Many people claim that comparing UTVs with golf carts is a lot like comparing apples to oranges. That might be true in some places where only one of these vehicles is admissable. However, there are several instances where both options are on the table.
In such cases, it would be best to make a detailed comparison of UTVs vs, golf carts. The vital question here is; which one is right for you? And that’s exactly what we hope to answer in this article.
A Fair Comparison of UTVs and Golf Carts
There are tons of biased comparisons between UTVs and golf carts, primarily, because of the eternal rivalry between both vehicles.
Most people have strong opinions on which ones they like best. But here we do things differently. We level the playing field by selecting vehicles of similar attributes, then we compare these two special vehicles in every way that matters.
General Usage
This is the main deciding factor of whether a UTV is an optimal choice or a golf cart would be better.
UTV
UTVs are built for overcoming tough stuff. They brave rough terrain, they can drive up steep slopes, and they can easily carry heavy loads. Most UTVs come with hooks to connect a trailer without hassle. This makes it perfect as a task vehicle.
Golf Cart
Golf carts were traditionally built to move quietly around golf courses. They often transport less than a handful of passengers, along with their golfing gear. More recent models expanded this usage, and now golf carts can be seen in camps, beach resorts, hotels, convention centers, and parks.
Off-Road Usage
UTVs and golf carts are often used within specific locations like farms, camps, resorts, and various other limited spaces. They’re there to do a specific function that doesn’t involve driving on the main road.
UTVs belong more in challenging spots. For example, on a farm where people are constantly moving heavy materials. Forests, deserts, dunes, and off-road locations are also more suitable for power vehicles like UTVs.
Golf carts are more at home in luxurious places. To demonstrate, they are the perfect vehicles at a beach resort where people just need a comfy ride to the beach, the hotel, or the other scenic spots that tourists should see.
Public Road Usage
Here is where things get interesting. Despite the performance of UTVs or golf carts on the road, they aren’t allowed to drive everywhere. Only specific roads in certain counties allow the usage of either or both vehicles.
It’s essential then to know the relevant regulations and only drive a UTV or golf cart where that is legit.
Apart from that, if we assume that both vehicles can go on-road, what should we expect from them?
A UTV still goes fast and far. It’s a stable car with tires that grab hold of any road, and an amazing speeding capacity. so that would be a nice drive. Contrary to that, a golf cart would be a slow snail in a fast lane. Slightly out of place there.
Speed and Range
The speed of any vehicle depends on three main points:
- How powerful is its motor
- Whether the vehicle runs on gas or a battery
- The loading of the vehicle
- The roughness of the terrain
Thus, to assess the performance of both vehicles objectively, we should assume that they have the same set of challenges and assets.
The simplest format is always an electric motor on a level grass field. Let’s also assume that both vehicles are carrying four passengers and light baggage. And here’s what to expect from each vehicle.
The top speed of an electric golf cart rarely exceeds the 35 mph mark. Usually, these vehicles meander at the leisurely speed of 14 mph.
On the other hand, an electric UTV like the Ranger XP Kinetic can easily reach a jaw-dropping speed of 124 mph. For a small lightweight vehicle, this is pretty fast.
In a similar fashion, the range of golf carts is often significantly lower than UTVs. This has to do with what’s expected of each vehicle. No one expects golf carts to take long trips, while UTVs are normally treated as workhorses.
Safety and Stability
On even ground, both UTVs and golf carts are stable. The true test is on rough terrain or steep inclines.
UTVs are designed to tackle challenging roads with ease, even while carrying passengers and substantials loads. Their suspension system is absolutely brilliant, and so, these cars remain balanced and take beastly hurdles in stride.
Golf carts are by definition cute little vehicles made for cruising lush golf courses. That’s why i’s not uncommon that they trip back, roll over, or stop in their tracks when faced with steeps. Rocky roads are generally off-limits for these carts.
Price
The price of a basic UTV is easily double that of a basic golf cart. This makes perfect sense considering the amount of engineering that goes into each. Prices often range from $10,000 to north of $30,000. The higher-end products are, as expected, true beauties with exceptional performance.
It’s worth mentioning that the business of accessorizing golf carts has boomed like crazy in recent years. This naturally ramps up the price of these carts to almost that of a golf cart. These aristo-vehicles come with price tags going from $1000 to around $20,000.
The Final Verdict
There are very few instances where a UTV and a golf cart would be both on the table. The choice is often based on the expected usage of the vehicle, rather than its performance or price.
Typically, a UTV would be the perfect choice for heavy-duty work. This includes driving on rough terrain, transporting heavy materials, and needing to cover long distances quickly.
A golf cart is more useful in lush meadows and on level ground. It transports passengers quietly and smoothly, and if they have some baggage, it can handle that too.
The UTVs come at a much higher price than a golf cart. Their costs only come close when the golf cart gets a complete makeover with every conceivable option attached.