Sony Honda Afeela CES 2026: Complete Guide to Watch the Presentation Live

In just days, one of the automotive world's most talked-about joint ventures is about to pull back the curtain on its latest innovations. Sony Honda Mobility, the groundbreaking partnership between two tech giants, will showcase the evolution of the Afeela electric vehicle at CES 2026, and this year's presentation carries significantly more weight than previous iterations. After years of teasing, concept sketches, and incremental updates, the company is ready to unveil not just an updated Afeela 1, but an entirely new concept model that hints at where the brand intends to take the EV market.

For anyone tracking the electric vehicle landscape, this matters. Sony's involvement fundamentally changes how we think about car design and technology integration. Honda's engineering pedigree provides the manufacturing backbone. Together, they're positioned to disrupt a market saturated with traditional automakers reluctantly entering the EV space. The Afeela 1 isn't just another electric sedan—it represents a philosophical approach to vehicle design where entertainment, connectivity, and autonomous capability take center stage alongside powertrain performance.

But here's what makes the CES 2026 event particularly significant: this presentation marks an inflection point. Previous CES showcases featured variations of the same design language and technical specifications. This year, Sony Honda Mobility is signaling that the design philosophy itself has evolved. The new concept model will demonstrate where the brand sees the future heading, offering a window into vehicles that may reach production in the latter half of this decade.

The timing is critical too. The electric vehicle market has shifted dramatically since the Afeela 1 was first announced in 2020 under the Vision-S designation. Consumers now understand EV basics—range, charging infrastructure, battery longevity. What they want now is differentiation. They want vehicles that feel like products designed for 2026, not concepts from 2020. Sony Honda's presentation will address whether they've actually listened to this feedback and incorporated it into their upcoming models.

If you're considering watching this event, you're likely wondering what to expect and how to access the stream. This guide covers everything you need to know about the CES 2026 Sony Honda Afeela presentation, from how to watch in real-time to what the announcements might mean for the future of electric vehicles.

TL; DR

• Live Stream Details: Sony Honda Mobility's CES 2026 press conference airs Monday, January 5, 2026 at 8PM ET via the official Afeela YouTube channel
• What's Being Shown: Updated Afeela 1 pre-production vehicles in multiple color variations plus an entirely new concept model making its debut
• Key Feature: Afeela becomes the first vehicle offering PlayStation Remote Play, enabling in-car streaming of PS4/PS5 games
• Pricing Context: The Afeela 1 starts at $89,900, positioning it as a luxury EV competing with high-end competitors
• Bottom Line: This presentation represents a major design evolution for Sony Honda Mobility, with implications for how tech companies approach vehicle development

The Afeela 1 starts at

How to Watch the Sony Honda Afeela CES 2026 Press Conference Live

The logistics of watching Sony Honda Mobility's presentation are straightforward, though understanding the broader context helps explain why this event matters beyond automotive enthusiasts. The company has made the decision to stream the entire presentation live, democratizing access rather than restricting it to press attendees or industry professionals.

The presentation will broadcast live from Las Vegas on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 8PM ET. This timing slots the presentation during the traditional "end of press day" window at CES, a coveted slot that signals importance and guarantees media coverage and analyst attention. The stream will be available on the Afeela official YouTube channel, which Sony has maintained throughout the Afeela program's lifecycle.

To watch, you'll simply navigate to the Afeela YouTube channel when the stream goes live. No registration required, no paywall, no geographic restrictions. This approach reflects Sony's understanding that EVs increasingly compete for consumer attention in a crowded market. The more people who see the presentation, the more organic conversation gets generated across social media, forums, and tech journalism.

For those who can't watch at exactly 8PM ET, YouTube will archive the entire presentation immediately after it concludes. This means you can watch on your schedule—during lunch the next day, over the weekend, whenever works for your timezone. Full-length presentations from CES typically remain available indefinitely on official channels, making this accessible long-term content.

One detail worth noting: if you want to follow real-time discussion and reactions as the presentation happens, having a second device open for Twitter or Reddit creates a multi-screen experience that amplifies the event. Major tech journalists and automotive analysts will be live-tweeting observations, corrections, and analyses as Sony Honda Mobility makes announcements.

