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.

Club Car CRU vs. Star EV J Model 4+2

Star EV J Model 4+2 takes it. It wins on the better value and battery warranty. These sit in different divisions (luxury 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.

Verified · sourced specs · NHTSA vPIC · no paid rank

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Club Car CRU vs. Star EV J Model 4+2

COMPARISON · CLUB-CAR-CRU-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-2
LAST VERIFIED 07/30/2026
Club CarCRUStar EVJ Model 4+2
MSRP range$28,156$14,495
Top speed25 mph125 mph2
Range (low)15 mi131 mi2
Range (high)75 mi131 mi2
Battery typeagm1lithium2
Battery capacity105 Ah2
System voltage48 V2
Seats6162
Length148 in1134 in2
Width69.5 in147 in2
Height76 in175 in2
Curb weight1,345 lb2
Motor power5 kW2
Motor power (hp)10 hp1
Brakes4-wheel hydraulic disc; mechanical disc park brake1Front disc, rear drum2
SuspensionIndependent double A-arm front, coil-spring solid rear axle with panhard rod1McPherson coil spring2
Display size7 in2
Warranty2 yr2
Battery warranty5 yr16.5 yr2
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes1Yes3
Ground clearance5.5 in14 in2
Turning radius15 ft2
Range, normalized◆ computed~40 mi

◆ Range, normalizedis our figure, not the maker's: each pack's energy at a standard 0.125kWh/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: clubcar.com · VERIFIED 07/30/20262 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 07/30/20263 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/30/2026

◆ The verdict

Star EV J Model 4+2 takes it.

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

◆ 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 Club Car CRU lands at about $30,198 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 at about $15,717, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

Club Car CRUbase build · FL out-the-door

Club Car CRUMSRP (verified)$28,156.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$1,739.36
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$30,198

est. $484.08/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.

Star EV J Model 4+2base build · FL out-the-door

Star EV J Model 4+2MSRP (verified)$14,495.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$919.70
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$15,717

est. $251.95/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 Club Car CRU or the Star EV J Model 4+2 better?
Star EV J Model 4+2 takes it. It wins on the better value and battery warranty. These sit in different divisions (luxury vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the CRU and J Model 4+2 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 Club Car CRU lands at about $30,198 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 at about $15,717, 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.