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.

Garia Via 4-Seater vs. Star EV J Model 4 Lifted

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

WinnerGaria Via 4-Seater

Garia Via 4-Seater takes it. It wins on the better power and 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.

Key takeaways

  • The Garia Via 4-Seater beats the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted on the better power and warranty. They sit in different divisions (luxury vs value), so weigh the price gap.
  • Vehicle warranty: the Garia Via 4-Seater 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 Garia Via 4-Seater lands about $27,106 and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted about $15,001, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the Garia Via 4-Seater and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Garia Via 4-Seater vs. Star EV J Model 4 Lifted

COMPARISON · GARIA-VIA-4-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-LIFTED
LAST VERIFIED 09/26/2026
GariaVia 4-SeaterWinnerStar EVJ Model 4 Lifted
MSRP range$25,239 – $33,087$13,820
Top speed25 mph†125 mph†2
Top speed as delivered—19.5 mph†2
Range (low)—30 mi†2
Range (high)40 mi†140 mi†2
Battery typelithium†1lithium†2
Battery capacity—105 Ah†2
System voltage48 V†148 V†2
Seats4†14†2
Length126 in†1127 in†2
Width48 in†149 in†2
Height73 in†181 in†2
Curb weight1,200 lb†11,278 lb†2
Motor power8 kW✓†14 kW†2
BrakesDual-circuit hydraulic brakes on all four wheels†1Front disc, rear mechanical drum with foot parking brake†2
SuspensionFront double-wishbone with coilovers; rear live axle with trailing links, Panhard rod and coilovers†1McPherson coil spring front†2
Warranty3 yr✓†12 yr†2
Battery warranty (total term)5 yr†16.5 yr✓†3
Battery full-replacement coverage—3.5 yr†3
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†3
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes†4Yes†2
Charge time7 hr†1—
Ground clearance—6 in†2
Turning radius11 ft✓†116 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: garia.com · VERIFIED 07/15/2026†2 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†3 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†4 SOURCE: garia.com · VERIFIED 07/15/2026

◆ The verdict

Garia Via 4-Seater

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

Winner

Why it won

power8 kW vs 4 kWwarranty3-yr vs 2-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 Garia Via 4-Seater lands at about $27,106 and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted at about $15,001, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

Garia Via 4-Seaterbase build · FL out-the-door

Garia Via 4-SeaterMSRP from (verified) — ranges to $33,087 by trim$25,239.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$1,564.34
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$27,106

est. $434.51/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 Garia Via 4-Seater or the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted better?
Garia Via 4-Seater takes it. It wins on the better power and warranty. These sit in different divisions (luxury vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the Via 4-Seater 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 Garia Via 4-Seater lands at about $27,106 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.