The Afeela 1 offers strong technology integration but lags in brand prestige and range compared to established luxury EVs. Estimated data.

The Evolution of the Afeela: From Vision-S to 2026 Refresh

Understanding what Sony Honda Mobility will show requires understanding where they've been. The Afeela's history is actually the history of Sony's EV ambitions, which go back further than most people realize.

In January 2020, Sony shocked everyone by announcing the Vision-S at CES. Not as a production vehicle, but as a technology demonstration platform. The message was clear: Sony possessed the vision, design, and technological capability to build an electric vehicle from first principles. The Vision-S featured a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette with an insanely long wheelbase relative to its overall length—a design choice enabled by electric architecture where there's no massive internal combustion engine dominating the front section.

But announcement and execution separated by years. Throughout the early 2020s, Sony continued refining the Vision-S design, gradually morphing it into what would become the Afeela 1. The name change itself signals the shift from concept to near-production reality. "Afeela" carries phonetic echoes of "Feel" and "Enhance"—suggesting Sony's focus on sensory experience and emotional connection to technology.

By CES 2025, significant technical details had been confirmed. The Afeela 1 would start at $89,900 base price, position it firmly in the luxury electric sedan segment alongside competitors like the BMW i7, Mercedes EQE, and Porsche Taycan. This pricing reflects not just the vehicle's technical sophistication, but also its positioning as a lifestyle product targeted toward tech-savvy consumers who value integrated entertainment and connectivity.

However, reception of previous Afeela 1 reveals has been decidedly mixed. Automotive journalists and industry analysts have noted that while the Afeela 1's technical specifications sound sophisticated, the overall package feels somewhat dated—like technology designed five years ago being introduced now. The exterior styling, while not unattractive, doesn't communicate the innovation contained within. The interior, despite boasting impressive screen real estate and processing power, feels more like a computer lab than a carefully crafted cabin.

This criticism matters because it directly impacts whether Sony Honda can convert pre-orders into actual sales. Luxury EV buyers don't just care about specifications on a PDF—they care about how a vehicle makes them feel when they sit in it, how it communicates its sophistication through design language, how it differentiates itself from competitors in a parking lot.

The 2026 refresh addresses these concerns directly. By showing updated Afeela 1 pre-production vehicles alongside a brand-new concept model, Sony Honda is signaling that they've heard the feedback and evolved the design philosophy. The question remaining is whether the evolution goes far enough to genuinely impress rather than simply update.

What the New Concept Model Signals About Sony Honda's Strategy

The introduction of a new concept model alongside the Afeela 1 refresh is perhaps the most significant announcement coming from this presentation. Concept models aren't throwaway exercises—they represent a manufacturer's vision for the future, their bet on where consumer preferences will move, and their confidence in specific technological directions.

For Sony Honda Mobility, the new concept model accomplishes several strategic goals simultaneously. First, it proves the company isn't a one-model shop. They're not simply refining a single design for the next five years. They're actively exploring multiple vehicle architectures, form factors, and user experience paradigms. This diversity of approach is essential credibility when entering the automotive market.

Second, concept models allow manufacturers to test ideas without committing to production. The concept might feature design elements that eventually trickle down into production vehicles, or technological implementations that weren't quite ready when the design was finalized. It's a way of saying, "This is where we're headed, pending feedback and technological feasibility."

Third, and perhaps most importantly, a new concept model keeps media and consumer attention focused on Sony Honda Mobility throughout 2026. Instead of a single announcement in January creating a six-month news cycle, the company can use the concept reveal as a launching point for ongoing discussion about future vehicles, design philosophy, and innovation direction.

What should we expect from the concept? Without seeing it, we can make educated predictions based on Sony's design language and automotive market trends. Sony's products typically favor minimalist aesthetics combined with premium material quality. The concept will likely feature advanced lighting technology—Sony's lighting divisions have been innovating aggressively in automotive applications. Expect a dashboard that integrates screens less like traditional cars and more like Sony consumer electronics products, where displays feel like they float in the dashboard rather than being bolted in as afterthoughts.

