The Karma nameplate has a long and less-than-glittering history. First appearing as a hybrid-powered GT sedan from Fisker Automotive in the late 2000s, the original Karma only lasted for about a year before biting the dust. Fisker Automotive produced less than 2,700 examples before it went bankrupt in 2013, after which the Wanxiang Group Corporation bought up the remaining assets. Recently renamed to Karma Automotive, the company charges headlong into the premium hybrid GT segment with the Revero. The Revero first appeared in 2016 for the 2017 model year, and now it is getting a refresh with a new look, updated interior, and powertrain parts sourced from the BMW i8.

2020 Karma Revero GT Exterior Styling

From the off, the 2020 Karma Revero GT should look pretty familiar. In case you were unaware, Fisker is responsible for a long list of tasty-looking automobiles, including the Aston Martin DB9, BMW Z8, and the VLF Rocket. More recently, Fisker created the design for the EMotion, the first model from his new car company, Fisker Inc. All told, Fisker knows how to make a snazzy-looking piece of design, and Karma Automotive was smart enough not to mess with it too much. We think the style stays fresh by today’s standards.

That said, there are a few small differences to point out compared to the original Karma, and the original Revero for that matter. The front grille also looks different, with a solid, singular intake that stretches from corner to corner, rather than the bisected “mustache” or the original. Reimagined lower intake now sports a single section versus the shapely rounded sections of the original. Chrome trim bits are still prominent throughout but have been relocated to enhance the car’s visual width even further. Overall, we think the new updates give the 2020 Revero GT a more “Aston Martin-esque” appearance than before. I have to remind you that Aston Martin actually sued Fisker in 2015 for the Thunderbolt. With it, Aston Martin supported its claim about the Fisker similarity to previous designs. However, this latest update is direct from Karma Automotive, so we doubt Aston will have any problem with it.

For example, the rear end now gets a duckbill-style spoiler on the trunk, while the exhaust pipe just behind the front wheels gets a reshape. Shame about that latter bit - we’re not fans of spent gasses wafting in through the window. The rest of it is as it was with the outgoing model. The proportions are in a classic GT style, with a cab-back position and a long hoodline. The window line rises towards massively flared rear fenders, giving it a rakish stance. Up top, there’s still a photovoltaic roof to soak up more electricity on sunny days.

The latest 2020 model year also brings reshaped taillights, which help to bookend the car’s new front end with slinkier, slimmer housings. The lower character line also looks different thanks to extra chrome trim that runs the width of the tail section, as opposed to the chrome “dimples” seen on the original Revero. The rear buttresses are also more pronounced on the 2020 model year, emphasizing the trunk section and new spoiler lip. As previously mentioned, we think it’s a great piece of design, and it definitely deserves to stick around for at least a few more years. All told, we’re hopeful for the future, especially when you consider Karma Automotive has partnered with Pininfarina in the past for concepts. That means we could see some pretty spectacular designs from the boutique automaker for any following model updates.

2020 Karma Revero GT exterior dimensions

2020 Karma Revero GT Interior Design

2020 Karma Revero GT features a slightly redesigned interior compared to the Fisker Karma. Modernization backed by Karma owners included installation of:

-* A new steering wheel with haptic touch controls

-* A digital instrument cluster

-* An all-new, sleek, and smooth infotainment system with an all-new screen

-* New personalization options

While the changes to the interior mostly seem to be superficial, the truth is that the Karma Revero interior inherited a sexy and alluring styling imagined back in the 2000s when Fisker showed the Karma S. It is the same story with the exterior of the Revero. If this were, say, a Maserati, everyone would be lining up to buy one.

Nevertheless, Karma officials praise the Revero GT's cabin for the high-end craftsmanship and attention to details matched only by the best in the business. Yet, find any of 2,700 produced Fisker Karmas, and you will see poor quality inside. Even though it looks quite nice, mind you.

Hopefully, the Karma Revero GT handled obvious quality issues. Quite an extensive list of equipment gives me some hope that that is the case.

Among a multitude of standard equipment featured, the Revero GT has:

-* Palisades Sports leather

-* Luxury floor mats

-* Special trunk mat

-* Three-tone interior

-* Bluetooth

-* Wifi

-* Stylishly integrated four cup holders (two up front and two at the back)

-* Privacy glass

-* The central console between the seats that stretches from front to the back

-* Heated seats front and back

-* Eight speakers and a subwoofer

I've listed the 2020 Karma Revero GT's equipment to show you that this is a reasonably modern vehicle. One with the ISOFIX preparation at that. There's not much space there. I don't know the exact number of inches for the legroom, but I do know it is less than in the Aston Martin Rapide, which has 28.5 inches of leg room.

