Sony Afeela 1 Is A Car So Smart, It Probably Thinks I'm an Idiot
Image Credit: Sony Honda Mobility.
Sony has decided that making top-notch TVs and PlayStations isn't enough anymore. They're now venturing into the wild world of electric cars with their latest creation, the Afeela 1. And this thing is packed with more tech than a spaceship. I'm not sure I'm even qualified to write about it. Heck, who needs qualifications when you've got sarcasm?
Before we look into the technical bits, let's talk about the most controversial bit: the price. The Afeela starts at $89,900. And that's an entry-level model, ok? You could buy a decent house for that kind of money, though that wouldn't be anywhere near the US. But who needs a house when you can have a car that can practically drive itself? Of course, that's assuming you're willing to shell out for the "Intelligent Drive" subscription, which is "free" for the first three years. Yes, Sony is diving head-first into the subscription business model with its first EV. Because, you know, what's a hundred grand without a few extra subscription fees?
But I digress. Let's talk about what you actually get for your hard-earned cash. The Afeela 1 boasts a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain that delivers a respectable 482 hp. That's enough to get you from 0 to 60 mph in a time that won't embarrass you too much, but it's not exactly going to set the world on fire either. The 91 kWh battery promises a range of 300 miles, which is decent enough, and it's compatible with Tesla's Supercharger network. So at least you won't have to worry about finding a charging station in the middle of nowhere.
But the real selling point of this car is the technology. Sony has crammed this thing with more sensors and cameras than a spy satellite. It's got LIDAR, radar, ultrasonic sensors, you name it. All this tech wizardry enables Level 2+ ADAS features, which means the car can pretty much drive itself in certain situations. It can even park itself, which is great news for those of us who still haven't mastered the art of parallel parking.
And if that's not enough to impress you, the Afeela 1 also comes with a dashboard-length screen that's basically a giant tablet. You can use it to view maps, stream entertainment channels, and even talk to an AI-powered personal assistant. I'm not sure why you'd want to talk to your car, but that's just me.
As you can expect from Sony, the sound system will be on another level. It's designed for surround sound, Sony's 360 Reality Audio, and Dolby Atmos. So you can basically turn your car into a rolling concert hall. Just try not to get too carried away while you're driving. Not sure how would the AI react if it was in charge of your car, and it saw you headbanging to your favorite tunes.
All this sounds pretty amazing - apart from the price - so there's gotta be a catch, right? Well, apart from the aforementioned subscription fees, there are a few other things to keep in mind. First of all, the Afeela 1 is only available to pre-order in California right now. So if you live anywhere else, you're out of luck. Secondly, even if you do live in California, you're still going to have to wait a while to get your hands on one. The higher-end $102,900 Signature version won't ship until mid-2026, and the cheaper Origin version won't be available until 2027.
Image Credit: Sony Honda Mobility.
So, the big question: Is the Sony Afeela 1 worth the wait? That depends on what you're looking for in a car. If you're looking for a high-performance speed demon, you might want to look at Tesla or Lucid. But if you're looking for a tech-laden luxury car that can practically drive itself, then you should look at… Tesla or Lucid. The funny thing is that Sony chose Las Vegas to unveil its first-ever EV - one heck of a gamble this one.
The Afeela 1 is for a specific customer who refuses to give money to Tesla for any reason - and there are plenty of good ones. Someone who doesn't want to pay any of the established auto brands for their expertise. Afeela 1 is for someone who likes the dangers of putting their money into brave new ventures, someone who already has a Fisker Ocean acting as an exotic ornament in their garden. That someone doesn't mind paying a premium for all that technology. And those pesky subscription fees. Me? I'll wait until Sony can work out how to make a decent flying car. Then we'll talk.
