Sony doesn’t do things by halves, and its upcoming AFEELA 1 electric car is proof of that – especially when it comes to sound. Ahead of CES 2026, Sony Honda Mobility has lifted the lid on its in-car audio system, and it’s… a lot. In the best possible way.
The AFEELA 1 packs a frankly wild 28-speaker set-up, all developed specifically for the car. No off-the-shelf drivers, no recycled components – everything’s bespoke, right down to a newly developed multilayer carbon-fibre composite diaphragm for improved rigidity and clarity.
Speaker placement was locked in at the earliest design stages, meaning this isn’t an afterthought shoved into door panels. You’ve got three-way speakers front and rear, twin centre speakers, satellites, roof exciters, subwoofers, and – because Sony – seat-embedded speakers for all four seats.
The subs don’t live in the boot either. They’re mounted under the centre console using an Iso-Barik configuration, with twin woofers facing each other to deliver tighter, faster bass without that annoying delay you get when low-end sound has to travel the length of the car.
As for how it all sounds? Sony’s offering three listening modes:
Immersive Theater Sound – the headline act, using 360-degree spatial audio powered by Sony’s Monopole Synthesis tech and AI-based sound source separation. Even standard stereo tracks get blown up into a full 3D sound field.
Hi-Fi Audio – for purists who just want high-res audio exactly as the artist intended.
Zonal Sound – letting rear passengers watch videos or listen to their own content via the seat speakers, without annoying the driver. Everyone wins.
There’s Dolby Atmos support baked in, plus advanced Active Road Noise Cancellation, combining Honda’s low-frequency wizardry with Sony’s mid-frequency tech to keep road noise in check.
Sony Honda Mobility says the goal is simple: turn time spent in the car into something more engaging, personal, and immersive. And judging by the spec sheet alone, they’re absolutely serious about it.
You’ll see more of AFEELA 1 – along with a brand-new concept – at CES 2026 in Las Vegas this January, where Sony Honda Mobility will host its first-ever standalone press conference.
If this is the future of in-car audio, we’re very much listening.
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