Fisker Ocean 1st Drive: Potential Contender With The Right Over-The-Air Updates

Fisker invited me to drive the brand new Fisker Ocean on an prolonged check drive. I used to be invited me to an occasion the place they defined how they design their vehicles to have the lowest lifecycle carbon footprint of any electric SUV, and I acquired to see their production-intent, very economical PEAR and midsized pickup known as the Alaska. I’ll cowl my ideas on the presentation, the PEAR, and the Alaska in one other article. This text will likely be on the Fisker Ocean Excessive I drove (which is the top-of-the-line mannequin beginning at $61,499).

The Fisker Ocean is an all-electric SUV that’s based mostly on a platform developed with the contract producer Magna. The Ocean is out there in three totally different trim ranges: Sport, Extremely, and Excessive. The Sport trim has a variety of 250 miles, whereas the Extremely and Excessive trims have ranges of 350 and 360 miles, respectively. All three trims come commonplace with a 17.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a panoramic glass roof, and a collection of driver-assistance options.

The Ocean is about the identical measurement on the Tesla Mannequin Y. It’s an inch longer, lower than an inch taller, and fewer than an inch wider. I discovered it a trendy and trendy SUV that’s positive to show heads. The outside is modern and aerodynamic, with a protracted wheelbase and a brief overhang. The inside is spacious and cozy, with loads of room for passengers and cargo. The supplies used within the inside are prime quality, and the general match and end is superb.

The Fisker Ocean is a pleasure to drive, however the traction management and throttle management are much less refined than different electrical vehicles I’ve pushed. There’s a software program replace coming that ought to enhance the smoothness of the traction management, antilock braking, and throttle response. I discovered the journey easy and cozy. The electrical powertrain supplies loads of energy, and the automotive can speed up from 0 to 60 mph in simply 3.7 seconds. The Ocean additionally has a variety of driver-assistance options that make it simpler to drive in site visitors, similar to adaptive cruise management and lane departure warning. The adaptive cruise management wasn’t but enabled on my check automotive, however that is additionally anticipated to roll out as an over-the-air replace. That characteristic will likely be essential to be aggressive on this house.

The Fisker Ocean’s dashboard is dominated by the 17.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which takes up a lot of the heart console. The high-resolution show is the place you management the brains of the automotive, offering entry to a variety of options, together with navigation, music, telephone, local weather management, automobile settings, and apps.

The Fisker Ocean’s software program is filled with options and performance. The navigation system labored properly. Though, it took me a short while to determine the way to regulate the too-loud navigation prompts (decrease the quantity utilizing the bodily quantity button when it’s giving instructions), and it provides real-time site visitors updates and dynamic routing.

The music participant helps a wide range of streaming companies, together with Spotify, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn Radio, along with FM radio (there isn’t a AM or XM radio). The telephone interface lets you make and obtain calls, ship and obtain textual content messages, and entry your contacts.

The house display options an intuitive format with giant icons for the primary features. You’ll be able to simply entry totally different pages, similar to a navigation map, music participant, and telephone interface. Every display is properly designed and uncluttered, with easy-to-read controls and enticing graphics.

Along with the touchscreen, the Fisker Ocean additionally has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. This show reveals important data, similar to pace, vary, and navigation instructions. The graphics are clear and crisp, and the format is straightforward to learn at a look. I discovered the display had a slight lag, which they are going to hopefully be capable to resolve with additional optimization of the software program, delivered by an over-the-air replace.

The local weather management system can be built-in into the touchscreen. You should use it to regulate the temperature, fan pace, and vent settings. The system additionally consists of an automated mode that may hold the cabin snug based mostly on the present temperature and humidity.

Along with these commonplace options, the Fisker Ocean additionally provides a variety of non-compulsory options, similar to a full-fledged photo voltaic glass roof that claims to have the ability to help you drive as much as 2000 miles a 12 months on the solar, an inside air filtration system, and a premium audio system.

Fisker Ocean Conclusion

The Fisker Ocean is a brand new electrical SUV that has been producing a variety of buzz these days. It’s a trendy and spacious SUV with lengthy vary and spectacular efficiency. Nevertheless, there have been some complaints concerning the automotive’s software program, which has been buggy and sluggish. Fisker has promised to repair these points with a future software program replace.

Within the meantime, there are nonetheless some issues to love concerning the Fisker Ocean. The automotive has a snug and well-designed inside, and it’s enjoyable to drive. It’s additionally filled with options, together with a big infotainment system, a panoramic sunroof, and a vegan inside. Nevertheless, the software program points are a serious concern, and it’s unclear when they are going to be fastened.

If you happen to’re contemplating shopping for a Fisker Ocean, it’s possible you’ll need to wait till the software program points have been resolved. Nevertheless, when you’re keen to miss these points, the Fisker Ocean is a promising new electrical SUV.

General, the Fisker Ocean is a promising new electrical SUV with so much to supply. Nevertheless, the software program points are a serious concern. If you happen to’re contemplating shopping for a Fisker Ocean, it’s possible you’ll need to wait till the software program points have been resolved.

Disclosure: I’m a shareholder in Tesla [TSLA], BYD [BYDDY], Nio [NIO], XPeng [XPEV], Hertz [HTZ], NextEra Vitality [NEP], and several other ARK ETFs. However I provide no funding recommendation of any kind right here. Fisker coated a few of my journey bills to expertise the automotive and presentation. 

All photos by Paul Fosse