Brief Summary
The Fisker Ocean, a new all-electric midsize SUV, is reviewed, highlighting both its potential and significant flaws. While the car boasts a handsome design, comfortable interior, and unique features like a solar panel roof and "California Mode," its numerous software and functionality issues make it the worst car the reviewer has tested. The review covers the car's exterior and interior design, unique features, driving experience, and pervasive software glitches. Despite upcoming software updates promising improvements, the current state of the Fisker Ocean is riddled with annoyances and unreliability.
- The Fisker Ocean has a good exterior design and comfortable interior.
- The car is plagued by numerous software glitches and functional issues.
- Unique features like the solar panel roof and California Mode are hampered by poor execution.
- The driving experience is marred by inconsistent drive modes and a limited launch control feature.
- Upcoming software updates aim to address some of the issues, but the car has a long way to go.
Introduction
The reviewer introduces the Fisker Ocean, a new all-electric midsize SUV, expressing that it has been the weirdest Automotive reviewing experience. Despite its potential and competitive positioning against popular EVs like the Tesla Model Y and Mustang Mach-E, the Fisker Ocean is described as the worst car he has ever tested due to numerous issues that become apparent over extended use. The reviewer got the car from a Mitsubishi dealership because Fisker couldn't provide one and Fisker didn't want to be reviewed before 2.0 software update. The reviewer will review the car as it is now and will mention the promised 2.0 software update at the end.
Exterior Design and Features
The Fisker Ocean has a handsome design, featuring a satin blue-green paint, a distinctive front end with a floating Fisker logo, and aerodynamic wheels with removable aero caps. The vehicle includes a CCS charge port (no NACS yet), flush door handles, and unique rear lighting with an additional blinker at the top. The rear window can be completely dropped down. The car is equipped with a solar panel roof, which Fisker claims can generate 3 to 6 miles of range per day.
Interior and Unique Features
The interior of the Fisker Ocean features a chunky steering wheel, a digital screen behind the steering wheel, and a large portrait display in the center. The materials and build quality are adequate but not exceptional. The car includes physical buttons for HVAC and volume controls, two wireless chargers, and comfortable seats. The back seat is spacious, with USB-C ports, good foot room, and a screen for HVAC controls. However, there is no pocket storage in the back. The car has blocked little squares of solar panels above the seats, but the software doesn't provide any information about their performance. The sun visors are small and the car lacks a traditional glove box, instead offering another tray for the passenger.
Driving Experience and Modes
The Fisker Ocean offers three drive modes: Earth, Fun, and Hyper, selectable only via an unlabeled button on the steering wheel. The modes primarily affect throttle response, with Earth mode being inconsistent and sometimes causing tire spin. The car has a launch control feature called "Boost," limited to 500 uses for the lifetime of the vehicle. The sunroof can be opened along with the rear window in "California Mode," but the rear 3/4 windows do not function as intended on the test car. The steering wheel buttons are prone to accidental presses, which can be annoying.
Software Issues and Annoyances
The software in the Fisker Ocean is described as a mess, with frequent errors related to steering, braking, and camera systems. The 360-degree camera often fails to activate when reversing. The central screen can rotate to a horizontal mode by holding down the unlabeled Fisker button for 5 seconds. Bluetooth connectivity is unreliable, with frequent disconnections. The screen behind the steering wheel flashes distractingly between red and blue during acceleration and deceleration. The driver assistance systems fail frequently, and the car lacks hill hold. The key fob is unresponsive, and the California Mode button on the steering wheel does not work.
Upcoming Software Update and Conclusion
Fisker is planning a 2.0 software update that promises a revised torque split, automatic vehicle hold, an energy meter for the solar roof, trailer sway mitigation, key fob enhancements, over-the-air update capability while charging, and reduced vampire drain. Despite these promised improvements, the reviewer believes it will take a long time for the car to become acceptably usable. While the fundamentals of the Fisker Ocean are solid, the numerous issues make it a frustrating and unreliable vehicle.
