At CES 2026, Sony Honda Mobility's newest Afeela 1 nonetheless feels woefully outdated

It has been six years since Sony first rolled out its prototype automobile at CES 2020. It was known as the  Imaginative and prescient-S again then, and I keep in mind everybody endlessly debating simply how severe the patron electronics powerhouse was about making a automobile. Over the next half-decade, Sony has confirmed it isn’t solely severe, however completely hell-bent on making this factor a actuality.

At CES 2026, we’re nonetheless in some way about 12 months away from that automobile hitting the roads. Now known as the Afeela 1, as an alternative of being constructed by Sony correct it should come from the three way partnership Sony Honda Mobility. It should begin at $89,900, supply round 300 miles of vary, and put on an exterior design so sedate that even the 31.5-inch-wide “Media Bar” micro-LED built-in into the nostril barely makes an affect.

With the Afeela up on stage once more this 12 months, what’s new in 2026? I am contemporary from getting a more in-depth have a look at the sedan right here in Las Vegas and, sadly, there’s little extra to see than what so underwhelmed me final 12 months. From the surface, 2026’s Afeela seems to be nigh equivalent to 2025’s, save for one change: I am glad to report that the unlucky seam working down the center of final 12 months’s nose-mounted Media Bar has been mounted. It now seems to be a single, contiguous panel.

On the within, the inside appears to have the next diploma of match and end than final 12 months’s. To get in, you both push on a bit button hidden within the trim or pull out the smartphone app and request that the door open mechanically. There are not any door latches as such, one thing that may elevate just a few eyebrows given Tesla’s present door deal with woes. (I used to be informed there are bodily door releases hidden under the automobile on the surface, and low within the door card on the within.)

The door closes mechanically when you’re inside, immediately hushing the manic drone of the group on the always-packed CES ground. This creates a fantastic soundscape for the whopping 28 audio system Sony is deploying right here. The automobile’s inside form was truly designed to optimize the position of these audio system, and the few moments of music I heard had been spectacular.

There’s Dolby Atmos help, so you possibly can take full benefit of the spatial audio options within the cockpit. You may even toggle the sound on or off for particular person seats, maybe serving to a bit one keep asleep within the again seat — or just sparing your youngsters from the depths of your responsible pleasure playlist.

Probably the most noticeable characteristic contained in the automobile, although, is the sweeping show that runs throughout the dashboard. There is a 12.3-inch LCD gauge cluster on the left conjoined with a 28.5-inch show that goes all the best way to the correct. Sony’s infotainment software program successfully splits that rightmost panel in two, enabling you or the passenger to pull apps left or proper as wanted.

Media or different distracting apps working on the passenger’s facet of the show will set off an built-in privateness defend, blacking it out guaranteeing minimal distraction for the driving force. However Sony continues to be pushing the envelope a bit right here in just a few different areas. You may dial into Zoom conferences from the driving force’s seat, for instance, and whereas the Afeela 1 will not be the primary automobile to do that (Mercedes-Benz included the service within the automobile in its 2024 E-Class), Sony will truly let the driving force take part within the video whereas driving. This appears a bit pointless to me.

Zoom makes use of the ceiling-mounted digicam, considered one of 40 sensors in and across the Afeela 1. That features the pods for a LiDAR sensor and extra cameras protruding slightly conspicuously from the roof. These sensors will present Stage 2+ driver help at launch. Over time, Sony guarantees to improve the automobile to Stage 4, which means that you simply, the driving force, may theoretically take a nap behind the wheel. The automobile actually seems to be to have sufficient sensors and processing energy to make that work, however as we noticed with Tesla’s Full Self Driving, these kinds of automotive upgrades generally tend to take longer than anticipated.

A few of that digital processing energy comes courtesy of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis, which additionally powers the infotainment expertise. The software program that runs the dashboard and rear seat expertise appeared way more complete than earlier than. That features a useful AI voice assistant offering superior routing steerage, like telling you which of them of the dozen taquerias in your route has the very best guac.

Personalization is a giant a part of the gross sales pitch right here, with downloadable packages altering every little thing from the automobile’s ambient lights to the gauge cluster, engine sound, and even no matter’s displayed on the nose-mounted show.

The concept right here is to present you an emotional reference to the automobile — regardless of its decidedly impassive exterior design.

“Our model, Afeela, is constructed on a imaginative and prescient to redefine the connection between individuals and mobility,” Izumi Kawanishi, Sony Honda Mobility’s president and COO, stated. “Being in a automobile will now not be about driving. Will probably be about taking advantage of your time and area when you transfer.”

I bought to pattern plenty of these customizations on the present, together with a very cool one which replicated the dashboard of Honda’s first-ever Grand Prix-winning machine, 1965’s RA272. The Afeela even picked up the raspy sound of its 1.5-liter V12.

The pre-production automobile on the Afeela stage had a few dozen such experiences put in, however the plan is for a lot of, many extra. Sony Honda Mobility will launch what it is calling the Afeela Co-Creation Program, a set of software program developer instruments and interfaces enabling third-party builders to not solely create their very own customizations, however to promote them.

Sure, alternate income streams are a giant a part of the equation right here, together with premium audio and video purchases, however Sony seemingly is not factoring that in to assist make the Afeela 1 extra reasonably priced. Once more, you are $89,900 to start out, a value that hasn’t modified from final 12 months.

The truth is, the largest change to the Afeela 1 since CES 2025’s exhibiting is a delay. The sedan now is not hitting the highway till the very finish of 2026, with first, restricted deliveries occurring in California. Arizona is subsequent in 2027, however it could possibly be years extra earlier than it is obtainable anyplace else on the planet.

Do not name it vaporware, although, as a result of it’s coming. Trial manufacturing work is already occurring at Honda’s plant in Ohio. The truth is, the Afeela 1 you see right here is an early, pre-production machine assembled there.

However simply because it may occur doesn’t suggest that will probably be a compelling product. An EV that prices $20,000 greater than a more-powerful, longer-range Lucid Air Touring is a troublesome proposition right this moment, by no means thoughts 2027 or later, when the Afeela 1 will lastly grow to be available.

With sedans more and more on the outs within the American market, an SUV form would make extra sense. Sony confirmed that one is coming by rolling out the Afeela 2026 Prototype, however regardless of its identify, it is not coming till 2028 on the earliest.

As a lot as I respect Sony’s cussed dedication to this venture, the numbers are simply not figuring out within the Afeela 1’s favor. I requested Sony Honda Mobility America president and CEO Shugo Yamaguchi what would make the automobile stand out in an EV phase that is more and more crowded with high quality machines, many obtainable for tens of 1000’s much less.

“We do have that LiDAR, which is dear, and introduces extra security. We’ve higher leisure, wonderful shows and 800 TOPS of processing energy. So, we imagine that by our functions and our growth, we’re going to greater than make our prospects glad,” he stated.

Will prospects pay extra for a luxurious and security expertise topped off by an costly sensor that probably will not be absolutely utilized for years to come back? After making the same pitch in its 2025 EX90, Volvo has determined to delete LiDAR from the 2026 mannequin. I can not say I am extra bullish right here.

The Afeela 1 was an audacious product when it was introduced at CES 2020, however with every subsequent 12 months it feels increasingly more out of contact. It’s going to undoubtedly be the last word expression of name loyalty for the true PlayStation followers on the market. However with even established luxurious manufacturers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz shifting their focus to extra reasonably priced EVs like the brand new CLA, a $90,000 sedan with specs that sounded good in 2020 makes it awfully arduous to remain excited for this PlayStation on wheels.