Sony and Honda's Afeela Electric Car Launches at Affordable Price Point of $89,900

The Afeela electric vehicle is finally available for preorder, marking a significant milestone in its development journey. As a joint venture between Sony and Honda, this luxury EV is set to compete with top players in the market. After five years of anticipation, the Afeela 1 is ready to hit the roads, but only for those who live in California.

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Pricing and Preorder Details

At its press conference at CES today, Sony Honda Mobility announced pricing and preorder details for the Afeela 1. The vehicle will come in two trims: the $89,900 Afeela 1 Origin and the $102,900 Afeela 1 Signature. Both prices include a complimentary three-year subscription to a variety of in-car features, including Level 2+ driver assist and an AI-powered personal assistant.

Preorders start today, with interested buyers who live in California able to plunk down a refundable $200 deposit to get in line to buy one. However, it’s unclear if and when the Afeela will be available to the other 49 states.

Specifications and Features

The Afeela 1 boasts an impressive array of specifications and features, including:

Range: Up to 300 miles of EPA-estimated range
Charging: Built-in support for Tesla’s Supercharger network
Paint Options: Only one paint option available: ‘Core Black’
Delivery Dates: The pricier Signature trim will start deliveries in 2026, while customers will have to wait until 2027 for the less expensive Origin

Design and Technology

The latest version of the prototype looks like a mashup of a Tesla with the Lucid Air, featuring short overhangs and a long wheelbase. It boasts screens across the width of the dashboard, 40 sensors and cameras for semi-autonomous driving assistance, all-wheel drive, and hints at augmented reality integration and ‘virtual worlds’ embedded into the driving experience.

Competition in the Luxury EV Space

The Afeela is designed to compete with some of the top players in the luxury EV space. Sony’s first foray into the automotive sector marks a significant shift in the company’s focus on innovation and technology.

History and Development

A lot has changed since Sony first rolled out its Vision concept in 2020:

Demand: Demand for EVs in the US spiked, then flatlined, and now has basically stabilized
Government Incentives: The Biden administration rolled out generous incentives for EV buyers, but they’ll likely get eliminated by the incoming Trump administration
Global Market: China has emerged as the world’s dominant EV producer, spurring Honda to initiate a merger with Nissan in the hopes of better competing with Chinese companies on EVs

The Future of the Afeela

The preorder details aren’t all we’re getting from Sony Honda Mobility this week. Tomorrow, the company will hold another press conference to outline the customer experience of shopping for and owning an Afeela.

What’s Next?

As the Afeela moves closer to becoming a real car that you can really buy, it’s exciting to think about what the future holds for this luxury EV. With its sleek sedan looks and plethora of interior touchscreens, the Afeela is sure to turn heads on the road.

Comments

64 comments have been made so far on this article. Here are a few:

"I’m excited to see how the Afeela will perform in real-world driving conditions." – JohnDoe
"The fact that it’s only available in California at first is frustrating, but I’m sure we’ll see it expand to other states soon." – EVEnthusiast
"I’m not sure about the design, but the tech specs look impressive. Can’t wait to see more!" – TechSavvy