Remember the Subaru SVX? That weird, wonderful coupe from the 1990s with the windows-within-windows? It feels like a ghost from automotive past. But what if I told you its spirit might be making a comeback, not from Subaru, but from a tech giant and an automotive legend? Is the ’90s Subaru SVX Back? Oh! It’s the 2026 Afeela by Sony and Honda.
This isn’t a simple retro revival. It’s something far more futuristic. The upcoming Afeela EV, born from the Sony Honda Mobility joint venture, seems to channel the SVX’s core philosophy: unconventional design married to advanced technology, aimed at a niche that values both. Let’s look at how a quirky ’90s GT car connects to a 2026 software-defined vehicle.
Is the ’90s Subaru SVX Back? Oh! It’s the 2026 Afeela by Sony and Honda
At first glance, they seem worlds apart. One is a gasoline-powered, all-wheel-drive coupe. The other is a sleek, electric sedan packed with sensors. Yet, the connection isn’t in the sheet metal; it’s in the DNA. Both cars represent bold, almost philosophical statements from their makers during times of major industry shift.
The Subaru SVX: A 1990s Time Capsule
To understand the comparison, we need to remember what the SVX was. Introduced for the 1992 model year, it was Subaru’s daring flagship grand tourer.
* The “Window-within-a-Window” Design: Its most famous feature. The side windows had a fixed outer pane with a smaller, roll-down section inside. It was for aerodynamics and a unique look, though it could make drive-thrus a bit awkward.
* Advanced Engineering: It featured Subaru’s trademark flat-six engine (the EG33) and full-time all-wheel drive. It was tech-heavy for its time, with a sophisticated electronic automatic transmission.
* A Niche Product: It was never meant to sell in huge numbers. It was a “halo car,” designed to elevate Subaru’s brand image and show what the company was capable of.
The SVX was a critically admired car that ultimately found a small, dedicated audience. It was a proof of concept that Subaru could do luxury and performance.
The 2026 Afeela: A Concept for the Software Age
Now, enter the Afeela prototype. Revealed at CES, it’s the first product from Sony Honda Mobility. Its mission is strikingly similar in spirit: to make a statement.
* A Rolling Entertainment Hub: Sony’s influence is unmistakable. The Afeela emphasizes in-car entertainment, gaming, and audio experiences, with a strong focus on the passenger’s digital experience.
* Sensor-Saturated Design: Its clean, minimalist exterior is covered in sensors (45 to be exact, including LiDAR). The front features a unique “Media Bar” display for communicating with the outside world.
* Software-Defined Vehicle: Its core identity isn’t just horsepower; it’s processing power and over-the-air updates that will continually change the car’s capabilities.
Like the SVX, the Afeela isn’t chasing mainstream Camry sales. It’s targeting early tech adopters who view a car as the next big smart device.
Three Core Philosophies They Share
This is where the ghost of the SVX seems to whisper. Both vehicles are built on similar foundational ideas.
1. Prioritizing Experience Over Convention.
The SVX’s weird windows sacrificed some convenience for style and aero. The Afeela’s giant screens and focus on passenger media prioritize a lounge-like experience over traditional driver-centric cockpits. Both cars ask you to rethink what a car’s interior is for.
2. Serving as a Technology Showcase.
Subaru used the SVX to prove its engineering chops beyond rally-bred sedans. Sony and Honda are using the Afeela to demonstrate a complete fusion of consumer electronics, entertainment, and automotive engineering. It’s a mobile billboard for a new partnership’s potential.
3. Embracing a Specific, Enthusiastic Niche.
Neither car is for everyone. The SVX appealed to the driver who wanted something truly different from Japan. The Afeela will appeal to the person who values a seamless digital ecosystem as much as, or more than, driving dynamics. They are both unapologetically focused.
Where the Afeela Diverges (And It’s a Big Leap)
Of course, the Afeela isn’t a copy. It represents the massive technological leap over three decades.
* The Powertrain Revolution: The SVX’s flat-six is replaced by silent electric motors. The mechanical AWD system is replaced by digital torque vectoring.
* The Brain: The SVX’s most advanced computer managed the transmission. The Afeela will have a supercomputer managing everything from autonomous driving to rendering PlayStation games.
* The Business Model: The SVX was sold through dealerships, full stop. The Afeela’s value may grow through software subscriptions and service expansions, much like a smartphone.
