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.

E-Z-GO Liberty 4 vs. Star EV J Model 4+2

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

WinnerStar EV J Model 4+2

Star EV J Model 4+2 takes it. It wins on the better price 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 Star EV J Model 4+2 beats the E-Z-GO Liberty 4 on the better price and power. They sit in different divisions (premium vs value), so weigh the price gap.
  • Florida out-the-door (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the E-Z-GO Liberty 4 lands about $17,311 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 about $15,717, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the E-Z-GO Liberty 4 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

E-Z-GO Liberty 4 vs. Star EV J Model 4+2

COMPARISON · EZGO-LIBERTY-4-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-2
LAST VERIFIED 09/26/2026
E-Z-GOLiberty 4Star EVJ Model 4+2Winner
MSRP range$15,999$14,495
Top speed25 mph†125 mph†2
Top speed as delivered19 mph†3—
Range (low)—31 mi†2
Range (high)—31 mi†2
Battery typelithium†1lithium†2
Battery capacity—105 Ah†2
System voltage56.7 V†148 V†2
Seats4†16✓†2
Length120 in†1134 in†2
Width47.6 in†147 in†2
Height80.5 in†175 in†2
Curb weight1,170 lb†11,345 lb†2
Motor power3.3 kW†15 kW✓†2
Motor power (hp)4.4 hp†1—
BrakesRear induction motor braking with front hydraulic disc brakes; automatic electro-magnetic parking brake†1Front disc, rear drum†2
SuspensionIndependent A-arm coil-over front; mono-leaf springs with hydraulic shock absorbers rear†1McPherson coil spring†2
Display size—7 in†2
Warranty—2 yr†2
Battery warranty (total term)8 yr✓†46.5 yr†5
Battery full-replacement coverage—3.5 yr†5
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†5
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes†1Yes†2
Ground clearance6.5 in✓†14 in†2
Turning radius9 ft✓†115 ft†2
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: ezgo.txtsv.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†2 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 07/30/2026†3 SOURCE: ezgo.txtsv.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†4 SOURCE: ezgo.txtsv.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†5 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026

◆ The verdict

Star EV J Model 4+2

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

Save $1,504 vs the E-Z-GO Liberty 4

Winner

Why it won

price$14,495 vs $15,999power5 kW vs 3.3 kW

◆ 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 E-Z-GO Liberty 4 lands at about $17,311 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 at about $15,717, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

E-Z-GO Liberty 4base build · FL out-the-door

E-Z-GO Liberty 4MSRP (verified)$15,999.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$1,009.94
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$17,311

est. $277.50/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 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 E-Z-GO Liberty 4 or the Star EV J Model 4+2 better?
Star EV J Model 4+2 takes it. It wins on the better price and power. These sit in different divisions (premium vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the Liberty 4 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 E-Z-GO Liberty 4 lands at about $17,311 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.