Quick Answer: The 2027 model year brings golf carts closer to small cars than ever before. Expect lithium batteries as the standard rather than the upgrade, larger touchscreens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, better suspension, and expanded street legal LSV options across more states. Major brands including EZGO, Club Car, and Tomberlin have already announced 2027 models with these upgrades. If you are shopping now, the smart move is to compare what a 2027 model actually adds against the cost, since many of these features already exist on current 2026 lithium equipped carts we sell today.
Golf cart manufacturers roll out new model years the same way car companies do, usually starting mid year with press previews before carts reach dealers. The 2027 model year is already taking shape, and several manufacturers have shown their hand early. Here is what buyers on the Central Coast should know before the new models arrive.
Why the 2027 Model Year Is a Bigger Deal Than Usual
For years, golf cart model year changes meant small things. A new color option. A slightly different seat fabric. That has changed. The last two model years have brought real engineering shifts, including lithium batteries moving from an expensive option to a standard feature, and full street legal LSV packages becoming a mainstream product line rather than a niche add on.
EZGO has already confirmed its all new Liberty vehicle for the 2027 model year, a ground up redesign built around a four forward facing seat layout, a 10 inch touchscreen, and Samsung SDI lithium battery technology. Club Car has 2027 Onward models already reaching dealers with SportDrive suspension and integrated CarPlay and Android Auto. These are not small refreshes. They represent a real jump in what a golf cart is expected to deliver.
What Will Be Different in 2027
Lithium Batteries Become the Standard, Not the Upgrade
For years, lithium batteries were the premium option buyers paid extra for. Heading into 2027, more manufacturers are shipping lithium as the base configuration on their higher end trims, with lead acid pushed down to entry level pricing only. That shift matters because lithium delivers longer range, faster charging, and none of the watering maintenance that lead acid requires. If you want the full breakdown of why this matters, read our guide on lead acid versus LiFePO4 batteries.
Bigger Screens and Real Infotainment
The 2027 EZGO Liberty ships with a 10 inch touchscreen, a soundbar with LED lighting, and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Club Car’s 2027 Onward lineup includes similar connectivity. Expect this to become table stakes across more brands rather than a feature limited to flagship models. Diagnostics are moving onto these screens too, showing speed, battery state, and charge level in real time instead of a basic gauge cluster.
More States Expanding Street Legal LSV Rules
Street legal low speed vehicles continue to gain ground state by state, with more areas allowing LSVs on roads posted up to 35 mph. Manufacturers are responding by building more of their lineup around street legal specifications from the factory rather than as an aftermarket add on. California owners already benefit from established LSV rules, and our guide on golf cart laws in California covers exactly what is required here.
Suspension and Ride Quality Improvements
Club Car’s SportDrive suspension on the 2027 Onward line points to a broader trend. Manufacturers are investing in ride quality the way they used to invest only in speed and range. Expect smoother rides over uneven terrain and less body roll on carts built for both course and street use.
Solar Charging Moves From Novelty to Standard Feature
Integrated solar roofs that trickle charge a lithium pack during the day are becoming more common as a factory or dealer installed option. They will not replace wall charging, but they can add meaningful range on carts that sit outside during daylight hours.
Customization and Accessories You Will See More Of in 2027
The accessory market is following the same trajectory as the vehicles themselves. Here is what we expect to see more of as 2027 models reach dealers.
Lift kits and larger off road wheel packages continue to grow in popularity, especially on six passenger and utility oriented carts. If you are considering a lift, our guide on golf cart lift kits explains the types available and what installation involves.
Rear entertainment screens, once limited to novelty import carts, are showing up on mainstream manufacturer options as buyers ask for them. Expect more factory supported entertainment packages rather than aftermarket installs.
Custom paint and wrap programs are expanding as manufacturers compete on style as much as spec sheets. Buyers increasingly want a cart that looks distinct, not just one that performs well.
ADA compliant configurations, including modified access and securement options, are also becoming more available across brands as demand grows from communities and commercial buyers. We already offer a range of these builds, covered in our guide to ADA compliant golf carts.
