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 Onward 4 Forward LSV vs. Star EV J Model 4+2

By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Aug 1, 2026

WinnerStar EV J Model 4+2

Star EV J Model 4+2 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+2 beats the Club Car Onward 4 Forward LSV on the better price. They sit in different divisions (premium vs value), so weigh the price gap.
  • Range: the Club Car Onward 4 Forward LSV goes up to 50 mi per charge vs the Star EV J Model 4+2's 31 mi.
  • Florida out-the-door (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Club Car Onward 4 Forward LSV lands about $16,251 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 about $15,717, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the Club Car Onward 4 Forward LSV and the Star EV J Model 4+2 are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Club Car Onward 4 Forward LSV vs. Star EV J Model 4+2

COMPARISON · CLUB-CAR-ONWARD-4-FORWARD-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-2
LAST VERIFIED 08/01/2026
Club CarOnward 4 Forward LSVStar EVJ Model 4+2Winner
MSRP range$14,999 – $16,999$14,495
Top speed25 mph125 mph2
Range (low)30 mi131 mi2
Range (high)50 mi131 mi2
Battery typelithium1lithium2
Battery capacity105 Ah2
System voltage48 V2
Seats4162
Length120 in1134 in2
Width49 in147 in2
Height79 in175 in2
Curb weight1,103 lb11,345 lb2
Motor power5 kW2
BrakesFront disc, rear drum2
SuspensionMcPherson coil spring2
Display size7 in2
Warranty2 yr2
Battery warranty6.5 yr2
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes1Yes3
Ground clearance7 in14 in2
Turning radius15 ft2
Range, normalized◆ computed~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: clubcar.com · VERIFIED 08/01/20262 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 07/30/20263 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/30/2026

◆ The verdict

Star EV J Model 4+2

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

Save $504 vs the Club Car Onward 4 Forward LSV

Winner

Why it won

price$14,495 vs $14,999

◆ 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 Onward 4 Forward LSV lands at about $16,251 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 at about $15,717, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

Club Car Onward 4 Forward LSVbase build · FL out-the-door

Club Car Onward 4 Forward LSVMSRP from (verified) — ranges to $16,999 by trim$14,999.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$949.94
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$16,251

est. $260.51/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 08/2026

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 Onward 4 Forward LSV or the Star EV J Model 4+2 better?
Star EV J Model 4+2 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 Onward 4 Forward LSV 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 Onward 4 Forward LSV lands at about $16,251 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.