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.

Denago EV CITY vs. Star EV J Model 4+2

By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Jul 30, 2026

WinnerDenago EV CITY

Denago EV CITY takes it. It wins on the better range and power. 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 Denago EV CITY beats the Star EV J Model 4+2 on the better range and power. They sit in different divisions (premium vs value), so weigh the price gap.
  • Range: the Denago EV CITY goes up to 40 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 Denago EV CITY lands about $17,842 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 about $15,717, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the Denago EV CITY and the Star EV J Model 4+2 are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Denago EV CITY vs. Star EV J Model 4+2

COMPARISON · DENAGO-CITY-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-2
LAST VERIFIED 07/30/2026
Denago EVCITYWinnerStar EVJ Model 4+2
MSRP range$16,500$14,495
Top speed25 mph125 mph2
Range (low)40 mi131 mi2
Range (high)31 mi2
Battery typelithium1lithium2
Battery capacity205 Ah1105 Ah2
System voltage51.2 V148 V2
Seats6162
Length134 in2
Width47 in2
Height75 in2
Curb weight1,345 lb2
Motor power6.3 kW15 kW2
Brakes4-wheel disc1Front disc, rear drum2
SuspensionIndependent front and rear1McPherson coil spring2
Display size7 in2
Warranty2 yr12 yr2
Battery warranty8 yr16.5 yr2
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes1Yes3
Charge time5 hr1
Ground clearance4 in2
Turning radius15 ft2
Range, normalized◆ computed~84 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: denagoev.com · VERIFIED 07/30/20262 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 07/30/20263 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/30/2026

◆ The verdict

Denago EV CITY

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

Winner

Why it won

range40 mi vs 31 mipower6.3 kW vs 5 kWbattery warranty8-yr vs 6.5-yr

◆ 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 Denago EV CITY lands at about $17,842 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 at about $15,717, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

Denago EV CITYbase build · FL out-the-door

Denago EV CITYMSRP (verified)$16,500.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$1,040.00
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$17,842

est. $286.02/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 Denago EV CITY or the Star EV J Model 4+2 better?
Denago EV CITY takes it. It wins on the better range and power. These sit in different divisions (premium vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the CITY 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 Denago EV CITY lands at about $17,842 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.