After a two-year journey of anticipation, I finally have the Fisker Ocean One in my driveway. The experience leading up to owning this vehicle was truly a journey of discovery, constantly learning new aspects about the car along the way. While actually having it now feels somewhat surreal after such a long wait, the exploration continues as I drive it and experience ongoing software updates.
So far, my experience with the Fisker Ocean One has been overwhelmingly positive. The build quality is impressive, and the driving dynamics are excellent. It’s packed with compelling, unique, and even quirky features that set it apart. I’m particularly impressed with the digital rear-view mirror, which I find to be a significant improvement over traditional mirrors. The ride is comfortable, and many elements of the car’s design demonstrate thoughtful engineering.
I opted for the Fisker Ocean One, which represents the limited-edition launch trim (only 5000 worldwide) of the Fisker Ocean model. Currently, the Ocean is the flagship model for Fisker, but the company has plans for future vehicles.
While I don’t yet feel I have enough extensive experience to provide a definitive, comprehensive review, I’ve received numerous questions about my purchase. Therefore, I wanted to share my initial impressions and the reasons behind my decision to buy the Fisker Ocean sight unseen. I can confidently say that I have no regrets or concerns. The car has met my high expectations, which is quite significant.
Many new Fisker owners are sharing positive feedback, and while it’s important to acknowledge potential “choice-supportive bias” (also known as post-purchase rationalization), the general consensus, particularly from the automotive press, is that the Ocean is a remarkable vehicle. It has garnered considerable accolades and awards, effectively filling a unique space in the evolving electric vehicle market.
A striking front view of the Fisker Ocean One, showcasing its modern design and distinctive lighting signature, features that have garnered attention in the electric SUV market.
Last quarter, Fisker announced its first revenue report, which was nearly half of market expectations. While this shortfall wasn’t entirely surprising given known delivery delays, the significant gap and apparent lack of market warning did raise questions about the company’s experience in managing market expectations as they scaled production.
Fisker faced an unexpected challenge by launching in both the US and Europe simultaneously. This placed a strain on resources as the company worked to manufacture and deliver 5000 pre-sold launch edition vehicles globally, alongside providing showroom models and general inventory. While this initial bottleneck has largely been resolved, it undoubtedly came at a cost. By the time my vehicle was delivered, the Fisker website was advertising readily available inventory at retail locations, somewhat diminishing the sense of being an early pioneer buyer.
The most frequent question I encounter is why I would purchase a car without even seeing a prototype in person. There were several compelling factors driving my decision. At the time of pre-order, the Ocean One represented exceptional value. Fisker incentivized early adopters with a fully loaded, limited-edition model at a price point more attractive than a comparably equipped Ocean Extreme (the current top-tier trim).
In 2023, Tesla initiated an EV price war, which disrupted established business models and led numerous manufacturers to postpone or scale back their EV strategies. Fisker largely maintained its course, likely anticipating the price war would be temporary, as the company wasn’t yet significantly engaged in vehicle sales during 2023. However, the price war persisted.
Some months later, Fisker responded by lowering the price of the Ocean Extreme. This price adjustment made the (mostly undelivered) Ocean One models appear less appealing in comparison. Fisker addressed this by offering a range of additional benefits to Ocean One buyers. These added perks, combined with my Ocean One’s eligibility for the federal tax rebate (which later buyers would not receive), solidified my initial purchase decision as a sound one.
I was in the market for a new car. My previous Infiniti reached its tenth year in 2023. I knew I wanted to transition to an electric vehicle. My experience with EVs dates back to 2014 when I purchased a Nissan Leaf. Even then, EV options were limited. Surprisingly, the variety of EV models remains somewhat constrained today, despite the impressive annual growth rate of approximately 50% in EV sales. Tesla dominates the EV market with undeniably strong vehicles. If I hadn’t chosen the Fisker Ocean, a Tesla Model Y, particularly during the price war, would have been my likely alternative.
The modern and minimalist interior of the Fisker Ocean, highlighting its large central touchscreen display and panoramic sunroof, elements contributing to its appeal.
Why didn’t I consider a hybrid? Simply put, I’m not a fan of hybrid vehicles. While hybrids might seem logical in certain contexts, and are often perceived as a stepping stone to full EVs, I disagree. Hybrids, in my view, combine the least desirable aspects of both EVs and traditional gasoline cars. The broader public is increasingly recognizing that EVs offer superior driving experiences, lower costs (in terms of manufacturing, maintenance, and operation), environmental benefits, and greater simplicity. Hybrids, rather than leading to this future, represent a more complex detour.
The Fisker Ocean captured my interest early on. I placed a refundable $250 deposit in the fall of 2021 to secure my position in the queue. From that point, I closely followed the car’s development and the company’s progress. Henrik Fisker actively used social media to introduce himself, his new company, and the Ocean. Fisker Inc. is his second venture into the EV industry. His first company, Fisker Automotive, founded in 2007, was arguably ahead of its time, launching years before Tesla’s rise to prominence. Fisker Automotive’s flagship model, the Fisker Karma, was and remains a stunning vehicle. Henrik Fisker also boasts significant design credentials from his tenures at BMW and Aston Martin. The appeal of a car company CEO with a designer’s background was a significant factor in my interest in Fisker Cars.
