The Fisker Ocean SUV has made headlines in the electric vehicle (EV) industry since its launch last year, but perhaps not in the way the company had hoped. The company is currently facing two investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one over brake failures and another because the electric SUV has been rolling away unintended.
There have also been reports that the Fisker Ocean is plagued by technical issues.
The latest hurdle comes from popular YouTube personality, Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, who has dubbed the Fisker Ocean the “worst car” he’s ever reviewed, touching on many of the same issues noted by early owners.
The journey to review the Fisker Ocean was unconventional from the start, with Brownlee’s team having to resort to acquiring the vehicle from a Mitsubishi dealership due to delays from Fisker itself. The situation became even more peculiar when Fisker, which somehow became aware of the acquisition, advised waiting for, what was at the time the upcoming 2.0 software update, before proceeding with the review. However, Brownlee proceeded to share his candid thoughts on the midsize electric crossover SUV as he said it was against his policy to wait to conduct his review.
Brownlee acknowledged the Ocean’s appealing design and comfortable seating, alongside its satisfactory driving experience and innovative features such as the solar panel roof. However, these positives were quickly overshadowed by a slew of issues that emerged during his time with the vehicle.
The car’s software felt incomplete, with no clear indication of the solar panels’ contribution to the range. The interior design choices, including unconventional storage solutions and the absence of a traditional glove box, left much to be desired.
Additionally, the vehicle’s driving modes were confusingly implemented, and the tech features, including the infotainment system and driver assistance systems, were plagued with glitches and unreliability. Brownlee couldn’t even get his mobile phone to sync to the Ocean SUV through the Bluetooth connection.
Brownlee’s review highlights the challenges faced by new entrants in the automotive industry, particularly in the EV segment. The Fisker Ocean’s ambitious design and feature set shows some promise, but the execution appears to have fallen short.
You can watch the full review below.
