Tesla Model Y vs Fisker Ocean: The electric SUV showdown

It’s time for another electric showdown, but this time we’re pitting the fan-favourite Tesla Model Y against the more unknown Fisker Ocean.

Can this brave new disruptor knock the EV king off his throne?

Over the past decade-ish, Tesla have established themselves as a firm favourite among EV connoisseurs. The Model S was launched in 2012 to great fanfare, but it was when the Tesla Model 3 was released in 2017 that Tesla really became the go-to brand for performance-led, but affordable, electric driving.

Tesla’s grip on electric leasing has held firm, with nearly no other brand managing to take the crown from the American brand’s electric head.

That is, until now.

Introducing: Fisker.

Fisker also hails from across the pond, a firmly Californian brand with an interesting backstory and a mission to be the most sustainable EV brand.

Bold claims from a bold start-up.

But Fisker isn’t your run-of-the-mill start-up. In fact, this is not CEO Henrik Fisker’s first go at a car company, and he’s taken everything he’s learnt and poured it into this new brand.

And Fisker’s first car, the Fisker Ocean, is really something quite special.

But if you’re after your next car lease, should you hold out for the UK launch of the Ocean, or go with the very good and well-established Tesla? We’ve put the two cars head-to-head in a bid to help you make that tricky decision.

Overview

There is no mistaking the Fisker Ocean for anything but an American SUV.

In fact, Henrik Fisker has gone as far as to say that the company’s first car couldn’t have been anything but an SUV. And as far as big, practical cars go, it’s a very good one.

It’s all sharp lines and swooping angles, with super-slim LED headlights that might not be to everyone’s taste, but certainly make the Ocean stand out in a line-up.

There’s a lot of glass involved with this one too, giving the upper half of the Ocean an airy feel, with the sweeping side glass finishing in an opening ‘doggy window’ behind the B-pillar. The clever styling details manage to disguise most of the car’s bulk, however, making it appear much sportier and less SUV-y than it actually is.

The Tesla Model Y, while also an SUV, takes the styling in a different direction. It’s essentially a beefed-up Model 3, taking the same styling cues – big headlights, swoopy lines, sort of squat feel – and elevating them into a bigger, more family-friendly vehicle.

And it’s worked.

The Model Y was the third best-selling car in the world in 2022, coming in behind more established family favourites like the Nissan Qashqai and the Vauxhall Corsa.

It’s easy to see why it’s managed to catch up so quickly.

The Model Y has total kerb appeal, along with plenty of space and all the additional touches you could ever need (along with plenty you didn’t know you need) to make it a practical family car, without losing out on performance or looks. 

It’s swiftly become a fan favourite.

But could the Fisker Ocean be about to knock it off its podium?

Interior

If you’ve ever seen a Tesla, or even heard about a Tesla, you’ll likely know that they’re known for their minimalist cabins.

And the Model Y is no exception.

Other than the mammoth touchscreen that dominates the dashboard, there’s not much else going on inside the Model Y.

At least, not anything that is visible to the eye. There’s plenty of clever tech and little touches that are designed to not only make your day easier, but also make the drive much more fun.

But it’s clean, modern and spacious, with more than enough room for you and the family to stretch out and get comfortable.

There’s plenty of cabin storage included too, so you can tuck away all your odds and ends – and emergency snacks – as well as two wireless smartphone charging pads and four USB-C sockets dotted around the car.

While there’s nothing truly ground-breaking about the interior of the Model Y, it certainly does the job.

The interior of the Fisker Ocean reflects the innovative thinking behind the brand, and the premium fit and finish gives the interior a spacious, but luxurious feel.

There are no gloveboxes to be seen in the Ocean. Fisker say that people generally only use the glovebox to stash paperwork in, and so they’ve replaced it with a useful pull-out tray for the passenger.

They’ve not forgotten about the driver either – there’s a second tray that pulls out from under the central armrest for the driver. Fisker have said it’s for driver who might want a little snack when they’ve pulled over, and so they’ve named it the ‘Taco Tray’.

Other snacks are, of course, available.

We reckon you could have a lovely car charcuterie between the two trays, without having to worry about cutting a block of cheese on your knee.

Fisker have also given the Ocean a lot of opening windows, including the four regular windows, the sunroof and the doggy windows. Roll them all down, and you’ll get as close to an open top car as possible, without it actually being open top.

Genius.

Practicality

The Fisker Ocean is an SUV at heart, even if it is a very fancy one, and so it brings with it all the practicalities that SUV buyers want.

The boot clocks in at a generous 476L with the seats up, expanding 918L with the seats down. The floor of the boot even folds up for more storage, with cables and a luggage cover. There’s even a couple of hooks to secure your shopping bags, and stop your haul from ending up all over the boot.

Only got a couple of bits to chuck in the boot?

No problem – the rear glass drops independently, so you can throw your handbag in without having to faff.

Fisker have also fiddled with the space in the back, to make it more comfortable for whoever gets the dreaded middle seat. EVs generally are nicer anyway, with a flat floor and no need to fight for foot space, but Fisker have also raised the centre console, so you can slide your feet further forward.

