Polaris GEM e4 review & price

Is the Polaris GEM e4 a good golf buggy?

The Polaris GEM e4 is a purpose-designed four-seat street-legal LSV people mover, road-legal in the US on roads posted up to 35 mph. Unlike a converted golf cart it is engineered from the ground up as a low-speed vehicle, with full safety equipment as standard.

We score it 8 out of 10. The high points are purpose-built LSV, not a converted cart, full safety equipment as standard and solar range-extender option on the range. The trade-offs to weigh up are 25 mph ceiling, doors, roof and lithium add cost and not UK-legal as standard.

How much does the Polaris GEM e4 cost?

In the US, roughly $17,490 to $22,000 (est.). Prices move with powertrain, trim and options, and most of this segment is quoted before delivery, tax and accessories.

Whatever the list price, we will aim to beat any genuine like-for-like quote on the equivalent Hawke model, so it is always worth a quick comparison before you buy.

Performance and drive

The GEM e4 is geared for low-speed road and site use, topping out around 25 mph. Drive comes from a Approx 6.5 kW AC. Expect a real-world range of Up to 50 on lithium (est.).

Space and practicality

It seats 4.

Running costs, charging and batteries

Power is Lithium electric or Lead-acid electric. 48V lead-acid or lithium-ion. As a rule, a lithium pack costs more up front but lasts far longer and needs no maintenance, where lead-acid is cheaper to buy but needs watering and careful charging.

Is it road legal?

UK: No as standard. US: Yes (LSV, FMVSS 500; belts, lights, mirrors, backup camera). In Britain, road use means the buggy must be approved as an L6e or L7e quadricycle and registered with the DVLA; in the US, a street-legal cart is a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) capped at 25 mph with the required lights, mirrors, belts and a windscreen.

Polaris GEM e4 alternatives

Worth cross-shopping against ICON EV i40, Cushman Shuttle 6. If you would like a like-for-like comparison with the equivalent Hawke model, our team can put the numbers side by side and price-match where we can.