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Picture a generic electric sedan built by a joint venture between Honda and Sony, the former contributing its automotive expertise and the latter bringing, er, a widescreen display with PlayStation integration. It goes by the name Afeela, so we've asked ourselves how this makes us feel. Indifferent? Concerned for the future of cars? Confused at Honda for saying yes to this? No matter what your response might be, Honda and Sony have indeed collaborated to deliver what they call the Afeela, a rather bland-looking EV that focuses completely on technological advancement.
If this sounds familiar, that's because the two companies first revealed an earlier prototype of this sedan at last year's CES (Consumer Electronics Show), but this year they've returned to show off a new iteration that inches ever so slightly closer to production. Aside from the more realistic design, Sony Honda Mobility has also released some near-production specs ahead of the Afeela sedan's 2026 release date.
We'll start with the drivetrain details, which were not disclosed last year. The Afeela will utilize an all-wheel drive setup, with one 241-hp motor mounted on each axle. Total output hasn't been mentioned, but we do know that power is sourced from a 91.0-kWh battery pack. Sony Honda Mobility was also too shy to reveal range figures, but when it runs out, the Afeela sedan will support DC fast charging at up to 150 kW and AC charging at up to 11 kW.
The sedan will also feature an air suspension, with unequal-length control arms in front and a multi-link setup in the back. It's also worth noting that 245/40 front and 275/35 rear tires are wrapped around 21-inch wheels.
Comparing dimensions to Honda's current lineup, the Afeela sedan is closest to the midsize Accord, measuring in at roughly two inches shorter with a wheelbase that's around seven inches longer. In comparison to last year's prototype, the improved Afeela loses its slender camera mounted on each A-pillar, replacing them with conventional side mirrors. Elsewhere, the trim around the headlight area is thicker, surrounding what appear to be real headlamps. The fender-mounted charging port has also been enlarged, and the sharp creases around the rocker panels and rear bumper have been revised.
Meanwhile, the interior goes on relatively unchanged, keeping its dashboard-dominating display flanked by camera-based digital side mirrors, despite the new addition of real mirrors. In addition, the steering wheel is still a wannabe yoke that's really just a squircle with the top abruptly chopped off. Among the subtle improvements are a more spacious center console, dual wireless chargers, a small camera peeking above the displays, a tweaked rearview mirror, and slight adjustments to that weird steering wheel––yoke? Half square? Semi-squircle? We'll just stick with 'wheel.' And if that doesn't work, this prototype rolled onto stage at CES with the use of a PS5 controller. It just remains to be seen whether that feature will be making it to 2026.
Order books for the Afeela sedan will open up in 2025, before sales commence in 2026. And for those who just can't wait to see it hit U.S. roads, the prototype will be available on the Gran Turismo 7 video game later in the year.
Image Credits: Sony Honda Mobility
Revealed
Jan 25, 2024
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Sony Honda Mobility's Afeela Sedan Returns To CES Looking Production-Ready
The tech-focused EV is due to enter production in 2026.
Picture a generic electric sedan built by a joint venture between Honda and Sony, the former contributing its automotive expertise and the latter bringing, er, a widescreen display with PlayStation integration. It goes by the name Afeela, so we've asked ourselves how this makes us feel. Indifferent? Concerned for the future of cars? Confused at Honda for saying yes to this? No matter what your response might be, Honda and Sony have indeed collaborated to deliver what they call the Afeela, a rather bland-looking EV that focuses completely on technological advancement.
If this sounds familiar, that's because the two companies first revealed an earlier prototype of this sedan at last year's CES (Consumer Electronics Show), but this year they've returned to show off a new iteration that inches ever so slightly closer to production. Aside from the more realistic design, Sony Honda Mobility has also released some near-production specs ahead of the Afeela sedan's 2026 release date.
We'll start with the drivetrain details, which were not disclosed last year. The Afeela will utilize an all-wheel drive setup, with one 241-hp motor mounted on each axle. Total output hasn't been mentioned, but we do know that power is sourced from a 91.0-kWh battery pack. Sony Honda Mobility was also too shy to reveal range figures, but when it runs out, the Afeela sedan will support DC fast charging at up to 150 kW and AC charging at up to 11 kW.
The sedan will also feature an air suspension, with unequal-length control arms in front and a multi-link setup in the back. It's also worth noting that 245/40 front and 275/35 rear tires are wrapped around 21-inch wheels.
Comparing dimensions to Honda's current lineup, the Afeela sedan is closest to the midsize Accord, measuring in at roughly two inches shorter with a wheelbase that's around seven inches longer. In comparison to last year's prototype, the improved Afeela loses its slender camera mounted on each A-pillar, replacing them with conventional side mirrors. Elsewhere, the trim around the headlight area is thicker, surrounding what appear to be real headlamps. The fender-mounted charging port has also been enlarged, and the sharp creases around the rocker panels and rear bumper have been revised.
Meanwhile, the interior goes on relatively unchanged, keeping its dashboard-dominating display flanked by camera-based digital side mirrors, despite the new addition of real mirrors. In addition, the steering wheel is still a wannabe yoke that's really just a squircle with the top abruptly chopped off. Among the subtle improvements are a more spacious center console, dual wireless chargers, a small camera peeking above the displays, a tweaked rearview mirror, and slight adjustments to that weird steering wheel––yoke? Half square? Semi-squircle? We'll just stick with 'wheel.' And if that doesn't work, this prototype rolled onto stage at CES with the use of a PS5 controller. It just remains to be seen whether that feature will be making it to 2026.
Order books for the Afeela sedan will open up in 2025, before sales commence in 2026. And for those who just can't wait to see it hit U.S. roads, the prototype will be available on the Gran Turismo 7 video game later in the year.
Image Credits: Sony Honda Mobility
