Brand Comparison

YamahavsICON EV

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

Overall Winner: Yamaha

Yamaha wins for buyers who prioritize the industry's best warranty (4 years) and proven Big 3 reliability. ICON wins for buyers who want more features and the longest battery warranty (10 years) at a lower price. Both use steel frames, so the choice comes down to warranty philosophy vs. upfront value.

Quick Comparison

Key differences at a glance

YamahaWINNER

ICON EV

Price Range

$9,481 - $20,995

$8,995 - $16,995

Frame Material

Steel (powder-coated)

Warranty

4 years

3 years

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Detailed comparison across all important factors

Category	Yamaha	ICON EV	Winner
Brand Reputation & Track Record	10/10 45+ years as one of the Big 3. Global brand known for quality across motorcycles, marine, and golf carts. Manufactures their own engines.	6/10 Founded 2017. Growing reputation as a value leader. Still proving long-term reliability.	Yamaha
Vehicle Warranty	10/10 Industry-leading 4-year limited warranty, the longest among all major brands.	7/10 3-year vehicle warranty. Good coverage but shorter than Yamaha's.	Yamaha
Battery Warranty	7/10 4-year battery warranty on lithium models. Solid but not industry-leading.	10/10 10-year ECO Lithium warranty, the longest in the entire industry.	ICON EV
Price & Value	6/10 Premium Big 3 pricing starting at $9,481. You're paying for brand reputation and warranty.	9/10 Excellent value starting at $8,995 with more standard features and street-legal ready.	ICON EV
Features & Technology	7/10 Automotive-style dashboard, Bluetooth options, USB connections. Quality but traditional approach.	9/10 7-inch digital display, Bluetooth audio, USB charging, LED lighting all standard. All models street-legal ready.	ICON EV
Comfort & Seating	9/10 Industry-leading seating comfort. Contoured seats, excellent legroom, premium materials.	7/10 Comfortable seating with good ergonomics. Quality for the price but not as plush as Yamaha.	Yamaha
Gas Engine Performance	10/10 QuieTech EFI at 60.5 dB, quieter than most electric carts. 45 MPG fuel efficiency. Best gas engine in the industry.	0/10 ICON only offers electric models. No gas option available.	Yamaha
Dealer Network	9/10 Extensive nationwide dealer network built over 45+ years. Easy to find service anywhere.	7/10 Growing dealer network, strong in Florida and Texas. Still expanding national coverage.	Yamaha

Brand Reputation & Track Record

Yamaha

Yamaha10/10

45+ years as one of the Big 3. Global brand known for quality across motorcycles, marine, and golf carts. Manufactures their own engines.

ICON EV6/10

Founded 2017. Growing reputation as a value leader. Still proving long-term reliability.

Vehicle Warranty

Yamaha

Yamaha10/10

Industry-leading 4-year limited warranty, the longest among all major brands.

ICON EV7/10

3-year vehicle warranty. Good coverage but shorter than Yamaha's.

Battery Warranty

ICON EV

Yamaha7/10

4-year battery warranty on lithium models. Solid but not industry-leading.

ICON EV10/10

10-year ECO Lithium warranty, the longest in the entire industry.

Price & Value

ICON EV

Yamaha6/10

Premium Big 3 pricing starting at $9,481. You're paying for brand reputation and warranty.

ICON EV9/10

Excellent value starting at $8,995 with more standard features and street-legal ready.

Features & Technology

ICON EV

Yamaha7/10

Automotive-style dashboard, Bluetooth options, USB connections. Quality but traditional approach.

ICON EV9/10

7-inch digital display, Bluetooth audio, USB charging, LED lighting all standard. All models street-legal ready.

Comfort & Seating

Yamaha

Yamaha9/10

Industry-leading seating comfort. Contoured seats, excellent legroom, premium materials.

ICON EV7/10

Comfortable seating with good ergonomics. Quality for the price but not as plush as Yamaha.

Gas Engine Performance

Yamaha

Yamaha10/10

QuieTech EFI at 60.5 dB, quieter than most electric carts. 45 MPG fuel efficiency. Best gas engine in the industry.

ICON EV0/10

ICON only offers electric models. No gas option available.

Dealer Network

Yamaha

Yamaha9/10

Extensive nationwide dealer network built over 45+ years. Easy to find service anywhere.

ICON EV7/10

Growing dealer network, strong in Florida and Texas. Still expanding national coverage.

Popular Model Comparisons

Head-to-head matchups of similar models

Yamaha Drive2 PTV

$10,161

ICON i40

$8,995

Seating2 passengers

Seating4 passengers

Warranty4 years

Warranty3-year vehicle, 10-year battery

Key FeaturesStreet-legal ready, premium seating

Key FeaturesDigital display, Bluetooth, street-legal

ICON is $1,166 cheaper with 2 more seats and longer battery warranty; Yamaha has longer vehicle warranty and proven reliability.

Yamaha Drive2 Concierge 4

$12,455

ICON i40L (Lifted)

$10,995

Seating4 passengers

Warranty4 years

Warranty10-year battery

Key FeaturesPremium seating, Bluetooth, comfort package

Key FeaturesLifted suspension, off-road capable

ICON is $1,460 cheaper with lifted suspension; Yamaha offers superior comfort and 4-year warranty.

Which Should You Buy?

Recommendations based on your priorities

ICON EV

Best for: Best lithium warranty & variety

Choose if you...

1Budget is a primary consideration
2You want the longest lithium battery warranty (10 years)
3More standard features matter to you
4You need street-legal ready out of the box
5Model variety and lifted options are important

View ICON EV models

Yamaha

Best for: Warranty & quiet gas engines

RECOMMENDED

Choose if you...

1You want the longest manufacturer warranty (4 years)
2Proven Big 3 reliability matters to you
3Seating comfort is a top priority
4You need gas-powered option (QuieTech EFI)
5Extensive dealer network access is important

View Yamaha models

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Yamaha vs ICON EV FAQs

Common questions about these two brands

Is Yamaha worth the extra money over ICON?

For buyers who prioritize proven reliability, comfort, and the industry's longest vehicle warranty (4 years), yes. Yamaha's 45+ year track record provides confidence. For buyers focused on features and battery warranty, ICON's 10-year lithium coverage and lower prices may be better value.

Which brand is more reliable?

Yamaha has a 45+ year track record of exceptional reliability and manufactures their own engines. ICON is newer (founded 2017) but has built a good reputation. Yamaha is the safer bet for proven long-term reliability.

Which has better warranty coverage overall?

It depends on priorities. Yamaha has a longer vehicle warranty (4 years vs 3). ICON has a much longer lithium battery warranty (10 years vs 4). For overall vehicle coverage, Yamaha wins. For battery-specific coverage, ICON wins decisively.

Does ICON offer gas-powered carts like Yamaha?

No, ICON only makes electric golf carts. If you need a gas-powered cart, especially with Yamaha's whisper-quiet QuieTech EFI engine, Yamaha is your only choice between these two brands.

Which is better for neighborhoods?

Both work well. ICON offers more affordable street-legal options with more features. Yamaha provides superior comfort and the quietest operation (if gas). Choose ICON for value and features, Yamaha for comfort and proven reliability.

Which brand has better resale value?

Yamaha has better resale value due to its Big 3 brand recognition and long track record. ICON carts hold value reasonably well for a newer brand but can't match Yamaha's established reputation in the used market.

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