Skip advert
Advertisement

Fisker Karma

We get behind the wheel of the range-extending Fisker Karma, as its first car is sold in the UK

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Fisker Karma
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

You can compare the Karma to an Aston Martin Rapide or other cheaper alternatively powered cars, like the Vauxhall Ampera, until you’re blue in the face, but there’s truly nothing like Fisker’s range-extender on the road. Its striking proportions are simply amazing to look at, while the build quality and luxury also impress. It also has a powertrain that offers a credible mix of performance and economy. It’s just a shame we’re still waiting for right-hand-drive cars to hit UK roads.

Advertisement - Article continues below

You can’t buy a Fisker Karma from a UK dealer and there's still no confirmed timescale for when right-hand-drive cars will become available. But that hasn’t stopped the California firm selling its first car in England from its European base in Germany to an unnamed premiership footballer. So what better excuse than to take the car that single-handedly made electric cars cool for a spin?

The Karma is proportioned like no other car on sale. It’s a strict four-seater, making it conceptually close to the Aston Martin Rapide. And while it’s roughly the same length and height as the Aston, the Karma is more than 20cm wider and its wheelbase is more than 17cm longer, making it appear ground-scrapingly low-slung.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Fiesta

2022 Ford

Fiesta

5,046 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £17,998
View Fiesta
Ibiza

2025 SEAT

Ibiza

13,284 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,485
View Ibiza
e-tron Sportback

2023 Audi

e-tron Sportback

23,430 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £25,790
View e-tron Sportback
Yaris Hybrid

2016 Toyota

Yaris Hybrid

43,831 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £9,722
View Yaris Hybrid

Its curvaceous body looks excellent, matched by classy details like the solar panels covering the roof, angular low-mounted air intakes on the front bumper and door handles that don’t move when you pull them – they incorporate a button on their underside which allows each door to spring open.

The driving position is very low, with a great sportscar view down the long bonnet that dives out of sight ahead of you. Our car sported the 'Eco Chic' interior option, which means all the wood is reclaimed from trees damaged in floods or forest fires, while the material on the dash top and seats isn’t derived from animal sources.

Advertisement - Article continues below

A small glass panel in the centre console contains what looks like fossilised leaves, adding to the natural theme, and this contrasts nicely with the hi-tech 10.2-inch iPad-esque touchscreen, which controls the infotainment and climate control functions.

Hit the start button to the right of the sci-fi-styled steering wheel, press D on the drive selector and nothing appears to happen. But press the accelerator in the default electric-only Stealth mode, and the Karma’s 22-inch alloys begin to turn in almost silence.

A little faster and the noise generator kicks in. It’s designed to warn pedestrians of your approach, and sounds like the thrumming guitar at the start of The Smiths hit ‘How soon is now?’.

The ride is pretty firm, given the large wheels, but it’s comfortable and easy to drive, with light steering and decent visibility despite its low-slung nature.

The noise generator fades out at 25mph, and, with a flick of the left paddle on the steering wheel, Sport mode is activated, turning the dials orange and kicking the 2.0-litre range-extender petrol engine into life.

Performance is surprisingly good, given its electric powertrain and hefty 2,404kg weight, with its sheer width and firm suspension giving flat, accurate cornering. However, it’s not quite the driver’s car that the Aston Rapide is.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More reviews

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £14,900
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,199 off RRP*Used from £15,337
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,233 off RRP*Used from £16,000
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: the one and only Nissan Juke for less than £150 per month
Nissan Juke - left cornering

Car Deal of the Day: the one and only Nissan Juke for less than £150 per month

Nissan’s best-selling small SUV just got a little bit cheaper and is our Deal of the Day for 26 April
News
26 Apr 2025