Sound systems, upgraded lighting packages, and app connected diagnostics round out the accessory list we expect to see standardized further in 2027.
Brands to Watch for the 2027 Model Year
EZGO has the most dramatic announcement so far with the all new Liberty, a four forward facing seat LSV built from the ground up with lithium power and a full infotainment system.
Club Car is bringing its 2027 Onward lineup to market with SportDrive suspension and integrated smart connectivity, continuing its focus on comfort and daily usability.
Tomberlin remains the brand to watch for buyers who want a true purpose built street legal LSV rather than a golf cart adapted for road use. Expect continued investment in safety and compliance features that keep Tomberlin in a premium, low volume category. You can see our current Tomberlin lineup, including the Engage Ghosthawk, in our inventory.
Evolution, Icon, and Denago have all shown steady year over year improvement in build quality and feature sets, and we expect that trend to continue into 2027 rather than any single dramatic redesign. If you are trying to decide between two of the most requested brands right now, our comparison of Denago versus Evolution is a good starting point.
What to Look For When You Buy a 2027 Model
Battery chemistry. Confirm whether lithium is standard or an upgrade on the specific trim you are looking at. The price difference between trims often comes down to this single spec.
Warranty coverage. New model year vehicles typically carry the strongest warranty terms a manufacturer offers. Compare warranty length and what it actually covers, not just the headline number of years.
Street legal certification. If you plan to drive on public roads, confirm the cart is properly certified as a low speed vehicle and can be registered through the California DMV. Our street legal golf carts page walks through what that requires.
Local dealer support. A new model year is exciting, but a cart is only as good as the service network behind it. Buy from a dealer who can actually service what they sell.
Financing terms. New model year pricing can shift throughout the year as inventory arrives. Our golf cart financing page can help you understand what a monthly payment looks like before you commit to a specific trim.
Should You Wait for 2027 or Buy Now
This is the question we get every time a new model year is announced. Here is our honest take.
If the specific feature you want, like a 10 inch touchscreen or a ground up redesign like the EZGO Liberty, is genuinely new to 2027, waiting makes sense. You will pay a premium for a first model year release, but you get the newest technology available.
If what you actually want is lithium power, strong range, and a comfortable street legal cart, most of that is already available on 2026 models we have in stock today, often at a better price than an all new 2027 release will carry in its first year. New model year vehicles are frequently priced at a premium during their first several months before pricing normalizes.
The best move is to talk with us directly about what you are trying to get out of a new cart. We can tell you honestly whether waiting for a specific 2027 release makes sense for your situation, or whether a current model gets you there sooner and for less money.
Call us at (805) 225-5228 or stop by our Grover Beach showroom at 231 Beckett Pl to talk through your options as new 2027 inventory starts arriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do 2027 golf cart models become available?
Manufacturers typically preview new model year carts in late winter and early spring, with dealer inventory arriving through summer and fall of the prior calendar year. EZGO and Club Car have already announced 2027 models, with wider availability expected through the second half of 2026.
What is the biggest change coming to 2027 golf carts?
The clearest trend is lithium batteries moving from a paid upgrade to a standard feature on higher trims, paired with larger touchscreens, smartphone connectivity, and expanded street legal LSV configurations across more manufacturers.
Will 2027 golf carts be more expensive?
New model year releases with major redesigns, like the EZGO Liberty, typically carry a price premium in their first year on the market. Carts with smaller year over year updates tend to see more modest pricing changes.
Should I buy a 2026 golf cart or wait for a 2027 model?
If you want a specific new feature that only the 2027 release offers, waiting can make sense. If you want strong lithium range and street legal capability, many 2026 models already deliver that at a more predictable price point.
Are 2027 golf carts street legal in California?
Street legal status depends on the specific vehicle’s certification and equipment, not the model year alone. Manufacturers are building more street legal LSV options into their lineups, but you should always confirm DMV registration requirements for the exact cart you are considering.
