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.

MadJax Ascent vs. Star EV J Model 4 Lifted

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

WinnerMadJax Ascent

MadJax Ascent takes it. It wins on the better range and price. 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 MadJax Ascent beats the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted on the better range and price. They sit in different divisions (premium vs value), so weigh the price gap.
  • Range: the MadJax Ascent goes up to 60 mi per charge vs the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted's 40 mi.
  • Vehicle warranty: the MadJax Ascent 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 MadJax Ascent lands about $14,657 and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted about $15,001, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the MadJax Ascent and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

MadJax Ascent vs. Star EV J Model 4 Lifted

COMPARISON · MADJAX-ASCENT-VS-STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-LIFTED
LAST VERIFIED 09/26/2026
MadJaxAscentWinnerStar EVJ Model 4 Lifted
MSRP range$13,495$13,820
Top speed25 mph†125 mph†2
Top speed as delivered—19.5 mph†2
Range (low)50 mi✓†330 mi†2
Range (high)60 mi✓†340 mi†2
Battery typelithium†1lithium†2
Battery capacity105 Ah†1105 Ah†2
System voltage51.2 V†148 V†2
Seats4†14†2
Length118.1 in†1127 in†2
Width51 in†149 in†2
Height79.3 in†181 in†2
Curb weight1,322 lb†11,278 lb†2
Motor power6.3 kW✓†14 kW†2
BrakesFront and rear hydraulic disc; electromechanical parking brake†1Front disc, rear mechanical drum with foot parking brake†2
SuspensionDouble-wishbone independent front; rear leaf spring with telescopic shock and sway bar†1McPherson coil spring front†2
Display size10 in†1—
Warranty3 yr✓†32 yr†2
Battery warranty (total term)12 yr✓†16.5 yr†4
Battery full-replacement coverage6 yr✓†53.5 yr†4
Battery warranty terms12 years (Bolt Energy pack): 6 years full replacement, then 6 years prorated†56.5 years: free replacement through month 42, then a new pack at 50%, 60% and 70% of retail to month 78†4
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes†6Yes†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: madjax.com · VERIFIED 07/15/2026†2 SOURCE: starev.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†3 SOURCE: mccoycustomcarts.com · VERIFIED 07/15/2026†4 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†5 SOURCE: boltenergyusa.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†6 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/15/2026

◆ The verdict

MadJax Ascent

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

Save $325 vs the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted

Winner

Why it won

range60 mi vs 40 miprice$13,495 vs $13,820power6.3 kW vs 4 kWwarranty3-yr vs 2-yrbattery full replacement6-yr vs 3.5-yrbattery warranty term12-yr vs 6.5-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 MadJax Ascent lands at about $14,657 and the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted at about $15,001, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

MadJax Ascentbase build · FL out-the-door

MadJax AscentMSRP (verified)$13,495.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$859.70
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$14,657

est. $234.96/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 MadJax Ascent or the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted better?
MadJax Ascent takes it. It wins on the better range and price. These sit in different divisions (premium vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the Ascent 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 MadJax Ascent lands at about $14,657 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.