A nonrefundable deposit was required in July 2022 to secure a limited-edition Ocean One. By this stage, the perceived risk seemed reasonable. “Start of Production” (SoP) was projected for approximately five months later. While some risk was inherent, even established automotive brands face their own sets of challenges. The complexities surrounding GM’s Bolt/Volt saga remain a case in point.
Manufacturing, particularly establishing the infrastructure to build vehicles at scale, is a major hurdle for new car manufacturers. Fisker effectively addressed this by partnering with Magna Steyr, a contract vehicle manufacturer. Magna Steyr, while Canadian-owned, operates a state-of-the-art production facility in Austria and has extensive experience working with brands like Mercedes and BMW. This partnership meant the Ocean would be built by a leading, experienced manufacturer in a cutting-edge, environmentally conscious factory.
Henrik Fisker draws an analogy to Apple designing chips that are then manufactured by TSMC. The decision to utilize overseas manufacturing predated the US Inflation Reduction Act. This legislative change subsequently made the Fisker Ocean ineligible for US tax credits for new purchases. However, my Ocean One, ordered before the law’s enactment, qualified for the rebate. Fisker’s future EV, the PEAR (Personal Electric Automotive Revolution), is planned for US production through a partnership with Foxconn.
The collaboration with Magna Steyr offered three key advantages: Firstly, Fisker Inc. avoided the substantial financial investment and operational learning curve associated with establishing its own manufacturing. Secondly, Magna’s deep expertise in vehicle production ensured industry best practices (and advanced machinery) were integrated into the Ocean’s manufacturing process. Lastly, Magna acquired an equity stake in Fisker, creating a strong alignment of interests between supplier and vendor. While our Volvo has exhibited some rattles, our Fisker Ocean is notably solid and rattle-free.
Design, check. Manufacturing, check. Let’s delve into the engineering and materials. Fisker aimed to create the most sustainable vehicle possible. The Ocean incorporates a significant amount of recycled and synthetic materials. In comparison, our Volvo, with its extensive use of wood and leather, now feels somewhat extravagant in its material choices.
The Fisker Ocean stands out as the first production vehicle to integrate solar panels into its roof. While some might consider this a gimmick, given the current popularity of glass roofs, adding a functional purpose to that surface area makes sense. The Ocean also boasts several other “firsts,” including digital radar, a large 17-inch touchscreen, and unique “taco trays.” It’s a dual-motor, 550 HP SUV (with an available trailering package) that delivers impressive acceleration and range, exceeding typical category benchmarks. Uniquely, all six side windows, along with the tailgate window and sunroof, are operable. Fisker, headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, is an American automaker led by a European designer, with the Ocean manufactured in Austria.
The more I researched and learned about the Fisker Ocean, the more appealing it became. I reasoned that waiting to physically see and test drive the car would likely mean missing out on owning one in 2023. In hindsight, I barely received mine in 2023, and now new models are readily available. The timing was tighter than anticipated!
While Fisker excelled in design and manufacturing, the software aspect proved to be more challenging than anticipated, both for me and, presumably, for Henrik Fisker as well. The Ocean, like many modern vehicles, is essentially a computer on wheels. Upon launch, the Ocean’s software had a higher number of bugs than ideal. My Ocean arrived with software version 1.1.0. Within a week, it received an over-the-air update to 1.1.1, and the company has communicated its intentions for further updates throughout Q1. Significant software improvements are on the horizon.
Would I pre-order a car again in the future? Honestly, at this point, I would have to say no. This isn’t primarily due to the car itself, but more about the timing and market dynamics. I initially expected delivery of this vehicle 6-9 months earlier. “Start of Production” was announced for November 2022, and the 5000 pre-sold Ocean One vehicles were intended to be the first produced and delivered. One of Henrik Fisker’s early selling points was the Ocean’s advanced technology, attributed to its compressed development timeline. This particular point hasn’t been emphasized as much in the past year or so.
The landscape has shifted considerably in the past two-plus years. Some deposit holders are now seeking refunds on their nonrefundable deposits, citing delays and incomplete features. For me, a second car has transitioned from a necessity to more of a luxury. Globally, we’ve experienced shifts from quiet quitting to layoffs, from near-zero interest rates to high interest rates, and from vehicle shortages to surpluses. #GoFigure.
A close-up of the Fisker Ocean’s charging port, highlighting its integration into the vehicle’s design and the growing infrastructure supporting electric vehicle charging.
Will Fisker as a company survive and thrive? I am optimistic. Realistically, the Ocean is unlikely to become an “orphan” model. It’s more probable that an established automotive brand would acquire Fisker before the company were to fail. The Ocean is receiving substantial positive attention. It has secured sales approval in North America, Europe, India, and China, and is available in right-hand drive configurations. The model lineup includes three trim levels, ranging from approximately $30,000 to $60,000. This startup has achieved more with a single model than many established car brands have accomplished in the broader EV sector.
More likely than not, Fisker Inc. is poised to navigate the challenges and move forward successfully. As the backlog of pre-sold vehicles diminishes, the initial delivery complexities should subside. The company has been strategically opening direct-to-consumer retail showrooms worldwide.
Looking beyond the Ocean, Fisker has announced several forthcoming models. The new PEAR is anticipated to retail around $30,000 in 2026 and is targeted towards urban drivers. The Alaska pickup truck is envisioned as an extended and adapted version of the Ocean platform. Additionally, a high-performance sports car is in development, clearly reflecting Henrik Fisker’s design expertise. The future for Fisker cars looks promising.
