Star and Sirius Golf Carts: Are They Worth It, and What Do They Cost Used?
A Sirius golf cart is a STAR EV model built in South Carolina. Specs by layout, used prices ($7,500 to $10,750), battery, warranty and what to inspect.
A Sirius golf cart is a STAR EV model, not a separate brand, and that one fact clears up most of the confusion around these carts. The Sirius is STAR EV's street-style lithium cart, built in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with a 4 kW or 5 kW AC motor and a 25 mph top speed in its street-legal setup. New, dealers are listing 2026 Sirius 2+2 carts around $15,995. Used, the ones I see on Commonplace mostly ask between about $7,500 and $10,750 for 2021 to 2023 builds, which is a big discount for a cart that's often only a few seasons old.
I help people buy and sell big, awkward things for a living, and golf carts are one of the categories where buyers ask me the most questions. Star and Sirius carts come up constantly because they look like a premium cart, cost less than one, and have very little written about them. So below I'll cover who actually makes them, every Sirius configuration, what a used Sirius golf cart is worth by year, how the batteries hold up, the warranty and parts question, and exactly what I'd check before paying.
Who Makes Star and Sirius Golf Carts?
STAR EV makes the Sirius, and it builds it in the US. The company's own site says it has more than 20 years in the business and over 220,000 square feet of manufacturing in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Third-party coverage puts the founding at 2003 under the parent company JH Global Services.
So when someone searches "star sirius golf cart," they're searching for one product. Star is the maker. Sirius is the model line.
Here's the current STAR EV lineup, because sellers mix these names up all the time in listings:
- Sirius: the street-style lithium cart this post is about. 2, 2+2, 4 and 4+2 seat layouts, with lifted versions of the 2+2 and 4+2.
- Capella: the more traditional-looking line, offered with lead-acid or lithium batteries.
- J-Plus: the widest range of seat layouts, up to a 6-seater.
- Leo: a 4-passenger cart with a semi-lifted look, listed by STAR EV at $12,995 before freight, dealer prep and taxes.
How does a Sirius compare to a Club Car or E-Z-GO? It wins on features per dollar: lithium, LED lighting and street-legal equipment at a lower used price. Club Car and E-Z-GO win on dealer count and used parts. I walk through the big three in my Club Car vs E-Z-GO vs Yamaha comparison if you want the other side of it.
Sirius Golf Cart Models and Specs
Every Sirius golf cart runs a 48-volt AC drive with a lithium battery, and the seat layout decides the motor. STAR EV's spec tables put the smaller layouts on a 4 kW AC motor with a 350-amp controller, and the 4+2 layouts on a 5 kW AC motor with a 450-amp controller. Read the spec label on the actual cart to confirm.
| Sirius layout | Seats | Motor | Controller | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sirius 2 | 2 | 4 kW AC | 48V, 350A | About 1,255 lb with batteries |
| Sirius 2+2 | 4 (rear flip seat) | 4 kW AC | 48V, 350A | The most common used Sirius |
| Sirius 2+2 Lifted | 4 (rear flip seat) | 4 kW AC | 48V, 350A | 20x10R14 all-terrain tires |
| Sirius 4 | 4 forward | 4 kW AC | 48V, 350A | About 1,402 lb |
| Sirius 4+2 | 6 | 5 kW AC | 48V, 450A | 1,000 lb load capacity |
| Sirius 4+2 Lifted | 6 | 5 kW AC | 48V, 450A | The family-hauler version |
A few other numbers worth knowing. Top speed is 19.5 mph in standard golf-cart mode and 25 mph when it's set up as a low-speed vehicle. Charging takes 5 to 10 hours on a regular household outlet. Street tires are 205/40 R14, and the lifted trims run all-terrain tires.
Range is where I'd ignore the brochure. STAR EV's Sirius page headlines an 80-mile maximum, but the FAQ on the same page says 40 to 60 miles per charge depending on terrain and use. Plan around 40. Hills, a full load of passengers and cold weather all cut it, and a used pack won't hold every amp-hour it had new.
What Does a Used Sirius Golf Cart Cost?
