Sony Honda Mobility Introduces 2026 Afeela 1 at CES

Sony and Honda’s much-anticipated Afeela 1 electric sedan just debuted at CES 2025.

It looks to compete in the high-tech EV space alongside offerings from Tesla and Lucid, however, early impressions suggest the Afeela 1 struggles to match its rivals on key metrics, despite its ambitious price tag and Sony’s pedigree in technology and entertainment.

The Afeela 1 will launch in California first, with deliveries of the flagship Signature model beginning in mid-2026, followed later by the base Origin trim.

Starting at $89,900 for the base model and climbing to $102,900 for the flagship Signature trim, the Afeela 1 is priced squarely against the Lucid Air and Tesla Model S. While it promises luxury features such as a panoramic dashboard screen, spatial audio, and power-operated doors, the Afeela 1's performance and range specs could seem underwhelming to some considering its price bucket.

The base Afeela 1 carries a dual-motor powertrain with 483 horsepower and is fed by a 91 kWh battery pack, delivering an estimated 300 miles of range. In contrast, the similarly priced Lucid Air Touring, offers 406 miles of range, 620 horsepower, and superior charging speeds. Then there's the Model S with its 400 miles of range and 670 horsepower available at starting price less than the Afeela. Don't bother comparing it to the Model S Plaid—it's not fair.

The Afeela 1 supports DC fast charging at a peak rate of 150 kW. For comparison, the Lucid Air can charge at over 300 kW, significantly reducing downtime during long trips. Even the Model S has offered 250 kW charging capability since 2020. The Afeela 1 will also support access to Tesla’s Supercharging network.

The advanced Afeela Intelligent Drive system will use a suite of cameras, radars, 40 ultrasonic sensors, and LiDAR, though the specifics of its autonomous capabilities remain under wraps.

With a starting price near six figures and mid-tier performance specs, the Afeela 1 may appeal to a niche audience drawn to its brand and technology, but it faces an uphill battle to stand out in a crowded luxury EV market. Reservations for the Afeela EV are now open, with California customers able to secure a spot in line for a refundable $200 deposit.

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