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.

ICON EV i40L vs. Star EV J Model 4+2

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

WinnerICON EV i40L

ICON EV i40L takes it. It wins on the better price and warranty. 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 ICON EV i40L beats the Star EV J Model 4+2 on the better price and warranty. They sit in different divisions (premium vs value), so weigh the price gap.
  • Range: the Star EV J Model 4+2 goes up to 31 mi per charge vs the ICON EV i40L's 30 mi.
  • Vehicle warranty: the ICON EV i40L carries 3 years vs the Star EV J Model 4+2's 2.
  • Florida out-the-door (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the ICON EV i40L lands about $10,422 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 about $15,717, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the ICON EV i40L and the Star EV J Model 4+2 are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

ICON EV i40L vs. Star EV J Model 4+2

COMPARISON · ICON-I40L-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-2
LAST VERIFIED 07/30/2026
ICON EVi40LWinnerStar EVJ Model 4+2
MSRP range$9,500 – $11,495$14,495
Top speed25 mph125 mph2
Range (low)25 mi131 mi2
Range (high)30 mi131 mi2
Battery typelithium3lithium2
Battery capacity105 Ah3105 Ah2
System voltage51 V348 V2
Seats4462
Length113 in4134 in2
Width53 in447 in2
Height82 in475 in2
Curb weight1,300 lb41,345 lb2
Motor power5 kW45 kW2
BrakesFour-wheel disc, electromagnetic parking brake4Front disc, rear drum2
SuspensionMacPherson-style independent front, solid-axle coil-over rear4McPherson coil spring2
Display size10.1 in37 in2
Warranty3 yr52 yr2
Battery warranty6.5 yr2
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes6Yes7
Ground clearance4 in2
Turning radius15 ft2
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: 303cartbarn.com · VERIFIED 07/14/20262 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 07/30/20263 SOURCE: iconev.com · VERIFIED 07/14/20264 SOURCE: iconev.com · VERIFIED 07/14/20265 SOURCE: iconev.com · VERIFIED 07/14/20266 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/15/20267 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/30/2026

◆ The verdict

ICON EV i40L

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

Save $4,995 vs the Star EV J Model 4+2

Winner

Why it won

price$9,500 vs $14,495warranty3-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 ICON EV i40L lands at about $10,422 and the Star EV J Model 4+2 at about $15,717, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

ICON EV i40Lbase build · FL out-the-door

ICON EV i40LMSRP from (verified) — ranges to $11,495 by trim$9,500.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$620.00
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$10,422

est. $167.07/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 ICON EV i40L or the Star EV J Model 4+2 better?
ICON EV i40L takes it. It wins on the better price and warranty. These sit in different divisions (premium vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the i40L 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 ICON EV i40L lands at about $10,422 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.