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.

Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV vs. E-Z-GO Liberty LSV

By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Jul 15, 2026

WinnerE-Z-GO Liberty LSV

E-Z-GO Liberty LSV takes it. It wins on the better power. It's also the only factory-certified LSV of the two — the 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV is street-legal only by dealer package or self-attestation. These sit in different divisions (value vs. premium), 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 E-Z-GO Liberty LSV beats the Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV on the better power. They sit in different divisions (value vs premium), so weigh the price gap.
  • Range: the Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV goes up to 80 mi per charge vs the E-Z-GO Liberty LSV's 40 mi.
  • Florida out-the-door (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV lands about $13,601 and the E-Z-GO Liberty LSV about $17,099, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • The E-Z-GO Liberty LSV is a factory-certified LSV (NHTSA vPIC–verified); the Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV is street-legal only by dealer package or self-attestation.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV vs. E-Z-GO Liberty LSV

COMPARISON · BACKYARD-ESCAPISM-4-FORWARD-VS-EZGO-LIBERTY-LSV
LAST VERIFIED 07/15/2026
Backyard Escapism4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSVE-Z-GOLiberty LSVWinner
MSRP range$12,499$15,799
Top speed25 mph125 mph2
Range (low)40 mi140 mi3
Range (high)80 mi1
Battery typelithium1lithium2
System voltage48 V148 V2
Seats4142
Length106.3 in2
Width46 in2
Height75.5 in2
Curb weight1,040 lb2
Motor power5 kW18.7 kW2
Motor power (hp)11.7 hp2
BrakesFour-wheel hydraulic (front disc, rear self-adjusting drum)2
SuspensionLeaf springs with hydraulic shock absorbers2
Display size10.1 in1
Battery warranty8 yr4
LSV certified (street-legal capable)No1Yes3
Ground clearance7 in2
Turning radius12.9 ft2
Towing capacity500 lb2
1 SOURCE: backyardescapism.com · VERIFIED 07/14/20262 SOURCE: ezgo.txtsv.com · VERIFIED 07/15/20263 SOURCE: ezgo.txtsv.com · VERIFIED 07/15/20264 SOURCE: ezgo.txtsv.com · VERIFIED 07/15/2026

◆ The verdict

E-Z-GO Liberty LSV

It wins on the better power. It's also the only factory-certified LSV of the two — the 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV is street-legal only by dealer package or self-attestation. These sit in different divisions (value vs. premium), so weigh the price gap accordingly.

Winner

Why it won

power8.7 kW vs 5 kW

◆ 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 Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV lands at about $13,601 and the E-Z-GO Liberty LSV at about $17,099, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSVbase build · FL out-the-door

Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSVMSRP (verified)$12,499.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$799.94
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$13,601

est. $218.03/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.

E-Z-GO Liberty LSVbase build · FL out-the-door

E-Z-GO Liberty LSVMSRP (verified)$15,799.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$997.94
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$17,099

est. $274.11/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 07/2026

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 Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV or the E-Z-GO Liberty LSV better?
E-Z-GO Liberty LSV takes it. It wins on the better power. It's also the only factory-certified LSV of the two — the 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV is street-legal only by dealer package or self-attestation. These sit in different divisions (value vs. premium), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV and Liberty LSV 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 Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV lands at about $13,601 and the E-Z-GO Liberty LSV at about $17,099, 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.
Are both the 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV and the Liberty LSV street legal?
The E-Z-GO Liberty LSV is a factory-certified LSV (verified against the NHTSA registry). The Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV is not a factory LSV — it's street-legal only by dealer package or self-attestation, so confirm before you buy.