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. Tomberlin E-Merge SE (E6)

Tomberlin E-Merge SE (E6) takes it. It holds the stronger overall balance of range, value, power, and warranty. 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.

Verified · sourced specs · NHTSA vPIC · no paid rank

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Backyard Escapism 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV vs. Tomberlin E-Merge SE (E6)

COMPARISON · BACKYARD-ESCAPISM-4-FORWARD-VS-TOMBERLIN-E-MERGE-SE-E6
LAST VERIFIED 07/30/2026
Backyard Escapism4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSVTomberlinE-Merge SE (E6)
MSRP range$12,499
Top speed25 mph125 mph2
Range (low)40 mi140 mi2
Range (high)80 mi180 mi2
Battery typelithium1lead-acid2
System voltage48 V148 V2
Seats4162
Length156 in2
Width55.6 in2
Height77 in2
Curb weight1,895 lb2
Motor power5 kW15 kW2
Motor power (hp)17 hp2
Brakes4-wheel hydraulic (front disc, rear drum)2
SuspensionIndependent dual A-arm front; front/rear shocks with anti-roll sway bar2
Display size10.1 in17 in2
Warranty5 yr2
LSV certified (street-legal capable)No1Yes2
1 SOURCE: backyardescapism.com · VERIFIED 07/14/20262 SOURCE: tomberlinusa.com · VERIFIED 07/30/2026

◆ The verdict

Tomberlin E-Merge SE (E6) takes it.

It holds the stronger overall balance of range, value, power, and warranty. 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.

◆ Price the fight — Florida out-the-door

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.

Tomberlin E-Merge SE (E6)base build · FL out-the-door

No sourced base price for the Tomberlin E-Merge SE (E6)— we don't estimate what the maker doesn't publish, so this side has no ledger.

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 Tomberlin E-Merge SE (E6) better?
Tomberlin E-Merge SE (E6) takes it. It holds the stronger overall balance of range, value, power, and warranty. 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.
Are both the 4 Forward Facing Street Legal LSV and the E-Merge SE (E6) street legal?
The Tomberlin E-Merge SE (E6) 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.