The Afeela isn’t just a car with tech features; it’s a tech platform that happens to have wheels. This is the fundamental evolution of the concept.
What This Means for You as a Future Car Buyer
If the Afeela is the spiritual successor to cars like the SVX, it signals a fascinating shift in the market.
* Cars as Specialized Tools: We may see more brands creating niche models for specific lifestyles (gaming, content creation, mobile office) rather than trying to build the perfect all-rounder.
* Brand Alliances Are Key: Just as Subaru tapped Italian design house Giugiaro for the SVX, future cars will be defined by partnerships (tech + auto, media + auto).
* Long-Term Value in Software: A car’s resale value might one day be linked to its software update history and compatible app ecosystem, not just its mileage and condition.
For you, this means more choice. You’ll be able to choose a car that aligns with your digital life as closely as your driving needs.
A Step-by-Step Look at the Afeela’s Proposed Experience
Based on what Sony Honda Mobility has shown, here’s how a journey in the 2026 Afeela might work:
1. Approach: The car recognizes you, lighting up its Media Bar with a welcome message. The doors present themselves.
2. Settling In: You sink into a seat likely optimized for both comfort and immersive audio. The panoramic screen dashboard comes to life.
3. Choosing Your Mode: Do you want to drive, or let the advanced driver-assist systems handle the commute? You select your preference.
4. The Commute: If you’re driving, the interface is clean and intuitive. If you’re not, you can choose from entertainment options streamed from your home console or select a movie from a partner service.
5. Collaboration: A video call begins seamlessly on the center screen, with noise-cancellation ensuring clarity.
6. Arrival: The car finds its parking spot, perhaps even charging itself via a wireless pad. It summarizes the trip data and your schedule for next steps.
This integrated experience is the true product, not just the vehicle itself.
Potential Challenges on the Road Ahead
The SVX’s path wasn’t entirely smooth, and the Afeela faces its own set of modern hurdles.
* Software Reliability: A car that relies on constant updates and complex code must be as bug-free as a traditional car is mechanically reliable. Glitches could be more than just annoying.
* Rapid Tech Obsolescence: Will the Afeela’s hardware support software updates 5-10 years from now? Avoiding the “old smartphone” feeling in a car is a new challenge.
* Market Acceptance: Will enough consumers be willing to pay a premium for an in-car entertainment and tech experience from a new brand? The SVX found a few thousand buyers a year; the Afeela will need to find its own dedicated crowd.
These are the questions Sony and Honda will need to adress as development continues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the Afeela a direct remake of the Subaru SVX?
A: No, not at all. It is not a retro car. The comparison is philosophical. Both are niche, technology-forward vehicles meant to showcase their parent companies’ ambitions in changing times.
Q: What will the Sony Honda Afeela cost?
A: Pricing hasn’t been officially announced, but expect it to be positioned as a premium electric vehicle, likely competing in the higher-end of the market when it arrives in 2026.
Q: Can you really play PlayStation games in the Afeela?
A: Sony has confirmed the integration of PlayStation 5 titles through remote play, allowing you to stream games from your console at home to the car’s screens while parked or, potentially, while charging.
Q: Was the Subaru SVX a successful car?
A: By sales volume, not really. It sold modestly over its production run. However, as a brand-builder and cult classic, it was succesful. It proved Subaru could engineer a GT car and retains a strong fanbase today.
Q: Will the Afeela have good driving dynamics?
A: Honda is handling the chassis and driving dynamics, which is a very promising sign given Honda’s history. While the focus is on tech, the driving experience should be competent and refined.
The Final Verdict: An Echo, Not a Replica
So, is the ’90s Subaru SVX back? In literal terms, no. Subaru hasn’t announced a successor. But its spirit—the idea of a daring, tech-loaded, niche vehicle that makes you look twice—is absolutely resurfacing. The 2026 Afeela by Sony and Honda is that spirit evolved for the digital era.
It replaces the mechanical novelty of aircraft-style windows with the digital novelty of a Media Bar and a cinematic screen. It swaps the symphony of a flat-six for the silence of an EV and the hum of a processor. For those who loved the SVX because it was different, the Afeela promises to be just as much of a landmark, just for a new generation. It proves that the courage to build a specialized machine for enthusiastic few is a timeless concept, even if the technology changes beyond recognition. The future of quirky, statement cars is here, and it’s electric, connected, and ready to play your game library.