For decades, we’ve judged cars by their “mechanical soul”—the roar of the engine, the shift of the gears, and the feedback through the steering rack. But as we stand here in February 2026, the definition of a “driver’s car” is undergoing a radical, digital-first lobotomy.
Enter the Afeela.
Born from the unlikely marriage of Sony (the kings of entertainment) and Honda (the masters of engineering), the Afeela 1 isn’t just a new electric vehicle; it’s the world’s first “PlayStation on Wheels.” At EV Evolution, we’ve been tracking this project since its first whisper at CES years ago. Now, with the first production units of the Afeela 1 sedan hitting California roads this year and the Afeela Prototype 2026 SUV recently breaking cover in Las Vegas, the vision is finally clear.
This is the ultimate “Sophisticated Tech Flex.” It’s a vehicle designed for a generation that values frame rates as much as torque figures.
1. The Sony DNA: Immersive Entertainment 2.0
Let’s address the elephant in the cabin: PlayStation Remote Play. In a world-first, Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) has natively integrated the PlayStation ecosystem into the Afeela’s infotainment suite. This isn’t just a “tablet on a dash” hack. We’re talking about a software-defined environment where you can stream your PS5 library directly to the car’s massive panoramic dashboard or the dual rear-seat screens.
- The Experience: Imagine you’re at a DC fast charger in Goulburn. Instead of scrolling through your phone, you pair your DualSense controller natively to the car via Bluetooth. The 45-speaker 360 Spatial Audio system kicks in, and suddenly, you aren’t in a car; you’re inside the world of Gran Turismo or Spider-Man.
- The Tech: It’s powered by Unreal Engine 5.3, the same graphics engine behind the world’s most stunning video games. This allows the car to render 3D maps, weather effects, and UI transitions with a fluidity that makes current luxury infotainment systems look like 1990s Teletext.
2. The Hardware: Honda’s Engineering Meets Sony’s Sensors
While Sony handles the “brain,” Honda handles the “bones.” The Afeela 1 is a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive beast producing roughly 360kW (483hp).
- The Stats: It’s equipped with a 91kWh battery and targets a real-world range of approximately 480km.
- The Sensor Suite: This is where the “Sophisticated Flex” turns into a “Security Flex.” The Afeela is draped in 45 cameras and sensors, including a roof-mounted LiDAR. This isn’t just for parking; it’s driven by an 800 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second) AI processor from Qualcomm.
In 2026, we’ve seen plenty of “smart” cars, but the Afeela is designed to be Software-Defined. It’s built to evolve. Through OTA (Over-the-Air) updates, the car’s Level 2+ and geofenced Level 3 autonomous capabilities will theoretically get smarter while you sleep, much like a console firmware update.
3. The Australian Context: The “Afeela Australia Release” Reality
Now, for the “Reality Check.” If you’re looking for a local Afeela Australia release date, you’ll need to exercise some gamer-level patience.
As of early 2026, SHM is focusing its initial production run on the US and Japanese markets. However, the international chatter is loud. Based on the US starting price of US$89,900, we expect the Afeela 1 to land in Australia (likely via a 2028-2029 expansion) with a price tag north of AU$150,000.
- The Market Gap: This puts it squarely in the sights of the Lucid Air, Tesla Model S, and BMW i5. But those brands are selling “cars that have tech.” Afeela is selling “tech that happens to be a car.”
4. The “Sophisticated Tech Flex” Persona
Why would an Aussie enthusiast choose an Afeela over a legacy powerhouse like a Porsche Taycan? It comes down to a shift in persona. We call it the Sophisticated Tech Flex.
The Afeela owner isn’t interested in Nürburgring lap times. They are interested in Digital Seamlessness. They want a car that knows their Spotify mood, syncs with their smart home, and offers a cabin experience that feels more like a Tokyo gaming lounge than a traditional cockpit.
The exterior design—a “Media Bar” on the nose that can display charging status, weather, or custom greetings—is a subtle but powerful signal to the world: “I’m living in 2030 while you’re stuck in 2024.”
5. Strategy Check: Should You Wait?
If your heart is set on the “PlayStation Car,” our EV Strategic Co-Pilot advice is to look at the Honda Series 0 models launching globally later this year. These vehicles will inherit much of the “Afeela-lite” software and sensor technology developed by the Sony-Honda joint venture, likely at a more “Aussie-accessible” price point.
However, if you want the full, unadulterated “Sony Experience,” the Afeela is the only game in town. It represents the moment the automotive industry officially became a branch of the electronics industry.
The Final Word: More Than Just a Game
The Afeela 1 is a polarizing machine. Traditionalists will scoff at the yoke steering and the “distraction” of in-car gaming. But for the young Aussie family who spends hours at chargers on regional trips, or the professional who treats their car as a mobile office/sanctuary, the Afeela is a revelation.
It’s not just your next car; it’s your next living room.
Talk EV Evolution AI agent
“Hey, will my PS5 library actually work in the Afeela?” Our AI Strategy Agent has the latest developer documentation from Sony Honda Mobility. Ask it about PS Remote Play requirements or the 800V vs 400V charging trade-offs for the Afeela 1 to see how it stacks up against the 2026 competition.
About EV Evolution
EV Evolution is Australia’s authoritative strategic platform for electric vehicle market, dedicated to providing a high-fidelity knowledge base for the next generation of drivers. In a year defined by the Federal statutory review of FBT exemptions and the rapid arrival of record-breaking affordable models, we serve as your professional co-pilot to ensure every automotive decision is data-driven and future-proof. Our EV Strategy Suite—including the EV Tax Savings Estimator, Vibe Check Tool, and 24/7 AI Strategy Agent—empowers young professionals and families to navigate complex technical and regulatory shifts with total transparency. At EV Evolution, we don’t just track the market, we provide the strategic roadmap for your transition to the new electric standard
