The Fisker Ocean is a brand-new electric SUV creation of Fisker, Inc., the second business to hold Henrik Fisker’s name after its creator and founder. The company capitalizes on consumers’ penchant for small crossovers by starting with the Ocean, although the designer earned his reputation with iconic race cars like the BMW Z8 and Aston-Martin DB9. Five people may be accommodated in two rows of the clean, contemporary cabin. This is more reasonable than the competition since every trim has a well-equipped introductory price. The Ocean stands out in a market that is becoming increasingly crowded because of its high driving range and distinctive features like a spinning infotainment screen and solar roof.
Four trims are available, with the single-motor, short-range battery-powered front-wheel drive Sport being the most economical at $37,499. For $49,999, the Ultra adds all-wheel drive (AWD) and a battery with a more extended range. The Extreme costs $68,999, including Boost mode, a 360-degree camera, and more safety measures. It moves well into the luxury segment. Another option is the One, a restricted 5,000-unit run of the Extreme with distinctive exterior elements and badging priced at $68,999.
This flourishing industry is becoming more competitive. The Volvo XC40 Recharge has a leather-free inside and a higher beginning price, and the distinctive, futuristic-looking Hyundai Ioniq 5, is reasonably priced and has an unusual style. Additionally, there is Tesla’s Model Y and the more performance-oriented Ford Mustang Mach-E, which significantly draws inspiration from its muscle car heritage. All four are now on the market, while the Fisker Ocean’s manufacturing only got underway in Austria in late November, with deliveries beginning in early 2023.
FOcean has a single front-wheel-drive engine for the base’s power, producing 275 horsepower and 250 kilometers of range on a single charge. There is also a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup with an extended-range battery with 550 horsepower and a driving capacity of up to 350 miles per charge. Regardless of your arrangement, both provide an EV’s instantaneous torque and outstanding acceleration.
Although the Fisker Ocean is a newbie, its distinctive qualities make it stand out. The infotainment touchscreen rotates, the solar roof extends the range, powers the doggy windows, and the liftgate window opens. Additionally, it boasts a luxurious interior with finishes that provide an elegant appearance and feel despite being made from recycled materials. Additionally, its cost is competitive with many competitors at the primary level while still providing many standard features. Hopefully, the Model Y’s price rise, which forced it into the purely premium area, won’t affect the Fisker, made in Austria by reputable, seasoned Magna. The same company makes the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
One prominent feature is the spinning 17.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, which is standard on the Extreme and One variant. A gas or an electric car doesn’t allow you to rotate the screen into landscape position for viewing movies. Along with a 4G connection, a high-end Harman Kardon eight-speaker audio system is included. Automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, parking assist, and driver attentiveness warning are all considered standard safety features and are anticipated to be available in 2023. Although we could only drive a pre-production model, it felt high-end for the money. It was promising for drivers wishing to switch to electric cars conveniently and fashionably.
Performance:
The Essential Ocean has a single electric motor that produces 275 horsepower and front-wheel drive. Additionally, there are two driving modes—Earth and Fun—that either enhance performance or efficiency. All trims get a battery with dual-motor all-wheel drive, producing 540 horsepower in the Ultra and 550 in the Extreme and One, except the basic Sport trim. A second driving mode, Hyper, is added to this powerplant for even more powerful performance.
The acceleration of an EV is one of its most noticeable qualities. This is because torque builds gradually in a gas-powered vehicle but is supplied suddenly in an electric car. Even in Earth mode, the acceleration is quick. The Ocean strikes a mix between its strength and rapid responses from the handling. It can’t match the Mach-E’s engine, but it provides more powerful and enjoyable driving than other compact electric SUVs. Although almost all EVs have excellent torque, not all like winding roads.
Front-wheel drive trims can weigh a maximum of 2,040 pounds, while all-wheel drive trims can weigh a maximum of 4,000 pounds.
Range and Charging Time:
The EPA has not yet rated The Ocean, but Fisker has provided us with expected numbers. Around 250 miles may be covered by the Sport’s standard-range battery on a single charge. The Ultra’s long-range battery raises that figure to 340 miles, while the Extreme and One have a maximum range of 350 miles per charge.
With such a range, Fisker outperforms the competition. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a range of 303 miles, compared to the Volvo XC40 Recharge’s maximum capacity of 223 miles and the Mustang Mach-E’s full range of 312 miles per charge. The Ocean is an excellent option for getting rid of range anxiety. These stats have not yet been validated regarding how rapidly it charges. We have given the Ocean a somewhat cautious rating up to this point, but we will revise it after we have consistent real-world charging experiences.
Safety and driver support technology:
Despite having a wealth of standard and optional safety measures, the 2023 Fisker Ocean has not yet received a rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which substantially influences its safety rating.
Some baseline safety measures will be enabled once the Ocean goes into production this month, and an over-the-air upgrade is anticipated to be accessible in early 2023. A limited number of premature deliveries may arrive before the update is released. However, most cars will be delivered with these upgrades already installed.
Automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane maintenance assist, emergency lane departure avoidance, traffic sign and traffic light recognition, intelligent speed assist, driver tiredness and attention alert, parking assist, and automatic high beams are just a few of the basic safety features available.
Midway through 2023, front and side collision warning systems are expected, and a rearview monitor will follow by the year’s end. Higher trims will include evasive steering assistance and rear cross-traffic accident avoidance by the middle of the year.
Comfort and Space
The Ocean’s interior is cozy and roomy, with distinctive details you won’t find anywhere else. Its interior is neat and uncomplicated, with speakers concealed behind fabric trimmings and air vents operated through the infotainment screen rather than the dashboard’s dials and knobs.