The concept may also explore alternative propulsion options beyond traditional battery electric. Hydrogen fuel cell technology has received renewed attention from several manufacturers, and Sony has strategic interests in fuel cell development. Whether the concept explores this direction remains to be seen.

The Afeela 1 is positioned in the luxury EV market with a base price of $89,900, higher than the Tesla Model S but lower than the BMW i7, indicating a strategic focus on premium branding.

Understanding the Afeela 1's Pricing and Market Positioning

To understand what Sony Honda is actually attempting, the $89,900 base price for the Afeela 1 tells a crucial story about positioning and target market. This price point places the Afeela 1 firmly in luxury EV territory, competing against established premium brands rather than attempting to capture mass-market EV buyers.

At

This strategy contains built-in advantages and disadvantages. The advantage: there's a segment of luxury EV buyers who specifically want alternatives to Tesla. They're attracted to traditional automotive brands or new players with fresh perspectives. They value design heritage and aesthetic coherence. They're willing to pay for perceived quality and exclusivity. For this segment, the Afeela 1 represents an intriguing option.

The disadvantage: at

The CES 2026 presentation will likely include more detailed information about the actual specification packages available at the

Play Station Remote Play: The Differentiator That Changes Everything

Among all the technical specifications and design elements, one announcement cuts through the noise: the Afeela 1 will be the first vehicle ever to offer PlayStation Remote Play. This seemingly small feature actually represents the core of Sony's automotive strategy and worth understanding in detail.

PlayStation Remote Play allows owners of a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console at home to stream their games to other devices—in this case, the Afeela 1's in-vehicle display system. Imagine being parked at a charging station for 45 minutes. Instead of scrolling your phone, you could be playing a full AAA video game with minimal latency, full graphical fidelity, and complete control responsiveness.

The technical implementation builds on the PlayStation Portal, Sony's dedicated remote play device that launched to moderate success. The Portal taught Sony valuable lessons about streaming architecture, compression algorithms, and latency management. Integrating this technology into a vehicle with robust connectivity, powerful computing hardware, and a large display surface made logical sense.

But why does this matter beyond being a nice feature? Because it demonstrates Sony's actual competitive advantage in vehicle design: not manufacturing or propulsion systems, but entertainment integration and the ecosystem thinking required to create seamless experiences across devices. Tesla focused on performance and charging infrastructure. Traditional luxury automakers focused on interior materials and driving dynamics. Sony is focusing on what car owners do besides driving.

This fundamentally shifts how we think about vehicle design. A traditional automaker might view long charging stops as a hassle to minimize through better batteries. Sony views them as an opportunity. They're designing an ecosystem where your vehicle becomes a premium entertainment destination during times you're not driving. This is genuinely novel in automotive contexts.

The implementation isn't trivial. It requires robust in-vehicle computing hardware capable of handling streaming decode efficiently. It requires connectivity that goes beyond typical vehicle infotainment systems—these systems need to handle the bandwidth demands of high-fidelity game streaming. It requires software integration that makes launching Remote Play feel natural, not like you're jumping between incompatible systems.

During the CES 2026 presentation, expect demonstrations of Remote Play running on the Afeela 1's dashboard display. Sony will likely show popular PlayStation 5 games running with minimal visual degradation, proving the technical feasibility of the implementation. They may discuss partnerships with game publishers around optimizing specific titles for remote play scenarios.

Sony's journey from the Vision-S concept in 2020 to the anticipated Afeela 2026 refresh shows a steady progression in their EV ambitions. Estimated data.

The Pre-Production Vehicle Lineup: Multiple Color Variations Signal Production Readiness

The announcement that multiple Afeela 1 pre-production vehicles in different color variations will be on display sends a signal about where the program stands in its development cycle. This isn't a theoretical exercise anymore—these are vehicles built to something approaching production specifications, ready for physical demonstration and press interaction.

Pre-production vehicles typically represent the penultimate stage before actual production begins. They've been engineered to production tolerances, assembled using manufacturing processes that approximate final production, and subjected to extensive testing. When a manufacturer displays multiple pre-production vehicles, they're essentially saying, "These are real cars that work. Production is coming."

