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.

Kandi America Kruiser Element vs. Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2

By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Aug 1, 2026

WinnerTara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2

Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 takes it. It wins on the better range and power. The full side-by-side of verified specs is below — every figure carries a source and a verification date.

Key takeaways

  • The Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 beats the Kandi America Kruiser Element on the better range and power.
  • Range: the Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 goes up to 40 mi per charge vs the Kandi America Kruiser Element's 28 mi.
  • Florida out-the-door (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Kandi America Kruiser Element lands about $9,361 and the Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 about $9,887, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the Kandi America Kruiser Element and the Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Kandi America Kruiser Element vs. Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2

COMPARISON · KANDI-KRUISER-ELEMENT-VS-TARA-ROADSTER-2-2
LAST VERIFIED 08/01/2026
Kandi AmericaKruiser ElementTara Electric VehiclesRoadster 2+2Winner
MSRP range$8,499$8,995 – $9,695
Top speed25 mph125 mph2
Range (low)40 mi3
Range (high)28 mi1
Battery typelithium1lithium3
Battery capacity100 Ah1160 Ah3
System voltage51.2 V148 V3
Seats4143
Length117.9 in3
Height80 in3
Motor power5 kW16.3 kW3
BrakesFour-wheel hydraulic disc, electromagnetic parking brake3
SuspensionFront double-wishbone independent; rear leaf spring3
Display size9 in2
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes4Yes5
Charge time6.5 hr14 hr3
Ground clearance7.1 in3
Range, normalized◆ computed~41 mi~61 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: kandiamerica.com · VERIFIED 08/01/20262 SOURCE: discoverygolfcars.com · VERIFIED 07/18/20263 SOURCE: taraelectricvehicles.com · VERIFIED 07/18/20264 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 08/01/20265 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/18/2026

◆ The verdict

Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2

It wins on the better range and power.

Winner

Why it won

range40 mi vs 28 mipower6.3 kW vs 5 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 Kandi America Kruiser Element lands at about $9,361 and the Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 at about $9,887, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

Kandi America Kruiser Elementbase build · FL out-the-door

Kandi America Kruiser ElementMSRP (verified)$8,499.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$559.94
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$9,361

est. $150.06/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.

Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2base build · FL out-the-door

Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2MSRP from (verified) — ranges to $9,695 by trim$8,995.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$589.70
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$9,887

est. $158.49/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 08/2026

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 Kandi America Kruiser Element or the Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 better?
Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 takes it. It wins on the better range and power.
What do the Kruiser Element and Roadster 2+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 Kandi America Kruiser Element lands at about $9,361 and the Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 at about $9,887, 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.