I Tried PS5 Gaming in an EV—and It’s Surprisingly Useful

Why This Actually Matters: PlayStation in a Car Is Useful—Up to a Point

Automakers have long treated in-car entertainment as a checkbox, but Sony Honda Mobility’s Afeela 1 is different: it’s the first mainstream EV with native PlayStation Remote Play baked right into the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system. In plain terms, passengers can stream games from a PS5 or PS4 sitting at home to the car’s integrated displays and speakers. That changes how you think about road-trip downtime, waiting at events, or killing time at a charger—but it’s not the magic mobile console many hype it to be.

• Native PS Remote Play means no phone mirroring—expect direct PSN sign-in and DualSense pairing.
• It’s console streaming, not cloud gaming: your PS5 must be on or in Rest Mode with network wake enabled.
• Practical limits include parked-only use, bandwidth sensitivity (15 Mbps+ recommended), and California-first deliveries in early 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Afeela’s IVI acts as a PS Remote Play client, streaming 1080p/60fps from your home PS5 over the internet.
• Test your home upload speed and mobile coverage now using the PS Remote Play app on a phone or laptop.
• Best in-car games are short-session or turn-based titles—avoid ultra low-latency shooters or fighters.
• Watch for potential subscription gating, premium codecs, or region locks down the line.

How PS Remote Play Works in the Afeela EV

Rather than embedding an actual PS5 in the dash, Afeela’s IVI software acts as a Remote Play client. Here’s the flow:

• Your home console (PS5 or PS4) stays on or in Rest Mode with “Enable Turning On PS5 from Network” toggled.
• Afeela’s IVI connects over the internet (using the car’s built-in modem, Wi-Fi, or a paired 5G hotspot).
• Video and audio stream to the car’s displays and speakers at up to 1080p/60fps, while your DualSense inputs (and haptics/adaptive triggers feedback) go back to the console.

This approach keeps the vehicle lighter, lets Sony push OTA updates, and delivers full DualSense support—no extra hardware required.

What You Need Before You Get In (Practical Checklist)

• Home Console Setup: PS5 or PS4 updated to the latest firmware, Remote Play enabled, network wake in Rest Mode turned on.
• High-Speed Uplink: Sony recommends at least 15 Mbps upload for stable 1080p/60. Use a 5 GHz Wi-Fi router or test a 5G hotspot where you park.
• Afeela IVI Firmware: Ensure the car’s infotainment software is up to date and you’re signed into PlayStation Network (PSN) on the dash.
• DualSense Controller: Pair via Bluetooth or plug in over USB—haptics and adaptive triggers will pass through.
• Dry Run: Download the PS Remote Play app on your phone or laptop and test from your driveway and typical parking spots to gauge latency.

Testing Your Network: Real-World Benchmarks

Real-world performance hinges on two variables: your home upload speed and the in-car connection. Here’s how to benchmark both:

• Garage Wi-Fi Test: Run a speed test (e.g., speedtest.net) on your PS Remote Play app in the garage. Look for consistent uploads of 15 Mbps or higher and latency under 50 ms for a smooth stream.
• 5G Hotspot Check: Park in a typical lot or driveway, tether your phone hotspot, and repeat the speed/latency test. Expect 30–70 ms ping and fluctuating speeds—ideal for casual RPGs and platformers.
• Dealership Demo: Ask your Afeela dealer if you can try Remote Play in their lot. That’s the closest preview of in-car performance you’ll get before delivery.

Top Game Picks for In-Car Sessions

• Astro Bot Rescue Mission: Day-one co-op fun with easy checkpoints, pausable gameplay, and minimal latency impact.
• Helldivers 2: Social shooter with drop-in co-op—great for quick sessions between errands.
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Turn-based battles give you breathing room if latency spikes.
• Elden Ring: Avoid for serious grinding—frame drops and lag can turn bosses into frustration machines.
• Gran Turismo 7: Casual racing is fine, but precision racers may notice a few extra milliseconds of input lag.

Pros and Cons: Should You Care?

Exciting bits: Afeela is the first EV to ship with built-in console streaming. The car’s premium audio and large displays beat most phones or tablets, making family road trips and charger stops genuinely more entertaining.

Enough skepticism to stay grounded: performance all boils down to two unpredictable factors—your home network’s upload speed and the car’s data link (garage Wi-Fi, 5G hotspot, or built-in modem). Sony’s 1080p/60 at ~15 Mbps is optimistic, and latency-sensitive fighters, shooters, or fast racers will still reveal lag. Plus, it’s strictly parked-only for safety and compliance. Finally, keep an eye on how Sony and SHM might monetize future updates—subscription locks, premium audio codecs, or region restrictions could be on the horizon.

Conclusion

Sony Honda Mobility’s Afeela PS Remote Play integration marks a bold step for in-car gaming. If you own a PS5 and will be in California when deliveries start in early 2026, this feature can turn waiting time into genuine playtime—just temper expectations about latency and remember it’s strictly for parked use. For everyone else, Afeela remains an intriguing demo of where automotive infotainment is heading.