Golf carts are a gift from the golf gods designed to save you energy, make your round more enjoyable, and get you around the course quicker.
They’ve also grown in popularity over recent years as more people use them to zip around their neighborhoods.Â
Overall, the golf cart industry is booming, and as a result, there are plenty of cool features and performance improvements compared to the old carts.
With so much choice, knowing which cart is perfect for you can be challenging.
Well, today, we’ve made a list of the top 7 golf carts on the market. Below, you will find out their prices, how they perform, their features, and, more importantly, what we didn’t like about them.
Here is our carefully selected list of top-performing carts:
1st – Yamaha Drive 2 PTV
2nd –Â Icon i40L
3rd – EZGO Express S4
4th – EZGO Liberty
5th – Club Car Onward
6th – Garia Via 2
7th – Club Car Tempo
Quick Menu
Yamaha Drive 2 PTV ($11,000)
Pros
Cons
The Yamaha Drive 2 may not be as flashy in terms of looks compared to others on this list, but it’s one heck of a machine for the golf course.
Don’t get us wrong, it’s not a bad-looking cart but may be plain for some golfer’s liking.
Regarding pricing, buying a standard version from Yamaha will cost you around $9,631, excluding tax and all that other good stuff.
Yamaha has made this model available in gas and electric, which is fantastic, and every year, you get fewer gas models on the market.
Let’s go over the gas version first.
One thing they have done to make the Yamaha Drive 2 more compatible with the golf course is to reduce the engine’s noise.
They achieved this by adding electronic fuel injection, something not seen with many of their competitors’ gas carts.
This cart gets around 45mpg, which is pretty impressive. Quieter engine? Fantastic fuel efficiency?Â
Okay, so you know the gas is great what about the electric version?
Well, the electric cart comes stacked with a 5 Kwh motor, which is almost twice as big as that of previous Yamaha models.Â
With this additional power, it makes light work of inclines, which would usually eat up electric carts and can reach a top speed of 19 Mph.
Obviously, the cart is basically silent when compared to gas golf carts, which is a plus.
Both models come with tons of customization options, too. Here are a few additional features you can pre-order with your cart:
- Multiple Color Options For Seats And Panels
- Rear Facing Seat Kit
- Touring Seats
- Huge Range Of Rims/Wheels Ranging From $800-$1,107.96
- BluetoothÂ
- Speakers
- Cooler
- Ball Washer
- Club Covers
- Sand Buckets (For repairing divots!)
- Upgraded Lights
- USB Ports
- Mirrors
So, what are some of the downsides?
The only problem we encountered was with the feel of the cart when driving on cart paths instead of the grass.
It’s not a huge issue and can be solved if you get slightly bigger tires than the standard stock tires.
Icon i40L (Base Price $10,000)
Pros
Cons
Full Review
The Icon i40 is a stunning-looking golf cart that came onto the market like it had come from the future of golf carts.
Icon golf carts are the stuff of dreams for tech-savvy golfers who appreciate a more modern feel than the standard club car feel they are familiar with.
One of the main selling points of this particular golf cart is that it comes street legal as standard.Â
Usually, this comes at an extra and can drive prices of new carts through the roof.Â
It comes with all the necessities like seat belts, horns, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, and a digital speedometer, just to name a few.
Even more impressive is that being one of the cheaper carts on the list, you get a street-legal golf cart with a top speed of 25 Mph and fantastic acceleration.
The reason for this is the 48-volt Toyota AC controller.
The battery strength of this cart is fantastic, and you can travel anywhere from 30-50 miles after one single charge which is more than most electric golf carts.
Not to mention, this model comes with four seats, so when you’re not lugging your clubs around the course, you can give a couple of friends a lift.Â
There’s no need to strap them to the roof!
Owners’ reviews have shown that the cart also needs little to no maintenance over time.
There isn’t much of a downside other than that it isn’t solely designed for a golf course, but they do come with a golf bag holder upon request.
But is it a downside? Changing a standard golf cart into one that’s street-legal is ridiculously expensive, this way, you get the best of both worlds.
To get the bag holder for the back of this cart will cost around $200-$300. There are plenty of options on eBay and elsewhere online.
Customization is still possible with these carts, but not from the manufacturer. That being said it already comes decked, just missing options for drinks, coolers, ball washers, etc…
EZGO Express S2 (Base Price $13,794)
Pros
Cons
Full Review
Next up on our list is the EZGO Express 2, which is one of the best-looking carts on the market.Â
It’s a much more traditional golf cart design, which traditionalists will like. It does come in a 4-seater version.
