Afeela, the joint electric vehicle venture between Sony and Honda, unveiled a pre-production version of its upcoming SUV at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The still-unnamed SUV is set for a 2028 U.S. launch. It’ll offer more height and interior space than the Afeela 1 sedan that arrives later this year.
Both vehicles share key design elements – wrap-around light bars front and rear, sloped rooflines, and minimalist styling. They’ll also roll off the same production line at Honda’s East Liberty, Ohio facility.
The SUV maintains the same overall footprint as its sedan counterpart.
Size and Competition
At just under five meters long and slightly over three meters wide, the Afeela SUV targets competitors like the Lucid Gravity and Rivian R1S in the American market.
If Sony and Honda expand Afeela to Europe, it’d face off against the BMW iX, Volvo EX90, and the upcoming Audi Q9.
Expected Performance
Afeela hasn’t released technical specifications for the SUV yet. The vehicle is expected to use the same platform as the Afeela 1 sedan.
That means a 482 horsepower twin-motor setup paired with a 91kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Range should hit around 300 miles, with DC fast charging speeds up to 150kW.
Honda handles the engineering and manufacturing side of the partnership. Sony brings its expertise in technology and user experience.
Both Afeela models will feature a robotics-based system that adjusts ride height automatically. Level 2+ autonomous driving capabilities are standard.
Tech Features
The SUV will include Afeela’s customizable user interface and the unique ‘Media Bar’ positioned between the headlights.
This LED display can show messages to other drivers and pedestrians. It can also indicate the vehicle’s charge level when parked.
PS Remote Play integration lets users access their PlayStation 4 or PS5 consoles from the car – a feature that’ll appeal to gaming enthusiasts.
Pricing Expectations
Afeela hasn’t announced pricing for its SUV yet.
The Afeela 1 sedan starts at $102,900 when it launches later this year. A more affordable $89,900 version follows in 2027.
Given the SUV’s larger dimensions and likely premium positioning, expect it to carry a higher price tag than the sedan when it arrives in 2028.
