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.

Boca EV Mare 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 holds the stronger overall balance of range, value, power, and warranty. It's also the only factory-certified LSV of the two — the Mare is street-legal only by dealer package or self-attestation. 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 Boca EV Mare on the stronger overall balance of range, value, power, and warranty.
  • The Star EV J Model 4 is a factory-certified LSV (NHTSA vPIC–verified); the Boca EV Mare is street-legal only by dealer package or self-attestation.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Boca EV Mare vs. Star EV J Model 4

COMPARISON · BOCA-EV-MARE-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4
LAST VERIFIED 09/26/2026
Boca EVMareStar EVJ Model 4Winner
MSRP range—$13,350
Top speed20 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
Seats2†34✓†2
Length95 in†1120 in†2
Width48 in†147 in†2
Height74 in†175 in†2
Curb weight876 lb†31,279 lb†2
Motor power5 kW†35 kW†2
BrakesFour Wheel Disc Brakes†1Front disc, rear mechanical drum with foot parking brake†2
SuspensionDual A-arm wishbone front; trailing-arm independent rear†1McPherson coil spring front†2
Display size10.1 in✓†37 in†2
Warranty2 yr†12 yr†2
Battery warranty (total term)10 yr✓†16.5 yr†4
Battery full-replacement coverage5 yr✓†13.5 yr†4
Battery warranty terms10 years: 5 years full replacement, then 5 years prorated†16.5 years: free replacement through month 42, then a new pack at 50%, 60% and 70% of retail to month 78†4
LSV certified (street-legal capable)No†1Yes†2
Charge time6 hr†3—
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: pdgpowersports.com · VERIFIED 08/31/2026†2 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†3 SOURCE: pdgpowersports.com · VERIFIED 07/30/2026†4 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026

◆ The verdict

Star EV J Model 4

It holds the stronger overall balance of range, value, power, and warranty. It's also the only factory-certified LSV of the two — the Mare is street-legal only by dealer package or self-attestation.

Winner

◆ Price the fight — Florida out-the-door

Boca EV Marebase build · FL out-the-door

No sourced base price for the Boca EV Mare— we don't estimate what the maker doesn't publish, so this side has no ledger.

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 Boca EV Mare or the Star EV J Model 4 better?
Star EV J Model 4 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 Mare is street-legal only by dealer package or self-attestation.
Are both the Mare and the J Model 4 street legal?
The Star EV J Model 4 is a factory-certified LSV (verified against the NHTSA registry). The Boca EV Mare is not a factory LSV — it's street-legal only by dealer package or self-attestation, so confirm before you buy.