But if boot space is top of your wishlist, then you’ll want to lean towards a Tesla Model Y lease.

The Tesla’s boot clocks in at an impressive 854L, with an additional 117L ‘frunk’ in the bonnet. There are very few rivals that stack up to this sort of space. 

And we’ve tested it – if you’re moving house any time soon, the Model Y will prove a surprisingly effective companion, with the ability to fit around four large boxes and six medium size boxes in the back with the seats down.

The Model Y also has a flat floor in the rear, and it’s more than spacious enough for five adults to stretch out, even on those longer journeys.

Technology

If there’s one thing Tesla will go down in the history books for, it’s their innovative technology.

The 15.4in screen is the focal point of the whole car, and it’s one of the best infotainment systems on the market. Crisp, clear, and alarmingly responsive, you can control everything you could ever think of direct from the screen.

When you’re on the move, the Model Y’s navigation system is brilliant. You can even plot a route, and the car will tell you if you’ll be able to make it on the charge you’ve got. 

If the car needs more juice? 

Not a problem – the Model Y will point you in the direction of the most convenient Supercharger on route, and even precondition the battery so it’s primed for a fast charge.

Tesla have also added in plenty of fun Easter eggs too, both for when you’re on the move and when you’re parked up. Bored of the regular sat nav map? Set your navigation to Mario Kart mode, and enjoy the nostalgia-fest that is watching your kart move through the rainbow road.

Waiting for the kids to get out of school? You can either treat yourself to an episode of your favourite Netflix show, or indulge in the range of games Tesla provides.

Sure, these added extras aren’t, strictly speaking, totally necessary. But they do make life that little bit more enjoyable.

Not ones to be outdone, Fisker have also put a lot of time, money and effort into their technology offering.

The large touchscreen on the dash rotates into what they’re calling ‘Hollywood mode,’ so you can watch a movie while you’re waiting for the car to charge. Again, not a necessity. But a nice touch, especially for those longer journeys where you might have to stop for longer than you would in a petrol or diesel car.

Fisker have put a lot of thought into the layout of their touchscreen too.

Whatever you’re doing on the screen, there’s always a portion of it that will display your navigation instructions, so whether you’re changing the song or adjusting the air con, you’re not going to lose where you are.

The overall experience of the touchscreen is very good, though there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto just yet. This could come later, via an over-the-air software update, but Fisker want you to interact with its own systems first. 

Specifications and range

There are three trim levels on offer with the Fisker Ocean.

The entry-level Sport model is very well priced for the premium fit and finish, though it does do without some of the most advanced tech. As standard, the Sport trim comes with a full-length panoramic sunroof, all the interior tech except the swivelling screen, Fisker Intelligent Pilot, two-wheel drive and an 80kWh battery with a claimed range of 273 miles.

The mid-tier Ultra car is likely to become the brand’s best-seller. It gets everything the Sport model gets, but with a whopping great 105kWh battery that gives the Ocean a claimed range of up to 440 miles.

If you want impressive range, then you’ll want to go for the Ocean over the Tesla Model Y.

And if you want all the fancy tech, then the top-spec Extreme model will be the right Ocean for you. It has the same mammoth battery, but adds some additional fun bits like a solar panel on the roof that can add additional charge when the sun is out. 

Saving money just by leaving your car in the sun? We love it.

The Tesla Model Y doesn’t operate with your traditional trim levels.

Instead, there are three variants on offer: the base rear-drive Model Y, a dual-motor Long Range, and a Performance model.

Whatever is most important to you – value for money, range, or performance – will dictate which variant is right for you, but all three come loaded with the same innovative tech.

This standard kit includes LED headlights, alloy wheels, two-zone climate control, panoramic glass roof, heated seats, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and all the apps like Spotify, Netflix and Disney+, along with Tesla’s Toybox and various games.

In terms of range, the Long Range variant hits the big bucks with a claimed range of up to 331 miles, while the more affordable entry-level model can still do a respectable 283 miles on a single charge.

The only other choice you need to make is whether to stick with the standard Autopilot system, that uses cameras to enable the driver assistance functions, which helps to detect other cars, prevent collisions and assist with parking, or upgrade to the Enhanced Autopilot (maintains lane position, change lanes, and park itself), or the Full Self-Driving, which can recognise and react to traffic lights.

Verdict

We're not going to lie to you, this is a tough one to call.

The Tesla Model Y and the Fisker Ocean are both so good, standing out in a market that is becoming increasingly crowded, that you won't be disappointed with whichever you choose.

Both are crammed with the latest tech Silicon Valley has to offer, and both offer the unparalleled electric driving experience that comes with owning an EV - as well as the money that can be saved. There's a reason that a Tesla Model Y business lease is so popular, and it has a lot to do with the reduced rates of Benefit in Kind tax and lower running costs.

If it's range that you're after, then the Fisker Ocean with the big battery and claimed range of over 400 miles makes the most sense, but if phenomenal performance is at the top of your wishlist, then the Tesla Model Y Performance is the car for you.

As for us?

We'll take one of each.