Star EV J Model 4 Lifted vs. Tara Electric Vehicles Explorer 2+2
By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Oct 3, 2026
Tara Electric Vehicles Explorer 2+2 takes it. It wins on the better price 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 Explorer 2+2 beats the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted on the better price and power.
- Florida out-the-door (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted lands about $15,001 and the Tara Electric Vehicles Explorer 2+2 about $10,947, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
- Both the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted and the Tara Electric Vehicles Explorer 2+2 are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.
Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition
Star EV J Model 4 Lifted vs. Tara Electric Vehicles Explorer 2+2
LAST VERIFIED 10/03/2026
| Star EVJ Model 4 Lifted | Tara Electric VehiclesExplorer 2+2Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP range | $13,820 | $9,995 |
| Top speed | 25 mph†1 | 25 mph†2 |
| Top speed as delivered | 19.5 mph✓†1 | 19 mph†2 |
| Range (low) | 30 mi†1 | 40 mi✓†2 |
| Range (high) | 40 mi†1 | — |
| Battery type | lithium†1 | lithium†2 |
| Battery capacity | 105 Ah†1 | 160 Ah✓†2 |
| System voltage | 48 V†1 | 48 V†2 |
| Seats | 4†1 | 4†2 |
| Length | 127 in†1 | 120.5 in†2 |
| Width | 49 in†1 | 55.5 in†2 |
| Height | 81 in†1 | 83 in†2 |
| Curb weight | 1,278 lb†1 | 1,014 lb†2 |
| Motor power | 4 kW†1 | 6.3 kW✓†2 |
| Brakes | Front disc, rear mechanical drum with foot parking brake†1 | Four-wheel Hydraulic Disc Brake†2 |
| Suspension | McPherson coil spring front†1 | Front: double wishbone independent; Rear: leaf spring†2 |
| Display size | — | 9 in†3 |
| Warranty | 2 yr†1 | — |
| Battery warranty (total term) | 6.5 yr†4 | — |
| Battery full-replacement coverage | 3.5 yr†4 | — |
| 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†4 | — |
| LSV certified (street-legal capable) | Yes†1 | Yes†5 |
| Charge time | — | 4 hr†2 |
| Battery warranty schedule (maker's share) | 100% to yr 3.5 · 50% yr 3.5–4.5 · 40% yr 4.5–5.5 · 30% yr 5.5–6.5†4 | — |
| Ground clearance | 6 in†1 | 7.9 in✓†2 |
| Turning radius | 16 ft†1 | — |
| Range, normalized◆ computed | ~40 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.
◆ The verdict
It wins on the better price and power.
Save $3,825 vs the Star EV J Model 4 Lifted
Why it won
◆ 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 Star EV J Model 4 Lifted lands at about $15,001 and the Tara Electric Vehicles Explorer 2+2 at about $10,947, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
Star EV J Model 4 Liftedbase build · FL out-the-door
est. $240.48/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.
Tara Electric Vehicles Explorer 2+2base build · FL out-the-door
est. $175.48/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.
METHODOLOGY — what's verified, what's estimated
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 Star EV J Model 4 Lifted or the Tara Electric Vehicles Explorer 2+2 better?
- Tara Electric Vehicles Explorer 2+2 takes it. It wins on the better price and power.
- What do the J Model 4 Lifted and Explorer 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 Star EV J Model 4 Lifted lands at about $15,001 and the Tara Electric Vehicles Explorer 2+2 at about $10,947, 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.