CES 2025: the first electric car from Sony and Honda is now available for pre-order

Afeela, a joint project between Sony and Honda, is taking another step toward reality. At CES 2025, Sony Honda Mobility announced the launch of pre-orders for its electric car and revealed details of pricing, features and delivery times.

Afeela.

Two versions: Origin and Signature

The Afeela 1 model will be offered in two versions:

• Afeela 1 Origin: $89,900
• Afeela 1 Signature: $102,900

Both versions include a three-year subscription to a number of built-in features such as the Level 2+ driver assistance system and artificial intelligence-based personal assistant.

Pre-orders are already open, but there’s a restriction – only California residents can apply. A $200 refundable deposit will be required. There’s no word yet on availability in other states.

The model is not yet available in other states.

Afeela 1 specs

Sony Honda Mobility also unveiled new specifications for the electric car:

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• Range of motion: up to 300 miles as estimated by the EPA.
• Support for the Tesla Supercharger charging network.
• Body color: the only option is Core Black.
• Delivery dates:
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  • The Signature version will arrive to customers in 2026.
  • The Origin version will not be available until 2027.

The prototype shown at CES is as close to a production car as possible. The exterior is a combination of Tesla and Lucid Air features, with short overhangs and a long wheelbase.

The exterior is a combination of Tesla and Lucid Air features, with short overhangs and a long wheelbase.

Innovation and Technology

Afeela 1 is equipped with advanced technologies:

• A full-width touchpad on the dashboard.
• 40 cameras and sensors for semi-autonomous driving.
• Full drive.
• The ability to integrate Augmented Reality and «virtual worlds» into the driving experience.

At the presentation, Sony Honda Mobility head Yasuhide Mizuno demonstrated the voice control technology by calling the car to the stage with the command “Come on out, Afeela” via a smartphone. However, this is still being treated as a demonstration feature.

Sony Mobility

Context: Market and Competition

The electric vehicle market has changed dramatically since the Sony Vision concept was first demonstrated in 2020. Demand in the U.S. experienced a surge, then a downturn, and has now stabilized. The Biden administration’s policies have encouraged EV buyers, but new incentives could be eliminated in the coming years.

The Biden administration’s policies have encouraged EV buyers, but new incentives could be eliminated in the coming years.

On the global stage, China has emerged as the leader in EV production, prompting Honda to begin merger talks with Nissan to increase competition with Chinese manufacturers.

Now the Afeela, with its modern sedan design and abundance of sensor technology, is poised to take its place among premium electric vehicles.

The Afeela, with its modern sedan design and abundance of sensor technology, is poised to take its place among premium electric vehicles.

Future Plans

Sony Honda Mobility plans to hold another press conference to talk about the process of buying and owning the Afeela 1.