A used Sirius golf cart from 2021 to 2023 typically asks between about $7,500 and $10,750 on Commonplace. That's from Star and Sirius carts listed on our marketplace this year, not a national average. Older Star EV models sit lower: 2018 Star EV Classic and Sport carts have mostly listed between roughly $4,400 and $7,000.
| Cart | Asking price seen on Commonplace |
|---|---|
| 2021 Sirius, like new, LSV | About $7,600 |
| 2022 Sirius 2+2 | About $8,900 |
| 2022 Sirius 6-seater, lifted | About $9,100 |
| 2023 Sirius 2+2, lithium | About $7,500 to $8,200 |
| 2023 Sirius 2+2, lifted | About $10,750 |
| 2018 Star EV Classic or Sport | About $4,400 to $7,000 |
Now compare that to new. STAR EV doesn't publish a public price list, so new pricing comes from dealers. Dealer listings I found show a new 2026 Sirius 2+2 at $15,995 and a 2026 Sirius L at $16,495. Third-party guides put the Sirius range at roughly $14,000 to the low $20,000s depending on layout and options, and dealers add freight and prep on top.
So a two-to-three-year-old Sirius goes for roughly half to two-thirds of new. The early depreciation is already paid, and a well-kept lithium pack has plenty of life left.
Lifted beats standard, six seats beat four, lithium beats lead-acid, and a titled LSV beats an untitled cart. For how Sirius pricing stacks up against every other brand, my used golf cart price guide breaks it down by brand, year and battery type.
How Do Sirius Batteries and Controllers Hold Up?
The Sirius uses a LiFePO4 lithium pack, which is the right chemistry for a cart you plan to keep. STAR EV calls it STAR Smart Lithium and offers it in 80, 105, 160 and 210 amp-hour sizes depending on the layout. The company rates it for 2,000-plus charge cycles. LiFePO4 is the chemistry I want in a used cart: it tolerates heat better than other lithium types and doesn't need water added like lead-acid.
Two things to check, though. First, amp-hours. A 210Ah pack has roughly twice the capacity of a 105Ah pack, and sellers rarely list which one they have. Ask, or read the label on the pack. That number explains most of the real-world range difference between two carts that look identical.
Second, lead-acid. STAR EV's spec table also lists an eight-battery 6-volt Trojan T-105 option. So don't assume every Star cart is lithium. Pop the seat and look. Lead-acid isn't a dealbreaker, but it changes what the cart is worth, and a tired set of six or eight batteries is a four-figure replacement. My golf cart battery guide covers lifespans and replacement costs for both.
On controllers and motors: STAR EV uses AC drive systems, which are generally more efficient and better on hills than the older DC setups on budget carts. I haven't found documented, widespread controller failures on the Sirius. What I have found is third-party reporting that owners of older Star models have had trouble getting some OEM parts, wiring harnesses and motors in particular. That's a parts-supply issue, not a design flaw, and it brings us to the next section.
Sirius Warranty, Parts and Dealer Service
A new Sirius golf cart comes with a 4-year limited warranty, 2 years of bumper-to-bumper coverage, and a separate lithium battery warranty of up to 6.5 years. Those terms come from STAR EV's own product-page FAQs. The bumper-to-bumper part excludes wear items like tires and brake pads, and the coverage runs from the date of purchase from an authorized STAR EV dealer.
For a used buyer, a 2023 cart bought new in mid-2023 is past its bumper-to-bumper coverage now, but could still be inside the 4-year limited warranty and well inside the battery warranty. Whether any of that follows the cart to you is a separate question, and I couldn't confirm STAR EV's transfer rules from public pages. So before you buy, call a STAR EV dealer with the serial number and ask two things: what coverage is left, and does it transfer to a second owner. A five-minute call can be worth thousands.
Parts and service run through the dealer network. STAR EV has a dealer locator, parts manuals, owner's manuals and a technical support page on its site, and aftermarket suppliers carry common parts like windshields and battery kits. Still, this isn't Club Car. There are fewer STAR EV dealers, and some areas don't have one nearby.
So find your closest STAR EV dealer before you buy, not after something breaks. If it's three hours away, factor that into your offer.
Which Star Model Is Best for a Street-Legal Neighborhood Cart?
