2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels): MPG and fuel economy
The 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) is a plug-in hybrid rated at 22 combined MPG by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It returns 22 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway.
This page collects every fuel-economy figure the EPA publishes for the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels). Below you will find the headline combined, city, and highway MPG, the estimated annual fuel cost at three different driving levels, the tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and a full breakdown of the engine and drivetrain.
Key takeaways
- The most efficient car in the Subcompact Cars class for the 2021 model year is the BMW i3 at 113 MPG.
- EPA estimates this car saves around $2,250 in fuel over five years compared with an average new vehicle of the same model year.
- Requires premium gasoline, which typically adds about 40 to 60 cents per gallon to the EPA's annual fuel cost estimate.
Fuel economy at a glance
These are the EPA's official ratings for the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels). The numbers come from a standardised laboratory test cycle and are the same figures that appear on the window sticker of every new car. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, weather, fuel quality, and how heavily loaded the car is.
Combined MPG is a 55/45 weighted blend of the city and highway test cycles. The EPA uses it as the single number you can compare across the entire dataset, including hybrids and EVs (which use the equivalent MPGe figure).
| Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
| City MPG | 22 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 21 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,150 |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 96 g/mi |
| Fuel type | Premium Gas or Electricity |
How the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) compares
The 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) returns 22 combined MPG. Cars in the Subcompact Cars class for the same model year average 26.5 MPG, which puts this car behind the class average by about 17%.
The most efficient car in the Subcompact Cars class for the 2021 model year is the BMW i3 at 113 MPG. The bar chart below puts the Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) alongside the class best and the class average so you can see the full picture.
For broader context, the average new car of the 2021 model year (across all classes) returns 27.9 MPG. Larger vehicles pull the all-cars average down, so do not use that figure on its own to judge a small car or a hybrid. The full list of the most efficient cars of the 2021 model year is on its own page.
Annual fuel cost across driving patterns
The headline annual fuel cost the EPA publishes assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a fuel mix of 55% city and 45% highway. The dollar figure is calculated using the EPA's current reference price for premium gasoline, which is $4.61/gallon. EPA updates that reference periodically rather than tracking live pump prices, so treat it as a window-sticker estimate rather than today's pump number.
The table below scales the EPA's number to three common driving patterns. The combined MPG and the reference fuel price stay constant, only the annual mileage changes. To get a current-prices estimate, take your local gas price and multiply by 681.8 gallons (the car's annual consumption at the rated MPG).
| Driving pattern | Estimated annual fuel cost |
|---|---|
| Light driver, 7,500 miles per year | $1,575 |
| Average driver, 15,000 miles per year | $3,150 |
| Heavy driver, 25,000 miles per year | $5,250 |
Compare against other Subcompact Cars for 2021
If you are cross-shopping the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels), the most useful comparison is against the other cars in the Subcompact Cars class for the same model year. The list below shows the highest-MPG peers, ranked from most to least efficient. Click any of them to open its full page.
The BMW i3 leads this group at 113 MPG, 91 MPG ahead of the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels).
Specifications
The 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) runs a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with a automatic (a1), sending power through rear-wheel drive.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain together drive most of the variation in fuel economy across trims. A larger engine moves the car with less effort but burns more fuel. A turbo lets a small engine punch above its weight, often without much MPG penalty. All-wheel drive adds traction and weight, and usually costs a couple of MPG compared with two-wheel drive of the same engine.
- Vehicle class
- Subcompact Cars
- Engine
- 1.5L 3-cylinder turbocharged
- Transmission
- Automatic (A1)
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel type
- Premium Gas or Electricity
- Annual petroleum use
- 3.3 barrels per year
- Start-stop system
- Yes
Common questions about the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels)
Quick answers to the questions people most often search for when looking up the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels).
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Is the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) fuel efficient?
Not particularly. The 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) returns 22 combined MPG, which trails the average car in the Subcompact Cars class for the same model year by about 17%. -
What MPG does the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) at 22 combined MPG, 22 MPG in city driving, and 21 MPG on the highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style, the weather, and how loaded the car is. -
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) per year?
The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $3,150 for the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels). That figure assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year, a 55% city and 45% highway split, and the EPA's published average fuel price for the rated fuel grade. -
Does the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) require premium gas?
Yes. The EPA lists the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) as requiring premium gasoline. Running it on regular can reduce performance and may affect engine warranties, so it is not a recommended way to save at the pump. -
How much CO₂ does the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) emit?
Tailpipe CO₂ emissions are 96 g/mi. Multiplied across a typical year of driving (15,000 miles) that works out to about 1,440 kilograms of CO₂. -
What is the difference between the city and highway MPG of the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels)?
City driving returns 22 MPG and highway driving returns 21 MPG. A flat (or city-better) split is the signature of a hybrid or electric drivetrain, where regenerative braking recovers energy that would otherwise be lost in stop-start city traffic. -
What engine is in the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels)?
The 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) has a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine (EPA description: SIDI; PHEV). Smaller turbocharged engines like this one tend to deliver bigger-engine power on demand while keeping fuel economy closer to a non-turbo version of the same displacement. -
What transmission and drivetrain does the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) have?
The 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) comes with a automatic (a1) transmission and rear-wheel drive. -
How does the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) compare to the best car in its class?
The most efficient car in the Subcompact Cars class for the 2021 model year is the BMW i3 at 113 combined MPG. The Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) returns 22 MPG, a gap of 91 MPG. If you are comparing on fuel economy alone, the class leader is worth a look. -
How much does the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) save on fuel compared to an average car?
The EPA estimates that over five years, the 2021 Karma GS-6 (22-inch wheels) will save you about $2,250 in fuel compared with an average new vehicle of the same model year. That figure uses the same 15,000 mile per year and EPA fuel-price assumption as the annual fuel cost.
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost figures assume 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split. Real-world mileage varies with driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, fuel quality, and driver behaviour.