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 Lifted

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

WinnerICON EV i40L

ICON EV i40L 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 ICON EV i40L beats the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted on the better price and power. They sit in different divisions (premium vs value), so weigh the price gap.
  • Range: the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted goes up to 40 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 Lifted'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 Lifted about $15,001, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the ICON EV i40L and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted 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 Lifted

COMPARISON · ICON-I40L-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-LIFTED
LAST VERIFIED 09/26/2026
ICON EVi40LWinnerStar EVJ Model 4 Lifted
MSRP range$9,500 – $11,495$13,820
Top speed25 mph†125 mph†2
Top speed as delivered—19.5 mph†2
Range (low)25 mi†130 mi✓†2
Range (high)30 mi†140 mi✓†2
Battery typelithium†3lithium†2
Battery capacity105 Ah†3105 Ah†2
System voltage51 V†348 V†2
Seats4†44†2
Length113 in†4127 in†2
Width53 in†449 in†2
Height82 in†481 in†2
Curb weight1,300 lb†41,278 lb†2
Motor power5 kW✓†44 kW†2
BrakesFour-wheel disc, electromagnetic parking brake†4Front disc, rear mechanical drum with foot parking brake†2
SuspensionMacPherson-style independent front, solid-axle coil-over rear†4McPherson coil spring front†2
Display size10.1 in†3—
Warranty3 yr✓†52 yr†2
Battery warranty (total term)—6.5 yr†6
Battery full-replacement coverage—3.5 yr†6
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†6
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes†7Yes†2
Ground clearance—6 in†2
Turning radius—16 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: 303cartbarn.com · VERIFIED 07/14/2026†2 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†3 SOURCE: iconev.com · VERIFIED 07/14/2026†4 SOURCE: iconev.com · VERIFIED 07/14/2026†5 SOURCE: iconev.com · VERIFIED 07/14/2026†6 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†7 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/15/2026

◆ The verdict

ICON EV i40L

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

Save $4,320 vs the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted

Winner

Why it won

price$9,500 vs $13,820power5 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 ICON EV i40L lands at about $10,422 and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted at about $15,001, 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 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 ICON EV i40L or the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted better?
ICON EV i40L 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 i40L 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 ICON EV i40L lands at about $10,422 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.