2020 Karma Revero GT Drivetrain And Performance

Karma turned to the professionals at BMW to equip its Revero S with a proper, modern propulsion system.

Karma managed to save a bit of weight by installing a smaller engine. The other significant change is the integration of the lighter battery pack. Remember, we have made some advancements with battery technology since Fisker revealed the first Karma.

The new 2020 Karma Revero GT weighs in at 5,050 pounds. That's 350 pounds below the 2018 Karma Revero.

Such a significant change had a massive impact on the driving characteristics and performance. With less weight to handle, the 22-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 tires will hold the road better and, with 535 electric horsepower, the Revero GT will get to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. That's about a second quicker than before. Maybe even more. The ride is nicer too. After all, thick leather pieces on virtually all surfaces cocoon the occupants. It's quite a beautiful place to be.

After that, the range extender will kick in.

So, the Revero GT is lighter, quicker, can cover more miles on electricity alone, and it rides better. Also, it will be easier on fuel. You can expect as much as 50 mpg in the real world. Quite a performer then.

2020 Karma Revero GT drivetrain specifications

2020 Karma Revero GT Prices

The 2020 Karma Revero GT's price will sit in the neighborhood of $140,000. And this is a generous estimation.

I'll tell you why!

The last Karma Revero set you back around $130,000. The new Karma Revero GT has some notable improvements over it. First of all, it has a propulsion system developed with BMW, not GM; the interior quality is far better, the car is faster, quicker, and can cover more ground on electricity. Plus, it has an extensive list of standard equipment that includes a contemporary infotainment system and connectivity options.

All of this cost money! Now I feel that the $140,000 price estimation is too generous. The 2020 Karma Revero GT could touch $150,000.

Following its introduction in the U.S., the Revero GT will reach Europe, and finally Asian markets. The company promised quite high production numbers too - 12,000-13,000 units annually. I don't buy it, but let's see how it develops.

2020 Karma Revero GT Competition

Tesla Model S

Yes, the Tesla Model S is all-electric, but still competitor here. For the price of the 2020 Karma Revero GT, you can get the best possible 2020 Tesla Model S P100D. Yes, that ludicrous model. That makes the Revero GT somewhat obsolete. See, the Karma Revero GT will never have that X-factor of the Model S, even though it is a thousand times better-looking car. Apart from incredible straight-line performance, the Model S is roomier inside, can fit a whole lot of things in its frunk and trunk (Revero GT has 78+ cubic feet cargo capacity which is dismal), and you can be a part of the Elon Musk sect with it. Can't do that with the Revero GT. Does that make the Karma Revero GT a better car then?

Read our full review on the 2018 Tesla Model S

Aston Martin Rapide S

The real competition the 2020 Karma Revero GT has to fight is the astonishingly gorgeous Aston Martin Rapide S. With a price of well over $200,000, the Aston Martin Rapide S takes the luxury four-door touring to a whole nother level. It is sophisticated, powered by a V-12, and it can cruise at 200 mph (203 mph actually). That's what kills miles on the autobahns. Yes, you can say that it is an old car - after all, Aston Martin revealed its first version back in 2009. Much the same time when Fisker uveiled the Karma. See the problem. The Karma Revero GT is an old car too. Only nicely refreshed.

Read our full review on the 2018 Aston Martin Rapide S

Porsche Panamera 4E Hybrid

Now we come to the big boy - the Porsche Panamera 4E Hybrid. It starts at just over $100,000 (its cheaper than the Karma Revero GT), it has a hybrid system with an output of 457 horsepower (close enough), it will reach 60 mph in 4.4 seconds (quicker than the Revero GT), and it has Porsche quality. Honestly, if you want to achieve a balance between price, quality, performance, looks, reason, and emotion, this is the best four-door grand tourer imaginable.

Read our full review on the 2018 Porsche Panamera 4E Hybrid

Final Thoughts

Located in Moreno Valley, a city in Southern California, Karma Automotive definitely has some California flair. Coupled with Wanxiang Group Corporation money from China, the 2020 Karma Revero GT may have more success than the Fisker Karma ever had. Nevertheless, I feel that this is still just a curiosity on the market. In fact, I'd like to see this design somewhere else; say under the plaque of Aston Martin or Maserati.

It is not going to happen though.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2017 Karma Revero.

Read our full driven review on the 2011 Fisker Karma.

Read our full review on the 2019 Fisker EMotion.