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.

Star EV J Model 4 vs. Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk

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

WinnerTomberlin Engage Ghosthawk

Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk takes it. It wins on the better range and warranty. These sit in different divisions (value vs. luxury), 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 Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk beats the Star EV J Model 4 on the better range and warranty. They sit in different divisions (value vs luxury), so weigh the price gap.
  • Range: the Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk goes up to 80 mi per charge vs the Star EV J Model 4's 31 mi.
  • Vehicle warranty: the Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk carries 5 years vs the Star EV J Model 4's 2.
  • 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 lands about $14,503 and the Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk about $32,151, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the Star EV J Model 4 and the Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Star EV J Model 4 vs. Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk

COMPARISON · STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-VS-TOMBERLIN-ENGAGE-GHOSTHAWK
LAST VERIFIED 09/26/2026
Star EVJ Model 4TomberlinEngage GhosthawkWinner
MSRP range$13,350$29,999
Top speed25 mph†125 mph†2
Top speed as delivered19.5 mph†1—
Range (low)31 mi†1—
Range (high)31 mi†180 mi✓†3
Battery typelithium†1lithium†3
Battery capacity105 Ah†1210 Ah✓†3
Battery energy—10 kWh†3
System voltage48 V†1—
Seats4†14†3
Length120 in†1132 in†3
Width47 in†152.5 in†3
Height75 in†182 in†3
Curb weight1,279 lb†11,355 lb†3
Motor power5 kW†15 kW†3
Motor power (hp)—17 hp†3
BrakesFront disc, rear mechanical drum with foot parking brake†14-wheel hydraulic brakes, Smart Park™ Electric brake that automatically locks wheels†3
SuspensionMcPherson coil spring front†1Double A-arm with adjustable coil over shocks†3
Display size7 in†17 in†3
Warranty2 yr†15 yr✓†3
Battery warranty (total term)6.5 yr✓†45 yr†5
Battery full-replacement coverage3.5 yr✓†43 yr†5
Battery warranty terms6.5 years: free replacement through month 42, then a new pack at 50%, 60% and 70% of retail to month 78†45 years (EVOLVE lithium): first 36 months at 100%, remaining 24 months at 50%†5
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes†1Yes†3
Ground clearance4 in†1—
Turning radius15 ft†1—
Range, normalized◆ computed~40 mi~80 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: starev.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†2 SOURCE: tomberlinusa.com · VERIFIED 09/25/2026†3 SOURCE: tomberlinusa.com · VERIFIED 08/31/2026†4 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†5 SOURCE: tomberlinusa.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026

◆ The verdict

Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk

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

Winner

Why it won

range80 mi vs 31 miwarranty5-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 Star EV J Model 4 lands at about $14,503 and the Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk at about $32,151, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

Star EV J Model 4base build · FL out-the-door

Star EV J Model 4MSRP (verified)$13,350.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$851.00
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$14,503

est. $232.49/mo — 20% down, 7.5% APR, 60 mo. Confirm real rates with the lender.

Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawkbase build · FL out-the-door

Tomberlin Engage GhosthawkMSRP (verified)$29,999.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$1,849.94
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$32,151

est. $515.40/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 Star EV J Model 4 or the Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk better?
Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk takes it. It wins on the better range and warranty. These sit in different divisions (value vs. luxury), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the J Model 4 and Engage Ghosthawk 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 lands at about $14,503 and the Tomberlin Engage Ghosthawk at about $32,151, 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.