Roughly two years after the Afeela 1 sedan reaches the market, the Sony-Honda joint venture is set to introduce a more versatile and family-friendly SUV.
Coinciding with this week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) has revealed a new concept vehicle under its Afeela brand.
While the Afeela 1 electric sedan entered pre-production back in August, this newly unveiled Afeela Prototype 2026, its working name for now, takes the shape of a coupe-like crossover.
Its visual connection to the Afeela 1 sedan is immediately apparent, but the prototype’s taller stance and larger proportions are expected to resonate more strongly with American buyers than the sedan that will arrive first.
SHM has kept specific technical details about the crossover-style prototype largely under wraps, but it has confirmed that a production version is slated to arrive in the United States as early as 2028.
This timeline places its launch roughly two years after the production Afeela 1 sedan, which is scheduled to begin deliveries later this year.
Design-wise, the prototype adopts the same minimalist front-end treatment seen on the Afeela 1, highlighted by a full-width light bar and flush-mounted headlights stretching across the fascia.
There are no artificial or decorative grilles interrupting the clean design. Compared to the sedan, the crossover clearly offers increased ground clearance and features a two-tone exterior finish with a contrasting black roof.
The Afeela 1 is expected to be outfitted with a total of 40 sensors, including one LiDAR unit, 18 cameras, and nine radar sensors.
The crossover prototype prominently displays a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor, strongly suggesting that it will support a similar suite of advanced driver-assistance and autonomous capabilities. SHM’s long-term goal is to achieve Level 4 self-driving functionality through its Afeela Intelligent Drive system.
According to Afeela, the new prototype delivers “greater spatial flexibility and accessibility,” which points to increased cargo capacity and more accommodating seating compared to the sedan.
The Afeela 1 sedan carries a confirmed starting price of $89,900, firmly placing it in the upper tier of the electric vehicle market. The forthcoming crossover is expected to command an even higher price, and once optional features are added, it could easily cross into six-figure territory.
The Afeela 1 utilizes dual electric motors producing 241 horsepower each, paired with an air-spring suspension, all-wheel drive, and an estimated driving range of around 300 miles.
While strong acceleration is expected, it’s no longer a defining differentiator in today’s EV landscape. When it reaches production, the crossover prototype is anticipated to match or exceed the sedan’s power output.
True to Sony’s involvement, the Afeela 1 will be the first vehicle to offer native PS Remote Play integration, allowing PlayStation users to access and play their favorite games directly through the car’s infotainment system.
This feature is also expected to carry over to the SUV, further reinforcing the Afeela brand’s focus on blending premium mobility with cutting-edge digital entertainment.
