2021 head-to-head · Subcompact Car

2021 Karma GS-6 vs Polestar 1

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
2021 Karma GS-6Plug-in hybrid
$1,496/ year to fuel
70 MPGe + 26 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
2021 Polestar 1Plug-in hybrid
$1,720/ year to fuel
58 MPGe + 26 MPG

AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 58 MPGe + 26 MPG

The 2021 Karma GS-6 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,496 a year to fuel (70 MPGe + 26 MPG), versus $1,720 for the 2021 Polestar 1 (58 MPGe + 26 MPG). That's roughly $224 a year, or about $1,120 over five years.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Karma GS-6
  • Polestar 1

Side by side

Karma GS-6Polestar 1
$1,496 Your annual fuel cost $1,720
70 MPGe + 26 MPG Combined efficiency 58 MPGe + 26 MPG
71 MPGe / 27 MPG City 55 MPGe / 22 MPG
69 MPGe / 25 MPG Highway 61 MPGe / 31 MPG
48 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) 57 kWh
330 mi Driving range 470 mi
61 mi All-electric range 52 mi
87 cu ft Passenger volume 72 cu ft
5 cu ft Cargo volume 4 cu ft
70 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 93 g/mi
9/10 EPA fuel economy score 9/10
10/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 10/10
6.2 hrs Charge time at 240V 9 hrs
Plug-in hybrid Powertrain Plug-in hybrid
Premium gas + electricity Fuel Premium gas + electricity
1.5L 3-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Single-speed Transmission 8-speed automatic
RWD Drivetrain AWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Karma GS-6 vs Polestar 1 across model years

  • Karma GS-6
  • Polestar 1

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

The Polestar 1 goes farther between stops: about 470 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 330 miles for the Karma GS-6.

Per EPA interior volume figures, the Karma GS-6 has more passenger space (87 vs. 72 cu ft); the Karma GS-6 has more cargo space (5 vs. 4 cu ft).

Among 34 2021 subcompact cars, the Karma GS-6 ranks 5th and the Polestar 1 6th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Karma GS-6 or the 2021 Polestar 1?

Measured by cost to drive, the Karma GS-6. The Karma GS-6 is rated 70 MPGe + 26 MPG combined and the Polestar 1 58 MPGe + 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Karma GS-6 vs. the Polestar 1 per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,496 for the Karma GS-6 and $1,720 for the Polestar 1.

Which has more range?

The Polestar 1: about 470 miles versus 330 miles.

Which has more cargo space?

The Karma GS-6, with 5 cu ft of luggage volume versus 4 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

More 2021 comparisons

Or compare the 2021 Karma GS-6 with anything else:

Keep exploring