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.

EPIC Carts E40FX vs. Star EV J Model 4 Lifted

By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Sep 26, 2026

WinnerEPIC Carts E40FX

EPIC Carts E40FX takes it. It wins on the better range and 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 EPIC Carts E40FX beats the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted on the better range and price. They sit in different divisions (premium vs value), so weigh the price gap.
  • Range: the EPIC Carts E40FX goes up to 43 mi per charge vs the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted's 40 mi.
  • Vehicle warranty: the EPIC Carts E40FX carries 3 years vs the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted's 2.
  • Florida out-the-door (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the EPIC Carts E40FX lands about $13,072 and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted about $15,001, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the EPIC Carts E40FX and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

EPIC Carts E40FX vs. Star EV J Model 4 Lifted

COMPARISON · EPIC-E40FX-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-LIFTED
LAST VERIFIED 09/26/2026
EPIC CartsE40FXWinnerStar EVJ Model 4 Lifted
MSRP range$12,000 – $13,995$13,820
Top speed25 mph†125 mph†2
Top speed as delivered—19.5 mph†2
Range (low)—30 mi†2
Range (high)43 mi✓†140 mi†2
Battery typelithium†3lithium†2
Battery capacity105 Ah†3105 Ah†2
System voltage51.2 V†348 V†2
Seats4†34†2
Length119 in†3127 in†2
Width56 in†349 in†2
Height—81 in†2
Curb weight1,215 lb†31,278 lb†2
Motor power6.3 kW✓†34 kW†2
BrakesFour-wheel disc†4Front disc, rear mechanical drum with foot parking brake†2
SuspensionDouble Wishbone Independent Front Suspension†1McPherson coil spring front†2
Display size10.1 in†3—
Warranty3 yr✓†52 yr†2
Battery warranty (total term)8 yr✓†66.5 yr†7
Battery full-replacement coverage—3.5 yr†7
Battery warranty terms—6.5 years: free replacement through month 42, then a new pack at 50%, 60% and 70% of retail to month 78†7
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes†8Yes†2
Ground clearance6.5 in✓†36 in†2
Turning radius11.8 ft✓†116 ft†2
Range, normalized◆ computed~43 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: nevadagolfcarts.com · VERIFIED 08/01/2026†2 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†3 SOURCE: icongolfcartsusa.com · VERIFIED 08/01/2026†4 SOURCE: iconev.com · VERIFIED 08/01/2026†5 SOURCE: iconev.com · VERIFIED 09/01/2026†6 SOURCE: epiccarts.com · VERIFIED 09/25/2026†7 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†8 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 08/01/2026

◆ The verdict

EPIC Carts E40FX

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

Save $1,820 vs the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted

Winner

Why it won

range43 mi vs 40 miprice$12,000 vs $13,820power6.3 kW vs 4 kWwarranty3-yr vs 2-yrbattery warranty term8-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 EPIC Carts E40FX lands at about $13,072 and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted at about $15,001, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

EPIC Carts E40FXbase build · FL out-the-door

EPIC Carts E40FXMSRP from (verified) — ranges to $13,995 by trim$12,000.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$770.00
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$13,072

est. $209.55/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.

Star EV J Model 4 Liftedbase build · FL out-the-door

Star EV J Model 4 LiftedMSRP (verified)$13,820.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$879.20
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$15,001

est. $240.48/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 EPIC Carts E40FX or the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted better?
EPIC Carts E40FX takes it. It wins on the better range and price. These sit in different divisions (premium vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the E40FX and J Model 4 Lifted 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 EPIC Carts E40FX lands at about $13,072 and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted at about $15,001, 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.