Golf Cart Repair Near Me
Yamaha Golf Cart
Cushman Golf Cart
Brand Comparison

YamahavsCushman

Complete comparison of two popular golf cart brands. Which is right for you?

Overall Winner: Cushman

Yamaha wins for personal transportation with its industry-leading 4-year warranty, legendary comfort, and refined driving experience. Cushman wins for commercial utility, heavy hauling, and industrial applications with over 120 years of work vehicle heritage. Choose Yamaha for personal enjoyment; choose Cushman when the job comes first.

Quick Comparison

Key differences at a glance

Yamaha
CushmanWINNER
Price Range
$9,481 - $20,995
$10,000 - $25,000+
Frame Material
Steel (powder-coated)
Heavy-duty steel
Warranty
4 years
2 years

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Detailed comparison across all important factors

Warranty Coverage

Yamaha
Yamaha10/10

Industry-leading 4-year warranty. The longest standard warranty in the golf cart industry.

Cushman6/10

Standard 2-year commercial warranty. Adequate but not exceptional.

Comfort & Ride Quality

Yamaha
Yamaha10/10

Known for the most comfortable seats in the industry. Premium ergonomics and smooth ride.

Cushman5/10

Bench seats and utilitarian design. Function over comfort.

Commercial & Industrial Use

Cushman
Yamaha5/10

UMAX utility line available but not the primary focus. Good for light commercial use.

Cushman10/10

Purpose-built for commercial work. The standard for airports, campuses, and industrial facilities.

Payload & Hauling

Cushman
Yamaha6/10

Moderate payload capacity suitable for personal use and light utility.

Cushman10/10

Heavy-duty hauling with superior payload capacity. Built for commercial loads.

Gas Engine Options

Yamaha
Yamaha10/10

QuieTech EFI - the quietest gas engine in the industry. Whisper-quiet operation.

Cushman7/10

Gas options available but not as refined. Focus is on durability over refinement.

Brand Heritage

Cushman
Yamaha8/10

45+ years in golf carts. Part of a global powersports giant.

Cushman10/10

120+ years of utility vehicle history. American industrial icon since 1903.

Dealer Network

Yamaha
Yamaha9/10

Extensive golf cart dealer network nationwide. Yamaha dealerships everywhere.

Cushman7/10

Strong commercial accounts but smaller consumer-facing network.

Personal Transportation

Yamaha
Yamaha10/10

Designed for personal enjoyment. Drive2 and Concierge lines excel at neighborhood transport.

Cushman5/10

Shuttle line available but not optimized for personal recreation.

Popular Model Comparisons

Head-to-head matchups of similar models

Yamaha Drive2 PTV

$9,161

Cushman Shuttle 2+2

$12,000+

Seating2 passengers
Seating4 passengers
Warranty4-year
Warranty2-year
Key FeaturesPremium comfort, QuieTech EFI option
Key FeaturesCommercial-grade, versatile seating

Yamaha is $3,000+ cheaper with double the warranty; Cushman offers commercial durability and 4-seat capacity.

Yamaha UMAX Rally 2+2

$12,500+

Cushman Hauler 800

$11,000+

Seating4 passengers
Seating2 passengers
Warranty4-year
Warranty-
Key FeaturesUtility-focused, comfortable
Key FeaturesHeavy-duty hauling, cargo bed

Yamaha seats more with better warranty; Cushman has superior payload capacity for commercial hauling.

Which Should You Buy?

Recommendations based on your priorities

Yamaha

Best for: Warranty & quiet gas engines

Choose if you...

  • 1Personal transportation and enjoyment is your priority
  • 2You want the industry's best warranty (4 years)
  • 3Comfort and ride quality matter most
  • 4You prefer a quiet gas engine option (QuieTech EFI)
  • 5Neighborhood and recreational use is your focus
View Yamaha models

Cushman

Best for: Quality & reliability

RECOMMENDED

Choose if you...

  • 1Commercial or industrial use is your priority
  • 2You need heavy payload capacity for hauling
  • 3Work vehicle durability matters most
  • 4You're outfitting a campus, facility, or fleet
  • 5Utility and function outweigh personal comfort
View Cushman models

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Yamaha vs Cushman FAQs

Common questions about these two brands

Is Yamaha or Cushman better for personal use?

Yamaha is significantly better for personal use with its 4-year warranty, industry-leading comfort, and Drive2/Concierge models designed for recreation. Cushman is built for work, not personal enjoyment.

Which is better for a large property or campus?

Cushman is the industry standard for campus, airport, and facility use. Their commercial-grade construction, payload capacity, and fleet support are purpose-built for this application. Yamaha works well for lighter personal transport on large properties.

Why is Yamaha's warranty so much longer?

Yamaha's 4-year warranty reflects their confidence in personal vehicle reliability and their focus on the consumer market. Cushman's 2-year commercial warranty is standard for work vehicles with different use patterns and expectations.

Does Cushman make comfortable golf carts?

Cushman's Shuttle line is acceptable for passenger transport, but comfort isn't their priority. If comfort matters, Yamaha is known for the best seats in the industry and the smoothest ride experience.

Can I use a Yamaha for commercial applications?

Yamaha's UMAX line is designed for commercial use on golf courses and facilities. However, for heavy industrial applications and serious hauling, Cushman's purpose-built utility vehicles are the better choice.

Are both brands owned by the same company?

No. Yamaha Golf-Cart Company is part of Yamaha Motor Corporation. Cushman is owned by Textron (alongside E-Z-GO and Club Car). They are separate companies with different design philosophies.
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