We like the inventive design decisions made in the Ocean to make it a more welcoming area for passengers. This contains a “taco table,” a compact table that pops out from the center console to keep items. At the same time, the vehicle is stationary, and a second table is concealed in the dashboard on the passenger side.
Even though few premium cars employ leather, the materials are of high quality. Instead, everything from the doors to the seats is decorated with repurposed and sustainable materials. Even if the internal measures are unknown, there is still plenty of space. Instead, we considered the wheelbase, which separates the centers of the front and back wheels. The Ocean has a wheelbase a few inches shorter than the Mach-E, and the Ioniq 5 has a wheelbase of 115 inches. The Volvo XC40 Recharge is around 9 inches faster than it.
Infotainment: Fisker Ocean
The 17.1-inch touchscreen used for the Ocean’s standard infotainment is positioned vertically on the dashboard. Additionally, there are two front and two rear USB ports, a wireless phone charger, Amazon Alexa voice control, a nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 4G connection, and other features. Neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto are available. Instead, Fisker developed its infotainment system that includes the specific data required for EVs, which is missing from conventional user interfaces (although we deducted points for it in our evaluation).
It is simple to use because of the wide touchscreen, quickness, and structured, clear menus. You may also alter the view to show the frequently used things. Without the touchscreen, the climate is controlled by a single row of physical controls at the bottom of the screen. When the car is in the park on the Extreme and Ocean, the whole screen turns from Control mode (portrait) to Hollywood mode (landscape), allowing you to view films as you wait for the kids to be picked up from school or while the car charges. These trims also have a 16-speaker premium audio system and dual-pad wireless charging.
Storage & Cargo Space:
It is difficult to compare the Ocean directly to the competition since Fisker has not yet disclosed its freight data. The broad rear opening makes it simple to store bigger stuff, and there is a cargo cover to keep everything hidden. A few unique features make cargo storage in the Ocean a little simpler. A modest underfloor space is made visible by the middle-folding cargo area floor. It may be fastened upright to provide room for retaining smaller objects and prevent rolling.
Additionally, when the floor is folded, three little hooks emerge. These are ideal for storing supermarket bags and preventing stray objects from entering the cargo compartment. The taco tray extending from the dashboard may be used when the vehicle is stopped, and you need a place to lay down food for an on-the-go meal instead of the glovebox and front trunk, both absent up front. Tiny storage compartments tucked behind the front seats compensate for the absence of a glovebox. The Ocean is a flexible and practical choice thanks to the large center console’s additional fold-out taco tray for the driver.
Design: Fisker Ocean
The Fisker Ocean offers a blend of elegance and simplicity, emphasizing sustainability. Soft suede textiles instead of showy metal or wood trimmings provide a more appealing aesthetic. The designers’ goal was to create a simple and unpretentious cabin without having the stark appearance of a Tesla. Speaker grilles are concealed under fabric coverings, so they are not apparent. The air vent knobs are also absent. They are located within the infotainment system instead. It’s tidy, contemporary, and unmistakably expensive.
This is not a premium car that adheres to the tried-and-true formula of conventional luxury automobiles. Instead, it’s a new, contemporary approach to luxury. Genuine leather and unique textiles are unnecessary when sweet, eco-friendly substitutes are available. Inside and out, the car is aesthetically attractive and represents where automotive design is headed rather than where it was in the past. For the buyer of a contemporary automobile, this delivers a novel luxury experience.
The Fisker Ocean 2023: Is It Worth It?
When it comes to electric SUVs, there are many options, but the Fisker Ocean has several characteristics that set it apart from the competitors.
There are enough for five passengers in a stunning, contemporary cabin with amenities not seen in other cars. One of them is the revolving infotainment screen, which you can use to unwind and watch a movie while you wait for the battery to charge. The back seats recline, and the front passengers carry taco trays for their munchies. Although unnecessary, these aspects contribute to the environment’s distinctive emphasis on passengers.
A long-range lessens the need to stop and refuel, and the driver is kept interested by powerful acceleration and responsive handling. This is a fantastic alternative for road trips because of the quiet and comfortable ride. Another feature is California mode, which simultaneously opens all eight windows so you can enjoy the warm summer weather. No other SUV (electric or not) can do this. Additionally, high-standard safety can alleviate your worries.
We recommend the Ultra since it has all-wheel drive and a longer-lasting battery, but if you have the money, get the Extreme for its more upscale experience. Regardless of your decision, the Ocean is an excellent alternative for people switching to electric, but we can’t yet speak to the ownership experience because it’s a brand-new car.
Fisker, however, differs somewhat from upstarts like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid in that it has farmed out its manufacture to a reputable authority in automobile manufacturing rather than, at least initially, creating a plant on its own. The Ocean is produced in Austria by Magna Steyr, which has a long history of contract manufacturing for cars like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Toyota. It has also made other EVs, including the Jaguar I-Pace. It also produces the high-quality Toyota Supra, BMW 5 Series, and G-Class.
How Much Will Insurance for the Fisker Ocean?
We don’t have information on the insurance rates for the 2023 Fisker Ocean, but they should be comparable to those of other electric SUVs. Our statistics show that a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean driving record may anticipate an average yearly premium for the Volvo XC40 Recharge of around $2,700, but this averages for all 50 states. Owners of Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles may pay $2,200 annually, while those of Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles may pay up to $2,680.
Our Finding
The Fisker Ocean is a brand-new two-row electric SUV with room for five passengers. It is the first automobile by Fisker, Inc. (not to be confused with Fisker Automotive) and has an exquisite and streamlined interior emphasizing sustainable materials. With a large infotainment display that rotates, an optional solar roof, and a wealth of cutting-edge safety technologies, The Ocean offers a luxury experience. Its driving range makes locating a charging station less of a concern, and its pricing is shockingly low, although the sector is seeing more competition from seasoned manufacturers.
