Fisker Ocean Drive: Great Concept, Flawed Execution – Our Impressions
The electric car industry is booming, and Fisker Inc. attempts to ride the wave with the Fisker Ocean, a highly anticipated electric SUV. With promises of eco-friendly innovation, futuristic design, and advanced technology, the Fisker Ocean certainly created a buzz. But does it live up to the hype? We took a closer look at it and brought forth our impressions of Fisker Ocean’s execution. Spoiler alert: it didn’t quite meet expectations.
Promising Concept: Sustainability at its Core
The Fisker Ocean was introduced with a focus on sustainability and design aesthetics. It features entirely vegan interiors made from recycled materials, and a solar roof designed to keep the car topped up with environmentally-friendly energy. Not to mention, the SUV comes with an attractive price tag relative to some of its luxury EV competition.
The Fisker Ocean’s concept ticks all the right boxes—at least on paper. But unfortunately, this all-electric SUV doesn’t perform so well in reality. There are significant issues that mar what could’ve been a game-changer in the EV world.
Cheap Plastic and Key Issues
One of the most glaring disappointments with the Fisker Ocean is the quality of its components. The key is the first red flag. The speaker from the video review described the key’s plastic as “cheap and toy-like,” which detracts from the premium experience buyers expect at this price point. Additionally, the keyless entry system—supposedly a convenience feature—is plagued by functionality issues. The touch-based system often doesn’t respond well, making it more frustrating than helpful.
No Front Trunk, and Strange Front-Wheel Drive
Another peculiarity is the lack of a front trunk (frunk), even though this has become a standard feature for most electric cars. Additionally, while most electric vehicles prioritize rear-wheel drive, the single-motor version of Fisker Ocean uses front-wheel drive, which is a head-scratcher for many car enthusiasts.
The all-wheel-drive variant adds an extra motor, but why the company decided to make the single-motor configuration front-wheel drive puzzles us all. Paired with the cheaply operable front bonnet, these design choices only add more confusion to Fisker Ocean’s lineup.
A Frustrating Interior Experience
The interior could have been one of the car’s saving graces, as the materials themselves—including soft-touch panels—are generally praised. However, this is where the good news ends. The steering wheel is a major letdown; it isn’t just slippery, but its physical buttons often get pressed accidentally during regular driving. The speaker in the Fisker Ocean One review video goes as far as calling it the worst steering wheel he’s ever used.
But it doesn’t stop there. The large central screen—the focal point of the car’s operating system—has significant software bugs. Sometimes, it takes several minutes to turn on, which isn’t acceptable for any car in 2024. Issues were also noticed with the screen itself, as it automatically rotates based on driving modes (without real need) or when the car is locked, adding unnecessary complexity.
Software and Feature Glitches
The software seems far from polished, and features appear to be half-baked. One of the most bizarre issues raised in the review is that the top-view camera works only when the car is stationary. We can all agree, reversing while the camera is off is not a practical feature, and the frustrations keep mounting.
The temperature controls also have an awkward design. While the speaker appreciated the presence of physical buttons for basic A/C controls, the actual vent directions could only be manipulated on the touch screen—often unpredictably so. Not exactly optimal when you’re focusing on the road.
Driving Performance: Power But Inconsistent
When it comes to drivability, the Fisker Ocean only adds more contradictions. While the car is undeniably powerful, it suffers from significant issues with its driving dynamics. The accelerator pedal feels poorly calibrated; even a slight input triggers jerky movements.
Regenerative braking, a hallmark of most electric vehicles, seems inconsistent in the Fisker Ocean, switching abruptly on and off. Pair these issues with malfunctioning blind-spot monitoring, and a brake pedal that vibrated suspiciously like ABS activation on smooth roads—the drive becomes less enjoyable and more bewildering.
Solar Roof Underperforms
One of Fisker Ocean’s key selling points was its futuristic solar panel roof, which is pitched to charge the car while driving. However, when tested in good sunlight, it proved to add only a negligible amount of range—barely justifying its existence.
Safety Concerns
Another concerning area is the car’s safety features—or rather, their malfunctions. Systems like forward collision warnings and lane-keeping assist don’t function consistently. Fisker aims to join the ranks of Tesla or other electric car manufacturers that have earned high marks for safety and driver-assistance technology, but with these kinds of issues, they miss the mark.
Comfortable Seats But Limited Versatility
In terms of seating quality, front passengers will be happy in the comfortable, spacious seats that offer good support. However, rear-seat passengers may not share the same level of comfort. While the legroom and thigh support are decent, the ride from the back leaves much to be desired. There’s sufficient boot space, but the trunk opens unpredictably, adding to the list of “minor” annoyances that begin to feel major.
Final Thoughts: A Missed Opportunity
Fisker Ocean is a classic example of great concept, flawed execution. While the eco-friendly angle and powertrain are commendable, the poor quality of design, unreliable software, and frustrating user experience make this a tough sell in the competitive electric vehicle market.
For an electric vehicle priced to compete with brands like Tesla and Rivian, one would expect greater attention to detail and fewer glaring issues. Fisker needs to rethink its approach and fix the bugs that severely hamper daily usability. Until then, the Fisker Ocean feels like a missed opportunity—a car that could have been great but, due to its poor execution, falls tragically short.
What are your thoughts on the Fisker Ocean? Let us know in the comments below!
