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.

Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 vs. Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)

By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Aug 31, 2026

WinnerTara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2

Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 takes it. It wins on the better price and power. 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 Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 beats the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) on the better price and power. They sit in different divisions (value vs luxury), so weigh the price gap.
  • Florida out-the-door (6% state sales tax + ~1% county surtax on the first $5,000, FLHSMV title + initial registration): the Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 lands about $9,887 and the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) about $27,593, base build before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.
  • Both the Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 and the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) are factory-certified LSVs, confirmed against the NHTSA vPIC registry.

Head to head · Tampa Bay Edition

Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 vs. Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)

COMPARISON · TARA-ROADSTER-2-2-VS-TOMBERLIN-E-MERGE-SHADOWHAWK
LAST VERIFIED 08/31/2026
Tara Electric VehiclesRoadster 2+2WinnerTomberlinE-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)
MSRP range$8,995 – $9,695$25,699
Top speed25 mph1
Range (low)40 mi2
Range (high)40 mi3
Battery typelithium2lead-acid3
Battery capacity160 Ah2
System voltage48 V248 V3
Seats4263
Length117.9 in2
Height80 in2
Motor power6.3 kW25 kW3
Motor power (hp)17 hp3
BrakesFour-wheel hydraulic disc, electromagnetic parking brake2
SuspensionFront double-wishbone independent; rear leaf spring2
Display size9 in17 in3
Warranty5 yr3
LSV certified (street-legal capable)Yes4Yes3
Charge time4 hr2
Ground clearance7.1 in2
Range, normalized◆ computed~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: discoverygolfcars.com · VERIFIED 07/18/20262 SOURCE: taraelectricvehicles.com · VERIFIED 07/18/20263 SOURCE: tomberlinusa.com · VERIFIED 08/31/20264 SOURCE: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov · VERIFIED 07/18/2026

◆ The verdict

Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2

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

Save $16,704 vs the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)

Winner

Why it won

price$8,995 vs $25,699power6.3 kW vs 5 kW

◆ 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 Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 lands at about $9,887 and the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) at about $27,593, base build, before kits and dealer-quoted delivery.

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.

Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)base build · FL out-the-door

Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2)MSRP (verified)$25,699.00
FL sales tax (est.)6% state + 1.0% county surtax on the first $5,000$1,591.94
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$27,593

est. $442.33/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 08/2026

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 Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 or the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) better?
Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 takes it. It wins on the better price and power. These sit in different divisions (value vs. luxury), so weigh the price gap accordingly.
What do the Roadster 2+2 and E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+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 Tara Electric Vehicles Roadster 2+2 lands at about $9,887 and the Tomberlin E-Merge Shadowhawk (E4+2) at about $27,593, 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.