The color variation detail is particularly important. Automotive manufacturers don't tooling color variations lightly—each color requires different paint formulations, different quality control procedures, different surface preparation. Showing multiple color variations demonstrates that Sony Honda has already decided on the color palette available to customers and has the manufacturing capability to produce them at scale.

Based on typical luxury EV color palettes, expect the Afeela 1 to be available in classic colors like Pearl White, Metallic Silver, Deep Black, plus likely one or two standout proprietary colors that communicate the brand's tech-forward positioning. Some luxury EV manufacturers offer unconventional colors—BMW's i-Cyan or i-Yellow on electric models, for example. Sony might introduce a proprietary color that becomes visually synonymous with the brand.

The physical display of pre-production vehicles also serves a crucial PR function at CES. Print and video journalists can photograph the vehicles, examine details, test sit the interiors, and evaluate build quality firsthand. This generates more compelling media coverage than a PowerPoint presentation could ever achieve. Multiple color variations ensure visually varied photos suitable for publication across different media outlets.

The Broader Context: Why Sony Honda Mobility Matters in 2026

Understanding the significance of the CES 2026 presentation requires stepping back and considering Sony Honda Mobility's strategic importance in the broader automotive landscape. The joint venture exists because two major Japanese corporations recognized something critical: the automotive industry is undergoing the most fundamental transformation in over a century, and success requires capabilities no single company possesses in sufficient depth.

Sony brought incredible design sensibility, entertainment ecosystem integration, battery technology expertise, and brand prestige in electronics and entertainment. Honda brought manufacturing expertise, supplier relationships, regulatory knowledge, and decades of vehicle engineering experience. Together, they could theoretically create vehicles that combined Sony's innovation with Honda's execution reliability.

But the joint venture also launches during a period of tremendous competitive intensity. Tesla has proven that newcomers can disrupt traditional automotive manufacturers. Chinese EV makers are advancing at an extraordinarily rapid pace. Traditional luxury automakers like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi are deploying massive resources toward EV development. Startups continue launching with bold visions and uncertain execution.

In this context, Sony Honda's approach stands out for its focus on experience design and ecosystem integration rather than racing on technical specifications. The company seems to understand something fundamental: early EV adopters already understand electric powertrains. They're moved by design, by brand, by the ecosystem of services and experiences surrounding the vehicle.

This positioning makes the 2026 CES presentation crucial. If Sony Honda can demonstrate that they've genuinely evolved the design and experience, they're positioned to capture a meaningful slice of the luxury EV market. If the presentation reveals continued incremental thinking and designs that feel dated, the market will likely move on to competitors.

Autonomous driving announcements are projected to have the highest impact, followed closely by pricing strategy and international availability. (Estimated data)

Comparing the Afeela 1 to Luxury EV Competitors

To understand what the CES 2026 announcement means for the broader market, it's essential to understand how the Afeela 1 compares to available luxury EV alternatives at similar price points.

The BMW i7 represents the most direct competitor. Starting around $95,000, the i7 combines BMW's interior design excellence with robust electric architecture. It offers roughly 300 miles of range, seats five comfortably, and comes packed with BMW's latest technology stack. The interior is unmistakably luxury—ambient lighting, premium materials, careful attention to tactile quality. From a pure driving experience perspective, the i7 delivers what you expect from a luxury sedan adapted to electric propulsion.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE offers a different design philosophy. More angular, more deliberately futuristic than the BMW, the EQE emphasizes its technological sophistication through design language. The interior features Mercedes' hyperscreen technology, a massive display that dominates the dashboard. At comparable pricing to the Afeela 1, it delivers range, comfort, and the Mercedes brand prestige.

The Porsche Taycan competes at a slightly higher price point but deserves mention because it demonstrates how traditional luxury automakers can leverage existing brand equity into the EV space. Despite being "just" an electric sedan platform borrowed from Audi, the Taycan commands premium positioning through Porsche's performance legacy.

Compared to these competitors, where does the Afeela 1 stand? Advantages include Sony's entertainment integration, which no traditional luxury manufacturer matches at this depth, and the potential for innovative user experience design. Disadvantages include an unproven brand in automotive contexts and designs that, by most assessments, don't yet communicate the sophistication of competitors.

