Sony, Honda Debut Afeela Prototype SUV in Las Vegas
Three years after the original concept debut at CES in Las Vegas, Sony and Honda returned to the world’s largest tech expo this week to present the latest version of their Afeela 1 electric sedan, with deliveries starting in California in late 2026 and Arizona in 2027.
The major new development from this joint venture called Sony Honda Mobility (SHM), however, is an SUV prototype that doesn't yet have a name but aims to hit the market starting in 2028, initially in the U.S. only. Production will take place in a state-of-the-art Honda factory in Ohio.
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The Afeela Prototype is just a design study for now as the company hasn't provided any technical details or specifications. For the record, the Afeela 1 is known to have a 91kWh battery offering a range of approximately 480 km and a native NACS port enabling direct access to Tesla Superchargers. It features two 241-horsepower motors, all-wheel drive and an air suspension.
Despite its aerodynamic, coupe-like silhouette, this utility vehicle naturally promises better access, more space and greater versatility than the car on which it is based. The idea is to attract a larger number of customers.
The technologies will be the same as those used in the Afeela 1, with the goal of transforming the vehicle into an AI-powered "creative entertainment space," as SHM calls it. Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving will be possible initially, and eventually Level 4 so that occupants will no longer have to worry about the road (although a steering wheel and pedals will still be used).
The in-car experience is enhanced with the Afeela Personal Agent, an interactive conversational AI that leverages Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to “deliver highly personalized, natural dialogue experiences tailored to individual users.”
What’s more, through the “Afeela Co-Creation Program,” SHM collaborates with creators and developers to expand the possibilities of mobility by providing access to information necessary for developing in-vehicle entertainment, including in-car themes and apps. The company is also building cloud APIs and the development environment for Android applications on IVI (in-vehicle infotainment).
What will the SUV’s prices be like? Well, as a reminder, the Afeela 1 sedan is available in two trim levels—Origin starting at $89,900 and Signature starting at $102,900 (USD). There are no plans to launch the vehicles in Canada at this time.
