a cool feature but it's not enough to impress me 
and have you seen the prices? $89,900?!?! that's just crazy 
what's up with the lack of innovation? I mean I love premium audio and video features as much as the next person, but 300 miles of range is kinda low for an EV 
BMW and Mercedes-Benz are already offering more affordable options and their tech is on point 
maybe this car is just for the die-hard PlayStation fans who don't care about practicality 
.
, but that just highlights how much they're relyin' on gimmicks instead of actual innovation. And have you seen those prices for maintenance? Forget about it 
.
It's just gonna be a bunch of noise in the background while you're drivin'. I mean, what's next? A car that plays your favorite video games on the go? 
.
. Don't get me wrong, the interior is looking sharp and the audio features are on point 
, but $89k is just a lot to swallow for most people. I mean, you could get a sweet new Tesla or Audi for that price and it'd still come out way ahead 
. Either way, I'm not convinced this thing would sell well in the real world 
i mean, what's with the giant display on the front? it looks like they just slapped a tablet on the hood 
and called it a day. and don't even get me started on the interior - all those screens and cameras just feels like too much for my taste 
28 speakers are cool and all, but is that really worth $89k? 
not sure about this one, seems like they're just trying to cater to a specific niche (ps4 fans, anyone?) rather than making a more compelling case for their product 
️. It's just that when you compare it to other luxury EVs like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, it starts to feel like a bit of a niche player 
.
.
. The LiDAR sensors are a nice touch, but is it really worth the extra cost? I'd be more impressed if they were offering something truly groundbreaking 
. That 28.5-inch display panel is pretty cool, even if it does feel a bit excessive 
. But overall, I'm just not sure this car is worth the investment 
?
. And $89,900 is just crazy rich for what you're getting - 300 miles of range? That's not even a full day on a charge 
. I mean, come on, $89,900 for a "new" design that's basically last year's model? That's some next-level price-gouging right there 
It's like they're trying to make you feel like you're driving a spaceship instead of just getting from point A to point B 
. Let's just say this car is like the ultimate "meh" – it exists, but who really cares? 
, especially with that massive display panel 
. But at the same time, $89,900 is just too much 
. On one hand, LiDAR sensors are super advanced and could be game-changers 
, but on the other hand, established brands are already offering more affordable EVs with similar features 
. I guess what I'm saying is... idk, man... maybe it's a love-it-or-hate-it situation 
. Maybe the premium audio and safety features will make up for it, but right now, I'm just not sold on the Afeela 1 
. But $89,900? Are you kidding me? 
.
️. The lack of significant updates since last year's unveiling is just a big turn-off 
. According to my research, the Afeela 1 is actually one of the fastest-growing EV models on the market 
.
That's a huge market share, and I think Sony Honda Mobility needs to consider how they'll compete with other luxury brands 
.
But at $89,900 and only 300 miles of range? No thanks