The CES 2026 presentation is essentially Sony Honda's opportunity to address these disadvantages. If the updated Afeela 1 and the new concept model demonstrate genuinely innovative design thinking, the company could shift from "interesting newcomer" to "legitimate competitor" in consumer perception.

Technical Specifications Worth Understanding

While the CES 2026 presentation will focus more on design and experience than raw specifications, understanding the Afeela 1's technical foundation helps contextualize Sony Honda's engineering approach.

The Afeela 1 uses a platform developed specifically for the joint venture, not borrowed from either Sony or Honda's existing vehicle lines. This clean-sheet design approach allows optimization for electric propulsion from first principles. The platform accommodates various battery capacities and motor configurations, from single-motor rear-wheel-drive base models to dual-motor all-wheel-drive performance versions.

Battery technology draws on Sony's deep expertise in battery development—the same company supplying cells to countless consumer electronics manufacturers. Expected battery capacities range from roughly 75 kWh in base models to over 100 kWh in higher trims. Real-world range estimates fall in the 300-mile neighborhood, competitive with established luxury EV options.

Motor configurations appear to follow the single/dual motor approach that's become standard in the industry. The base model likely features a single rear-mounted motor with roughly 250 horsepower. All-wheel-drive models add a front motor, bringing total output to around 400 horsepower. These figures are competitive but unexceptional—luxury EV buyers don't expect or necessarily want superlative acceleration. They want sufficient power combined with smooth, refined operation.

What may differentiate the Afeela 1 technically is the in-vehicle computing architecture. Sony's experience with computing systems and consumer electronics likely translates to a more sophisticated onboard computing platform than most automotive manufacturers deploy. This computing power enables the PlayStation Remote Play functionality and provides the foundation for advanced autonomous features and over-the-air update capability.

Charging architecture likely supports both DC fast charging and home AC charging. Expected fast-charging performance should enable roughly 200+ miles of range from a 30-minute charging session, putting the Afeela 1 in line with competitors.

The CES 2026 presentation by Sony Honda Mobility highlights key trends such as increased entertainment integration, focus on experience design, and more tech companies entering the EV market. Estimated data shows significant growth in these areas by 2030.

The Autonomous Driving Question: What We Might See

One element that remains unclear heading into the CES 2026 presentation is how prominently autonomous driving capabilities will feature. The original Vision-S concept car heavily emphasized Level 3 autonomous capability—cars that could self-drive in certain conditions while monitoring the driver.

Automatic driving development timelines have shifted dramatically since 2020. Regulatory frameworks remain uncertain in most markets. Real-world autonomous vehicle deployments have moved slower than early optimists predicted. Despite significant investment from tech companies and automakers alike, true Level 3+ autonomy remains more promise than current reality in production vehicles available to consumers.

The CES 2026 presentation might address autonomous driving in several possible ways. First, the company could announce specific Level 2+ autonomous features available in the Afeela 1—adaptive cruise control, lane centering, automated parking, etc. These features are proven, regulatorily cleared, and genuinely useful in real-world driving.

Alternatively, Sony Honda could announce partnerships with autonomous driving software providers. Rather than developing autonomy in-house, they could license technology from companies like Mobileye, Waymo, or other specialists. This approach accelerates time-to-market and leverages external expertise.

Or the company could continue emphasizing autonomous driving as a future direction without committing to specific availability timelines. This allows them to maintain the technological vision without overcommitting on delivery.

The concept model may give clues about autonomous driving priorities. Future-oriented autonomous vehicles often feature modified cockpit designs—steering wheels that retract, seats that reconfigure, controls that disappear. If the new concept model emphasizes such changes, that signals Sony Honda's confidence in autonomous driving timelines. If the concept retains traditional steering and controls, that suggests a more conservative timeline.

When the Afeela 1 Actually Reaches Customers

Heading into the CES 2026 presentation, timing remains one of the most critical unknowns. When will customers actually be able to buy an Afeela 1? The presentation may provide more definitive timelines.

Based on previous announcements, the Afeela 1 was originally expected to reach initial production sometime in 2025 or early 2026. Given that we're now in early 2026, production presumably either has begun or is imminent. This timeline aligns with having pre-production vehicles ready for CES demonstration—the final stage before production vehicles roll off assembly lines.