The additional seats are placed behind the driver’s seat and face towards the back of the vehicle.
You can choose an electric golf cart or a gas golf cart, but the best-performing model is the lithium battery-powered model.
Regarding the gas model, they come stacked with an impressive Kawasaki motor.
Whether you go for the gas or the 72 Volt AC motor, they both top out at 19 Mph, and the model has just over 1.7 additional horsepower for acceleration.
A decline in acceleration or power usually goes hand in hand with electric vehicles.Â
However, with the new lithium battery, the power stays consistent, and they charge twice as fast.
Over time, EZGO has improved this popular model by adding more comfortable premium seat cushions, which was an issue in earlier models.
Something else that makes this cart stand out is the impressive stock wheels and size that come as standard with models.
Usually, you would need to get these as an extra with other cart manufacturers.
As standard, they don’t come stocked with a golf bag holder, but you can request one from EZGO themselves, which will set you back around $350-$500.
Here are a few additional features you can pre-order with your cart:
- Multiple Color Options For Seats And Panels
- Rear Facing Seat Kit
- Premium Seats
- Huge Range Of Rims/WheelsÂ
- Split Windshiel
- Steering Wheel Covers
- BluetoothÂ
- Premium Sound Bar
- Touch Screen Control Panel
- Cooler
- GPS
- Club Covers
- Sand Buckets (For repairing divots!)
- Upgraded Lights
- Mirrors
Overall, there isn’t much not to like about this cart; the price is on the higher end, but apart from that, you can’t complain.
EZGO Liberty (Base Price – $15,899)
Pros
Cons
Full Review
If you’re looking for a premium quality cart with a premium feel, the EZGO Liberty is undoubtedly that. Maybe only second in this way to the Garia Via on the list, but for a smaller price tag.
This cart comes ready, equipped, and street legal with speeds of 25 Mph produced by its Lithium battery.Â
These batteries charge twice as fast, last longer, require little maintenance, and have an 8-year warranty.
The Liberty was a trailblazer for offering 4 forward-facing seats when it first hit the market.Â
Almost nobody offered this seating arrangement until they did.
It’s not short of features, too, with most models coming stocked with touchscreen control screens, backup cameras, an automatic parking break, and even a pedestrian warning system.
You must add a golf bag holder, setting you back about $300-$350 from EZGO.
Here are a few additional features you can pre-order with your cart:
- Multiple Color Options For Seats And Panels
- Premium Seats
- Huge Range Of Rims/WheelsÂ
- Split Windshield
- Steering Wheel Covers
- BluetoothÂ
- Glove Box With Lock
- Reversing Camera
- Premium Sound Bar
- Touch Screen Control Panel
- Cooler
- GPS
- Club Covers
- Sand Buckets (For repairing divots!)
- Upgraded Lights
- Mirrors
What surprised us about this model was how much legroom there is in the front and back seats.Â
The only real issue with this cart is price-related it is one of the more expensive on this list.
But in terms of quality, reliability, and comfort, you can see why it has the price tag it does.
Club Car Onward (Base Price $14,000)
Pros
Cons
Full Review
Next up is the Club Car Onward on our list.Â
As far as looks go, it’s a fantastic-looking golf cart with a unique front/bonnet area that helps it stand out.
It also comes in both gas or electric and can reach top speeds of up to 19.9 Mph. While the top speed is excellent, getting there is a different story.
This model is known for a comfortable ride and is one of the safer/more sturdy carts on the market.
Some good news, if you enjoy adding additional features or accessories, is that the cart is designed to accommodate many changes.
Here are a few additional features you can pre-order with your cart from a Club Car Dealer:
- Multiple Color Options For Seats And Panels
- Rear Facing Seat Kit
- Premium Seats
- Lifted Suspension For 4 Seaters And Above
- Removable Canopy
- Huge Range Of Rims/WheelsÂ
- Tinted Wind Shields
- Steering Wheel Covers
- Overhead Storage
- BluetoothÂ
- Premium Sound Bar
- Touch Screen Control Panel
- Cooler
- Ball Washer
- Club Covers
- Sand Buckets (For repairing divots!)
- Upgraded Lights
- Mirrors
One of the biggest complaints from the Club Car Onward owners is that it lacks power/acceleration, making climbing steep hills or inclines challenging.
The gas models have a 404cc Subaru engine and a 2.4KW motor for its electric counterpart.Â
Neither of these is groundbreaking by any means and would be standard for the industry, but they are subpar compared to others on this list.
