The Golf Cart Showdown

STREET-LEGAL CART SHOWDOWN · SLCS · TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA · How we make money — dealers pay for introductions; no brand pays for rank.

Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD) vs. Star EV J Model 4

By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Sep 26, 2026

WinnerStar EV J Model 4

Star EV J Model 4 takes it. It wins on the better price. These sit in different divisions (premium vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly. The full side-by-side of verified specs is below — every figure carries a source and a verification date.

Key takeaways

  • The Star EV J Model 4 beats the Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD) on the better price. They sit in different divisions (premium vs value), so weigh the price gap.
  • Florida out-the-door (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD) lands about $16,247 and the Star EV J Model 4 about $14,503, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD) and the Star EV J Model 4 are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD) vs. Star EV J Model 4

COMPARISON · ARIES-EV-SIGNATURE-4-FORWARD-2WD-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4
LAST VERIFIED 09/26/2026
Aries EVSignature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD)Star EVJ Model 4Winner
MSRP range$14,995 – $15,995$13,350
Top speed25 mph†125 mph†2
Top speed as delivered—19.5 mph†2
Range (low)—31 mi†2
Range (high)—31 mi†2
Battery typelithium†3lithium†2
Battery capacity105 Ah†3105 Ah†2
System voltage48 V†348 V†2
Seats4†34†2
Length—120 in†2
Width—47 in†2
Height80.4 in†175 in†2
Curb weight—1,279 lb†2
Motor power5 kW†35 kW†2
BrakesHydraulic disc†1Front disc, rear mechanical drum with foot parking brake†2
SuspensionPerformance adjustable coilovers†3McPherson coil spring front†2
Display size10.1 in✓†17 in†2
Warranty2 yr†42 yr†2
Battery warranty (total term)10 yr✓†46.5 yr†5
Battery full-replacement coverage—3.5 yr†5
Battery warranty terms—6.5 years: free replacement through month 42, then a new pack at 50%, 60% and 70% of retail to month 78†5
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes†6Yes†2
Ground clearance—4 in†2
Turning radius—15 ft†2
Range, normalized◆ computed~40 mi~40 mi

◆ Range, normalized is our figure, not the maker's: each pack's energy at a standard 0.125 kWh/mile, the same on every cart — an apples-to-apples check on the “up to” range claims above, which are usually measured at 19 mph on the largest optional pack.

†1 SOURCE: ariesev.com · VERIFIED 09/25/2026†2 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†3 SOURCE: ariesev.com · VERIFIED 08/01/2026†4 SOURCE: ariesev.com · VERIFIED 09/25/2026†5 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†6 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 08/01/2026

◆ The verdict

Star EV J Model 4

It wins on the better price. These sit in different divisions (premium vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly.

Save $1,645 vs the Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD)

Winner

Why it won

price$13,350 vs $14,995

◆ Price the fight — Florida out-the-door

Florida out-the-door estimates (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD) lands at about $16,247 and the Star EV J Model 4 at about $14,503, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD)base build · FL out-the-door

Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD)MSRP from (verified) — ranges to $15,995 by trim$14,995.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$949.70
Title + initial registration (est.)FLHSMV: $77.25 new title + $225 one-time initial registration$302.25
DeliveryQuoted by the dealer — we never guess this number—
Out-the-door estimate$16,247

est. $260.44/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.

Star EV J Model 4base build · FL out-the-door

Star EV J Model 4MSRP (verified)$13,350.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$851.00
Title + initial registration (est.)FLHSMV: $77.25 new title + $225 one-time initial registration$302.25
DeliveryQuoted by the dealer — we never guess this number—
Out-the-door estimate$14,503

est. $232.49/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.

METHODOLOGY — what's verified, what's estimated
Cart MSRP and kit prices are sourced and dated (see each model page's receipts). Tax = 6% FL state + 1% county surtax on the first $5,000 (Fla. Stat. §212.05 / §212.054 — surtax varies by county). Fees = $77.25 FLHSMV new title + $225 one-time initial registration. Plate/annual registration vary by weight and county and are small. Delivery is quoted by the dealer — we never guess it. Your firm number comes from the named dealers in the quote step.
Compared & SourcedVERIFIED 09/2026

Green ✓ marks the better verified figure where the two differ. Verdict scored on the verified specs above — factory-LSV status gates the win.

Rather skip the configurator? Get a dealer quote on either cart:

Frequently asked

Is the Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD) or the Star EV J Model 4 better?
Star EV J Model 4 takes it. It wins on the better price. These sit in different divisions (premium vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD) and J Model 4 cost out the door in Florida?
Florida out-the-door estimates (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Aries EV Signature 4-Forward 2WD (S4F 2WD) lands at about $16,247 and the Star EV J Model 4 at about $14,503, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery. MSRPs are verified and sourced; taxes and fees are labeled estimates with the method disclosed. Configure both carts with kits at golfcartshowdown.com/build/compare.