If production has begun, expect the presentation to announce initial production figures—perhaps 5,000-10,000 units in 2026. Luxury EV sales volumes for new entrants typically look like this. They're not chasing million-unit volumes; they're establishing the brand and proving viability before scaling.

If production hasn't yet begun, the presentation might announce a definitive date—"Production begins Q2 2026" or "First customer deliveries Q3 2026." This would reset expectations and clarify the path to market availability.

The timeline matters tremendously for potential buyers. Early adopters considering the Afeela 1 need to know whether they're buying something available now, available this year, or available next year. Long waits erode momentum and provide opportunities for competitors.

The Wider Implications: What This Means for the EV Market

Beyond the specific details of the Afeela 1, the CES 2026 presentation signals broader trends affecting the entire automotive industry. Sony Honda's success or failure has implications reaching far beyond their individual sales figures.

First, the presentation demonstrates that traditional automotive design languages are evolving. The days of "electric version of the gas car with the engine removed" are ending. New entrants like Sony, and increasingly traditional manufacturers as well, are designing vehicles specifically for electric architecture. The Afeela 1's proportions—long wheelbase, short overhangs—would be impossible with traditional powertrains. This design freedom leads to vehicles that actually look different, not just electronically equivalent.

Second, Sony's emphasis on entertainment and ecosystem integration signals where vehicle manufacturers believe customer value lies. It's not just about transportation anymore. It's about creating experiences, offering services, integrating vehicles into broader entertainment and connectivity ecosystems. This represents a fundamental philosophical shift in automotive design.

Third, successful partnerships between technology companies and traditional automakers validate a strategy that benefits from both spheres' expertise. Sony's design and technology depth combined with Honda's manufacturing and regulatory knowledge represents a template other companies might emulate. We may see more such partnerships as tech giants recognize they need automotive expertise and automakers recognize they need technology innovation capacity.

Expert Perspective: What Automotive Analysts Are Watching

Industry analysts and automotive journalists will be watching the CES 2026 presentation specifically for signals about several key questions.

First, design evolution. Has Sony Honda actually listened to criticism that the Afeela 1 felt dated? The visual appeal of the refreshed pre-production vehicles will communicate immediately whether the company took this feedback seriously.

Second, go-to-market execution. Announcing new vehicles is easy. Manufacturing them to target quality standards, meeting promised timelines, and delivering customer service at luxury price points is hard. Any hints about production readiness, supply chain preparation, and dealer network development will signal execution confidence.

Third, market opportunity. The luxury EV segment is growing but remains small compared to overall EV market. How does Sony Honda plan to expand its addressable market? Will the new concept model suggest a more affordable model eventually? Will it indicate expansion into different vehicle categories?

Fourth, competitive differentiation. In a market increasingly crowded with luxury EV options, what actually differentiates the Afeela? PlayStation Remote Play is clever, but is it sufficient? What else can Sony Honda offer that competitors cannot?

The Entertainment Ecosystem: Beyond Just Gaming

While PlayStation Remote Play gets headline attention, the broader entertainment ecosystem Sony is building around the Afeela deserves deeper understanding. Sony brings unique capabilities in music, video, gaming, and connected services. The Afeela 1 positions itself as a vehicle that leverages all these strengths.

Music integration likely includes partnerships with Sony Music Entertainment or access to premium streaming services optimized for in-vehicle listening. High-quality audio systems (probably from Harman Kardon or a premium audio partner) ensure the listening experience justifies the premium price.

Video capabilities might include access to Sony entertainment properties—movies from Sony Pictures, shows from streaming services—though most video watching would naturally occur while parked, not while driving.

Connectivity services could include seamless integration with Sony's other products—smartwatches, headphones, cameras—creating an interconnected ecosystem where the Afeela 1 serves as a premium hub.

This ecosystem approach represents something fundamentally different from how traditional automakers think about vehicles. A BMW or Mercedes views the car as the product. Sony views the car as part of a broader entertainment and connectivity ecosystem where the vehicle represents a premium access point.

Preparing for the Presentation: What to Watch For

If you're planning to watch the CES 2026 presentation live, knowing what to pay attention to helps you evaluate the significance of what's being announced.

