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. Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2

By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Jul 18, 2026

WinnerMadJax Ascent

MadJax Ascent takes it. It wins on the better range. 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 Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 on the better range. 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 Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2's 40 mi.
  • 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 Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 about $9,887, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the MadJax Ascent and the Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

MadJax Ascent vs. Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2

COMPARISON · MADJAX-ASCENT-VS-TARA-ROADSTER-2-2
LAST VERIFIED 07/18/2026
MadJaxAscentWinnerTara Electric VehiclesRoadster 2+2
MSRP range$13,495$8,995 – $9,695
Top speed25 mph125 mph2
Range (low)50 mi340 mi4
Range (high)60 mi3
Battery typelithium1lithium4
Battery capacity105 Ah1160 Ah4
System voltage51.2 V148 V4
Seats4144
Length118.1 in1117.9 in4
Width51 in1
Height79.3 in180 in4
Curb weight1,322 lb1
Motor power6.3 kW16.3 kW4
BrakesFront and rear hydraulic disc; electromechanical parking brake1Four-wheel hydraulic disc, electromagnetic parking brake4
SuspensionDouble-wishbone independent front; rear leaf spring with telescopic shock and sway bar1Front double-wishbone independent; rear leaf spring4
Display size10 in19 in2
Warranty3 yr3
Battery warranty12 yr1
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes5Yes6
Charge time4 hr4
Ground clearance7.1 in4
Range, normalized◆ computed~43 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: madjax.com · VERIFIED 07/15/20262 SOURCE: discoverygolfcars.com · VERIFIED 07/18/20263 SOURCE: mccoycustomcarts.com · VERIFIED 07/15/20264 SOURCE: taraelectricvehicles.com · VERIFIED 07/18/20265 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/15/20266 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/18/2026

◆ The verdict

MadJax Ascent

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

Winner

Why it won

range60 mi vs 40 mi

◆ 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 Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 at about $9,887, 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.

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 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 MadJax Ascent or the Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 better?
MadJax Ascent takes it. It wins on the better range. These sit in different divisions (premium vs. value), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the Ascent 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 MadJax Ascent lands at about $14,657 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.