Because of this, the overall range of this vehicle is not the best.
Garia Via 2 (Base Price – $20,469)
Pros
Cons
Full Review
Without a doubt, this is the most premium-looking cart on the list, and the price tag reflects just that.
Looks-wise, it’s a stunning vehicle made with top-quality materials throughout.
It comes with leather cushions and backrests for a comfortable ride.
The Garia Via is a fully equipped street-legal cart with a max speed of 25 Mph, which will make light work of those long par 5s.
A lot of thought has gone into the design of this cart to complement golfer’s lives both on and off the course.Â
It comes with a storage compartment under the bonnet, which you won’t get with any other cart on this list.
There is also no need to worry about putting the parking brake on when you stop, as the cart will do this for you.Â
Even when it comes to the bag holders, they have put the golfer first, the holder is set at a 45-degree angle.
This makes it easier for golfers to find the club they’re looking for and to remove it.
Although it comes stocked with a bunch of features already, here are some more you can get:
- Multiple Color Options For Seats And Panels
- Premium Seats
- 4 Seater Options
- Range Of Rims/WheelsÂ
- Steering Wheel Covers
- Sports Seats
- Bluetooth Stereo
- Tail gate
- Golf Bag Attachment
- Smart Dashboard
- Cup Holders
- Club Covers
- Sand Buckets (For repairing divots!)
- Upgraded Lights
Overall, it’s a fantastic golf cart in terms of build and what you get. The only negative we have is for the price; you would expect a better or more powerful motor.
Carts with similar motor performance are on the list for cheaper, but you lose out on the features and premium feel then.
Club Car Tempo (Base Price $13,000)
Pros
Cons
Full Review
Coming up next is the Club Car Tempo. Similar to the onward version higher up in the list it has a classic club car look and feel.
The Tempo is more compact than the Onward, which provides better handling or turning capability.
It’s available in both gas or electric and maxes out at 15 Mph.
This model is designed as a club car fleet model. If you don’t know what that means, they are mass-produced and sold to golf courses.
Just because it’s a fleet car doesn’t mean it’s plain and boring. The Tempo comes with a whole bunch of customization options.
Here are a few additional features you can pre-order with your cart:
- Multiple Color Options For Seats And Panels
- Rear Facing Seat Kit
- Premium Seats
- Removable Canopy
- Interior Lighting Kits
- Massive Range Of Rims/WheelsÂ
- Tinted Wind Shields
- Steering Wheel Covers
- Club Car Connect
- Overhead Storage
- Under Seat Storage
- BluetoothÂ
- Bag Holders
- Premium Sound Bar
- Touch Screen Control Panel
- Club Covers
- Sand Buckets (For repairing divots!)
- Upgraded Lights
- Mirrors
So why is it further down in the list? It shares the same issues as Onward, and it’s a slightly smaller cart, meaning less space for you and any passengers.
The Onward would be more luxurious, too. So, if you want to spend extra for additional comfort/luxury, the Onward is for you.Â
If you value reliability and like a compact cart, go for the Tempo.
Overall, it is still an excellent choice for a golf cart as they are made to be reliable and require little maintenance.
Choosing The Right Cart For You On This ListÂ
While we’re confident, based on our experience and research, that the above rankings are true, our number one pick may be perfect for the majority of golfers, but maybe not for you.
It depends on which factors you prioritize when choosing your golf cart. After all, it’s a big investment, so make sure to do your due diligence.
First things first, you need to look at the primary purpose you need the cart for. Are you going to park it on the golf course, or will you drive it to the course and around your neighborhood?
If it’s only for course use then while having a cart that’s both course and street legal is nice it’s not a concern for you. Meaning you can look as standard options of carts and save a few bucks.
Another factor is the course you play the most. Does your local course have a lot of elevation or is it fairly flat?Â
A hilly course should push you in the direction of more power to make light work of those inclines. Flatter courses make it easier for carts to get around so having less power shouldn’t be an issue.
One of the more straightforward factors you should consider is how many seats you need. Sure having a 4-seater would be nice but if the seats are going to be empty more often than not what’s the point?
Lastly and the most important factor to consider is your budget. Don’t go broke buying a golf cart with a bunch of features you don’t really need.
As long as it gets you from A to B that’s all that matters… well a beer cooler would be a nice touch!
Conclusion
However, you don’t always have to buy straight from the suppliers themselves and can often find a great deal buying second hand.
Below are two posts that will be useful if you go down the used cart route:
What To Look For When Buying A Used Golf Cart