First, watch the design language of both the refreshed Afeela 1 and the new concept. Do they communicate innovation and technological sophistication? Or do they feel safe and conservative? Design is communicated instantly—visual first impressions matter.

Second, listen carefully to the technical specifications and timelines mentioned. Specific production dates matter. Specific feature announcements matter. Vague promises about "future capabilities" should be taken with healthy skepticism.

Third, pay attention to what's not said. What features don't they emphasize? What market segments don't they address? Silences sometimes communicate as much as announcements.

Fourth, observe how confident the presenters seem. Do they project belief in what they're building? Or do they seem defensive about past criticism? Executive body language and tone conveys information beyond the scripted remarks.

Fifth, note any new partnership announcements. Partnerships with software companies, charging networks, or other automotive suppliers signal Sony Honda's strategy for building competitive advantage through ecosystem integration.

Potential Game-Changing Announcements: Speculation and Educated Guesses

While we can't know exactly what Sony Honda will announce, educated guesses based on industry trends and the company's strategic priorities suggest several possibilities.

First, a more aggressive pricing announcement. Could Sony Honda surprise by announcing a lower starting price than previously communicated? A base model starting at

Second, expanded autonomous driving announcements. A partnership with a major autonomous driving software provider, or announcement of specific Level 3 capability availability, would differentiate the Afeela 1 significantly.

Third, a companion product in the Afeela lineup. Rumors have suggested a potential Afeela SUV or crossover variant. An announcement of a second body style would signal that Sony Honda views this as a sustainable business rather than a one-model venture.

Fourth, major partnership announcements with charging networks, software providers, or entertainment partners. These partnerships would demonstrate ecosystem depth.

Fifth, surprising international availability announcements. If Afeela models will be available outside the US and Japan more quickly than previously expected, this signals manufacturing scaling and confidence in global demand.

The Long Game: Where Sony Honda Goes After CES 2026

The CES 2026 presentation represents a significant milestone, but it's not the endpoint of Sony Honda's automotive ambitions. Understanding where the company likely heads after this presentation helps contextualize what's being announced.

Over the next two to three years, expect rapid iteration on the Afeela 1 design and specifications. Early customer feedback will drive updates. New battery and motor technology will become available. Software updates will improve autonomous capability and entertainment integration.

The new concept model will evolve toward production reality. What's shown as a concept at CES 2026 will likely reach actual production sometime in the 2027-2029 timeframe. This second model expands Sony Honda's presence in the market and reaches different customer segments.

Globally, Sony Honda has been working toward eventual international availability. The US and Japanese markets represent the natural starting point, but genuine automotive companies eventually expand globally. Expect eventual availability in Europe, China, and other major automotive markets.

Perhaps most importantly, Sony Honda will be building actual customer relationships, service networks, and brand reputation. Decades of automotive history demonstrate that manufacturing capability and design skill matter less than the ability to support vehicles across their service life and build brand loyalty over time. This unglamorous work happens over years, not at CES presentations.

FAQ

What time does the Sony Honda Afeela CES 2026 presentation start?

The presentation airs live on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 8PM ET. The stream will be available on the official Afeela YouTube channel. If you can't watch live, the full presentation will be archived on YouTube immediately after it concludes, allowing you to watch on demand whenever suits your schedule.

Where can I watch the Sony Honda Afeela presentation?

The presentation will stream exclusively on the official Afeela YouTube channel. Simply navigate to that channel at 8PM ET on January 5, 2026 to watch live. You don't need a YouTube account, subscription, or any special access—the stream is completely open to the public.

What vehicles will be shown at the CES presentation?

Sony Honda Mobility will display the updated Afeela 1 in multiple pre-production configurations with various color variations, giving viewers a comprehensive view of the near-production model. Additionally, they'll debut a completely new concept vehicle, which represents the company's vision for future models and design direction.

How much does the Afeela 1 cost?

The Afeela 1 starts at

What makes the Afeela 1 unique compared to other electric vehicles?

The Afeela 1 differentiates itself through PlayStation Remote Play capability, making it the first production vehicle to offer in-car streaming of PS4 and PS5 games. Beyond gaming, the Afeela 1 emphasizes entertainment integration, connectivity, design sophistication, and the combination of Sony's technology expertise with Honda's manufacturing reliability.

