Afeela Expands Beyond Sedans With a New Electric SUV
At Consumer Electronics Show 2026, Sony and Honda returned to the spotlight with a surprise reveal: a new Afeela electric SUV prototype, previewing the brand’s second production model.
The joint venture, officially known as Sony Honda Mobility, introduced the Afeela brand only a few years ago. While most attention has focused on the upcoming Afeela 1 sedan, CES 2026 confirmed that the company is doubling down on SUVs, with US sales planned from 2028.
The reveal itself was brief — the vehicle appeared on stage only momentarily — but it was enough to signal Afeela’s broader ambitions.
Familiar Design: Clean, Minimal, and Very Honda-Like
Visually, the Afeela Prototype 2026 SUV stays close to the design language established by the Afeela 1 sedan.
Key exterior traits include:
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Smooth, minimalist body surfaces
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A coupe-like roofline sloping toward the rear
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Minimal character lines and restrained detailing
Some will call the design clean and futuristic, others may see it as too conservative in a market full of bold electric SUVs. The resemblance to modern Honda models is unmistakable, suggesting a focus on function and usability over visual drama. While this approach may appeal to buyers seeking understated design, it could make the Afeela SUV hard to distinguish in crowded EV parking lots.
More Space Inside: Built for the US Market
During the presentation, Yasuhide Mizuno, CEO of Sony Honda Mobility, avoided deep technical discussion. However, he confirmed one key detail:
The SUV offers more interior space than the Afeela 1 sedan.
That alone explains why this model is clearly targeted at the United States, where buyers favor larger vehicles with flexible cargo capacity. Families, road trips, and long-distance comfort appear to be core use cases.
Interior: Screens First, Cars Second?
True to Sony’s DNA, the interior is expected to be screen-dominated.
Even with limited images shown, several elements stood out:
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A full-width dashboard display
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Rear-seat entertainment screens
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Built-in PlayStation 5 integration
Sony’s vision is clear: turn the electric car into a rolling entertainment platform. This strategy aligns with autonomous driving ambitions but raises an open question — do buyers really want more screens, or better driving experiences?
Powertrain and Performance: Competitive, Not Class-Leading
While not officially confirmed, the Afeela SUV is expected to use the same electric drivetrain as the Afeela 1 sedan.
Expected Technical Specifications
| Specification | Afeela SUV Prototype (Expected) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Dual-motor AWD |
| Power output | 298 kW (~400 hp) |
| Battery capacity | 91 kWh |
| Estimated range | ~480 km (WLTP est.) |
| DC fast charging | Up to 150 kW |
| Charging port | NACS (Tesla-style) |
These numbers are perfectly respectable, but they do not push boundaries. In 2026–2028, many rivals already exceed these benchmarks in range and charging speed.
Sensors, Autonomy, and the Cost of Ambition
Autonomous driving and safety are at the core of Afeela’s identity.
The SUV prototype reportedly integrates 40 sensors for full 360-degree perception:
Sensor Suite Breakdown
| Sensor Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cameras | 18 |
| Ultrasonic sensors | 12 |
| mmWave radars | 9 |
| LiDAR | 1 |
This hardware setup is designed to enable Level 3 automated driving, placing Afeela among the most sensor-heavy EVs on the market.
However, such complexity adds high cost, weight, and software challenges — all of which must be justified to buyers.
Pricing Reality: A Premium Gamble
Pricing is where Afeela faces its biggest challenge.
Current Afeela 1 Sedan Pricing (USA)
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Afeela 1 (base) | $89,900 |
| Afeela 1 Signature | $102,900 |
For that premium, buyers receive:
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Rear-seat screens
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Expanded infotainment features
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A choice of three exterior colors (yes, only three)
The upcoming SUV is expected to be even more expensive, placing it firmly against established luxury EV brands like Lucid — and possibly premium BMW, Mercedes, and Tesla models.
Big Tech Meets Big Risk
Sony and Honda are betting that:
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Advanced autonomy
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Heavy sensor hardware
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Deep entertainment integration
will justify six-figure pricing in an already crowded premium EV segment.
It’s a bold strategy — but also a risky one.
Final Verdict: Ambitious, Polished, and Still Unproven
The Afeela electric SUV prototype shows that Sony and Honda are serious about building a full EV lineup — not just a tech demo on wheels.
However, with:
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Conservative design
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Average charging performance
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Extremely high pricing
Afeela still needs to prove why buyers should choose it over more established luxury EV brands.
CES 2026 made one thing clear:
Afeela is no longer an experiment — but success will depend on whether tech-first thinking translates into real-world desirability.
