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. Verdi Motor Aspen S4

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

WinnerVerdi Motor Aspen S4

Verdi Motor Aspen S4 takes it. It wins on the better range and price. The full side-by-side of verified specs is below — every figure carries a source and a verification date.

Key takeaways

  • The Verdi Motor Aspen S4 beats the Star EV J Model 4 on the better range and price.
  • Range: the Verdi Motor Aspen S4 goes up to 65 mi per charge vs the Star EV J Model 4's 31 mi.
  • 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 Verdi Motor Aspen S4 about $9,357, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the Star EV J Model 4 and the Verdi Motor Aspen S4 are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Star EV J Model 4 vs. Verdi Motor Aspen S4

COMPARISON · STAR-EV-J-MODEL-4-VS-VERDI-ASPEN-S4
LAST VERIFIED 09/26/2026
Star EVJ Model 4Verdi MotorAspen S4Winner
MSRP range$13,350$8,495
Top speed25 mph†125 mph†2
Top speed as delivered19.5 mph†1—
Range (low)31 mi†1—
Range (high)31 mi†165 mi✓†2
Battery typelithium†1lithium†2
Battery capacity105 Ah†1150 Ah✓†2
System voltage48 V†151.7 V†2
Seats4†14†2
Length120 in†1118 in†2
Width47 in†153 in†2
Height75 in†180 in†2
Curb weight1,279 lb†1—
Motor power5 kW†15 kW†2
BrakesFront disc, rear mechanical drum with foot parking brake†14-wheel hydraulic disc†2
SuspensionMcPherson coil spring front†1Independent front, heavy-duty rear leaf springs†2
Display size7 in†111 in✓†2
Warranty2 yr†12 yr†3
Battery warranty (total term)6.5 yr✓†45 yr†5
Battery full-replacement coverage3.5 yr†4—
Battery warranty terms6.5 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†1Yes†6
Ground clearance4 in†17.8 in✓†2
Turning radius15 ft†1—
Range, normalized◆ computed~40 mi~62 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: gonecoastalcartsev.com · VERIFIED 08/01/2026†3 SOURCE: jmgolfcars.com · VERIFIED 09/25/2026†4 SOURCE: cdn.prod.website-files.com · VERIFIED 09/26/2026†5 SOURCE: elevategolfcarts.golfcartinventory.com · VERIFIED 09/25/2026†6 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 08/01/2026

◆ The verdict

Verdi Motor Aspen S4

It wins on the better range and price.

Save $4,855 vs the Star EV J Model 4

Winner

Why it won

range65 mi vs 31 miprice$8,495 vs $13,350

◆ 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 Verdi Motor Aspen S4 at about $9,357, 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.

Verdi Motor Aspen S4base build · FL out-the-door

Verdi Motor Aspen S4MSRP (verified)$8,495.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$559.70
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$9,357

est. $150.00/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 Verdi Motor Aspen S4 better?
Verdi Motor Aspen S4 takes it. It wins on the better range and price.
What do the J Model 4 and Aspen S4 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 Verdi Motor Aspen S4 at about $9,357, 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.