Consumer Reports offered its initial impression of the Fisker Karma after having to send it back to the dealer because of a battery problem.
Now that Consumer Reports has its Fisker Karma back from it’s emergency trip to the dealer, the magazine is ready to share its initial thoughts on the car.
In it’s first impression video, CR‘s Tom Mutchler starts by saying the obvious – the Karma is simply beautiful. Maybe more car designers should start car companies, only to have to give up the CEO’s chair … well, that’s another story.
Consumer Reports‘ initially purchased the $108,000 extended-range electric vehicle, but had to have it towed on a flatbed truck back to the dealer after nothing more involved than a speed calibration test. Fisker returned the car after two days with a new battery pack, replaced under warranty, of course.
CR said that while the car is certainly gorgeous, there are plenty of issues, such as interior space balanced against the size of the car. At nearly 5,400 pounds, it actually outweighs some versions of the Dodge Durango, yet seats only four and, because of the large battery in the center tunnel, the back seats are rather tight.
Click here to read TheDetroitBureau.com’s first drive of the Karma.
But the biggest knock against the car was a matter of trust. CR employees were reluctant to take the luxurious sedan on long trips for fear that it might leave them stranded. And not just because of the initial incident when a light on the Karma’s instrument panel came on, indicating a problem with the battery.
Besides noting the problems of several other Karma owners, CR said its car’s speedometer and energy usage meter suddenly went dark. Another trip to the dealer seems likely.
But the Karma definitely is a looker.
Click here to see Consumer Reports full story and first impression video.