When will the Afeela 1 be available for purchase?

Based on the timing of pre-production vehicles being displayed at CES, production appears to be commencing in early 2026. The CES presentation may provide more specific availability timelines, but prospective buyers should expect initial customer deliveries sometime in 2026, with full production ramping through 2027.

How does the Afeela 1 compare to Tesla vehicles?

The Afeela 1 operates in an entirely different market segment than Tesla. While Tesla focuses on mass-market EVs with premium performance models for enthusiasts, the Afeela 1 targets the luxury sedan market, positioning itself alongside traditional luxury automakers. The price difference ($30,000 more than comparable Tesla models) reflects this positioning, with the Afeela 1 emphasizing design, entertainment integration, and brand prestige over raw performance specifications.

What is PlayStation Remote Play and how does it work in the Afeela?

PlayStation Remote Play is a Sony technology that allows owners with a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console at home to stream their games wirelessly to the Afeela 1's display system while the vehicle is parked. This enables drivers to play full AAA video games during charging breaks or while waiting, without the games being installed locally on the vehicle. It builds on technology refined through the PlayStation Portal remote play device.

Are there any driving range and charging specifications for the Afeela 1?

The Afeela 1 uses Sony-developed battery technology with capacities ranging from approximately 75 kWh to over 100 kWh depending on trim level. Expected real-world driving range is competitive with luxury EV class standards, targeting roughly 300 miles per charge. The vehicle supports both DC fast charging and home AC charging, with fast charging capable of adding 200+ miles of range in roughly 30 minutes.

What is Sony Honda Mobility and why did these two companies partner?

Sony Honda Mobility is a joint venture between Sony and Honda established to develop and commercialize electric vehicles. The partnership combines Sony's expertise in design, entertainment, electronics, and battery technology with Honda's automotive engineering, manufacturing capability, supplier relationships, and regulatory knowledge. This combination enables the creation of vehicles that integrate technology and entertainment at levels traditional automakers cannot match independently.

Conclusion

The CES 2026 presentation from Sony Honda Mobility represents far more than an announcement about a single vehicle model or two. It marks a critical inflection point in how Japanese companies approach the electric vehicle market and signals broader trends about entertainment integration, experience design, and the future of automotive technology.

Watching the presentation gives you a front-row seat to the intersection of consumer electronics and automotive innovation. You'll see how a company famous for PlayStations and entertainment approaches creating mobility solutions. You'll witness design thinking that challenges traditional automotive conventions. You'll gain insight into where the electric vehicle market is heading beyond pure performance and efficiency specifications.

The Afeela 1's success or failure in the market will have implications reaching far beyond Sony Honda Mobility. If the company executes well, other tech companies will follow the same path, recruiting automotive expertise and building EV programs. If execution falters, it reinforces the idea that automotive manufacturing requires decades of expertise that newcomers cannot quickly acquire.

More immediately, tuning into the presentation allows you to form your own opinions about the vehicles and the vision. Don't rely solely on automotive journalists' assessments—watch the presentation and evaluate the design, the features, and the strategic direction yourself. The Afeela 1 and the concept model will either inspire confidence in Sony Honda's vision or raise questions about whether the company has truly understood what premium EV buyers want.

The stream is free, widely accessible, and requires no special preparation. At 8PM ET on January 5, 2026, simply pull up the Afeela YouTube channel and watch as one of the world's most innovative companies reveals the next chapter of its automotive ambitions. Based on what unfolds, you'll better understand not just the Afeela, but the future direction of the entire electric vehicle industry.

Key Takeaways

• Sony Honda's CES 2026 presentation streams live January 5 at 8PM ET on the official Afeela YouTube channel
• The company will showcase updated Afeela 1 pre-production vehicles plus debut an entirely new concept model
• PlayStation Remote Play makes Afeela the first vehicle offering in-car PS4/PS5 game streaming capability
• The $89,900 base price positions Afeela 1 in luxury EV segment competing with BMW i7 and Mercedes EQE
• This presentation marks a critical inflection point signaling Sony Honda's design evolution and market readiness

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