The Sirius is STAR EV's best pick for street use, because it's built as a low-speed vehicle from the start. STAR EV says the Sirius meets the federal LSV standard (FMVSS No. 500), which covers lighting, mirrors, seat belts and the 25 mph top speed. It ships with DOT-certified LED projection headlights and self-canceling turn signals.
The Capella is the one to be careful with. STAR EV lists LSV configurations for it, but its own FAQ also says the Capella is "designed primarily for golf course and gated-community use." So a used Capella may or may not be set up for the street. Check before you assume.
And here's the part sellers skip. Federal LSV equipment is only half of street legal. Your state decides whether the cart can be titled, registered and insured, and what roads it can use. A street-ready Sirius is useless on the road if it was never titled. Ask for the title or registration, look for a 17-digit VIN, and read my street-legal golf cart and LSV guide for how the rules work.
What to Inspect on a Used Sirius Before You Pay
A used Sirius golf cart inspection comes down to the battery, the drive, the street equipment and the paperwork. Here's the list I'd run through, in order:
- Battery type and size. Lift the seat. Confirm lithium vs lead-acid and read the amp-hour rating on the pack.
- Charge level and range. Ask the seller to fully charge it before you arrive, then drive it for 15 to 20 minutes including a hill. Watch whether the state-of-charge display drops steadily or falls off a cliff.
- Charger. Make sure the charger comes with the cart and works. Plug it in and confirm it starts charging.
- Drive and brakes. Full throttle from a stop, then a hard stop. Listen for grinding, clunking or a whine that changes under load. Check that it holds on a slope.
- Street equipment. Test headlights (high and low), turn signals, brake lights, horn, mirrors and every seat belt.
- Lift kit and suspension. On lifted carts, look for bent arms, worn bushings and uneven tire wear, which can mean alignment problems.
- Paperwork. Serial number, VIN if it's an LSV, title or registration, and the original dealer's name so you can check warranty status.
For the full version, including the battery voltage test and the frame spots that rust, use my used golf cart inspection checklist.
So, Is a Sirius Golf Cart Worth It?
Yes, a used Sirius golf cart is worth it if there's a STAR EV dealer within reasonable driving distance. A 2- or 3-year-old Sirius gives you lithium, LED lighting, LSV equipment and a 25 mph top speed for roughly half to two-thirds of new. That's a better deal than most premium carts.
Where I'd pass: no dealer nearby, a seller who can't tell you the battery size, or a cart sold as street legal with no title and no VIN. Those three cover most of the bad Sirius purchases.
Also weighing a Mammoth? Today's other post covers Mammoth golf carts, which cost more new but run a 72-volt system.
Star and Sirius Golf Cart FAQ
Who makes the Sirius golf cart?
STAR EV makes it. The Sirius is a model line from STAR EV, which builds its carts in Simpsonville, South Carolina. "Star Sirius" and "Star EV Sirius" refer to the same cart.
How fast does a Sirius golf cart go?
Up to 25 mph when it's set up as a street-legal LSV, and 19.5 mph in standard golf-cart mode. Speed is set in the controller, so ask the seller which mode the cart is in.
How far can a Sirius go on one charge?
STAR EV's FAQ says 40 to 60 miles, depending on terrain and use. The real number depends on the pack size (80Ah to 210Ah), the cart's load, hills and the battery's age. I'd plan around 40 for a used cart.
Is a Star EV Sirius better than a Club Car?
Not better, different. The Sirius gives you more equipment for the money, including lithium and LSV lighting. A Club Car gives you a bigger dealer network and easier parts. If service access matters more to you than features, buy the Club Car.
What should I pay for a used Sirius golf cart?
For a 2021 to 2023 Sirius, asking prices on Commonplace mostly run about $7,500 to $10,750. Lifted six-seaters and carts with big lithium packs sit at the top of that range. Older 2018 Star EV models mostly list for about $4,400 to $7,000.
Selling a Star or Sirius? List it on Commonplace. We pick it up, inspect it and deliver it, so you don't spend weeks fielding test-drive requests from strangers.
Buying one? Browse used golf carts on Commonplace. Every cart is inspected at pickup, delivered to your door, and covered by our 60-day warranty. Here's how it works.