- Fisker’s first production vehicle, the Ocean SUV, is finally setting sail in the U.S. market with deliveries finally happening this month.
- Reservation holders who selected the top-spec Extreme model with 20-inch wheels will be pleased with a 360-mile EPA range estimate.
- That long-range driving estimate tops the Ocean’s rivals in the electric-SUV category, setting Fisker up for a win as long as there are no additional production roadblocks.
Skeptics be damned, the Fisker Ocean electric SUV is finally set to make its splash in America. The handsomely designed compact crossover will also boast a generous 360-mile driving range, according to the EPA. That number bests that of rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Nissan Ariya, and even the Tesla Model Y.
The top-spec Extreme trim level with 20-inch wheels is the one with that big range number, due to its big 113.0-kWh battery pack, while lower-end models or Extreme trims with larger wheel diameters will, presumably, offer fewer miles per charge.
We’re looking forward to getting an Ocean Extreme into our office for testing. When we do, we’ll take the SUV on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route to see how its range estimate stands up to real-world driving. In our experience, EVs generally do not deliver their EPA estimated ranges in normal driving, but a 360-mile starting point should still put the Ocean at an advantage over competitors.
Although the Ocean started production in November 2022, the company has not yet been able to fulfill any of its U.S. orders due to a lengthy CARB certification process. Now that’s finally complete, and deliveries are set to begin this month.
The Ocean is being assembled in Austria by supplier Magna Steyr alongside high-end models such as the Mercedes-Benz G-class and the Jaguar I-Pace. European deliveries began in May 2023, with the first Ocean going to a buyer in Denmark.
Fisker has plans to build cars in the U.S. as well, starting with its Pear small SUV and perhaps eventually the Ronin flagship four-door convertible. The Pear, it’s said, will be manufactured in Lordstown, Ohio by supplier Foxconn.
Managing Editor, Buyer’s Guide
Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.
Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
