Two of the most common models in the EZGO line-up of golf carts are the EZGO TXT and the EZGO RXV. These two models were originally designed for use on the golf course, but have since become popular off the course as well.
The EZGO TXT golf car model came out in 1996 and offered both a gas and electric version of the vehicle. Since then, the TXT has gone through several revisions. The EZGO RXV didn’t come out until 2008, so that’s the point from which I will start the comparison between the two models.
The main differences between the gas versions of the EZGO RXV and TXT are that they have different frames, body styles, seat cushions, suspension, and brake pedal assemblies.
The main differences between the electric 48V versions of the RXV and TXT are that they have different frames, body styles, seat cushions, suspension, and fundamentally different electric motors and braking systems.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about these differences, read on.
Body Style
When the EZGO RXV came out in 2008 it provided a vastly different look from the TXT model. The RXV introduced a much rounder front cowl design. The fleet versions look finished and complete, and the Freedom (consumer versions) with the headlights and taillights look natural. I’m no automotive-design critic, but I think the “lines” flow nicely.
The really nice feature of the redesigned body is the large wheel wells. You can easily fit a 215/50-12 Tire/wheel assembly on the RXV without needing to add a lift kit. I’m not aware of any other model of golf cart that can accommodate that size of wheel without a lift. But as you might expect with that size of tire, it does increase your turning radius.
The 1″ wide(square) top struts and 54″ RXV sun canopy (aka Top), was sturdier than the TXT’s somewhat flimsy design.
Seats. The RXV introduced a slightly different style of seats in 2008, but when they introduced a refreshed version of the RXV in 2016, the seats were significantly different from the TXT. 2016+ RXV models have a firmer, molded seat cushion that appear to hold up a little longer that the TXT seats as well as longer than Yamaha and Club Car seat cushions.
Dash and cupholders. The EZGO TXT cupholders are pretty basic. Four cupholders, center vehicle, all in a single row. The RXV introduced more of a “console-style” cupholder. The original RXV cupholder design waisted a lot of space in the console, but the refreshed version of the cupholder that were introduced in 2021 look much sleeker, they have smoother, rounded edges, and incorporate space for a tablet and/or smart phone.
Accessories. The RXV has similar accessories as the TXT model, but the mounting of things like a ball/club washer, cooler, and sweater basket just seems sturdier on the RXV.
Suspension
The RXV model introduced independent front suspension and a mono (single) leaf rear spring. Frankly, if you’re driving a golf car the way you’re supposed to, it isn’t a significant difference to me. The main difference I’ve personally seen is if you’re going over (or down) a curb the golf car doesn’t rock as violently, thus saving your favorite beverage from spilling.
The front suspension of the RXV includes independent
The mono-leaf rear suspension is interesting. It certainly seems sturdier than the multi-leaf spring design in the TXT, which normally comes with a 2-leaf spring, but can be upgraded to a 3, or 4 heavy-duty spring.
Brake pedal assembly and brakes
A significant difference between the gas RXV and TXT models is the introduction of the new RXV brake pedal. If you’ve ever struggled to lock the parking brake on a golf cart before you know that on a few occasions you needed to literally kick the brake pedal to get it to lock. You can certainly appreciate what the engineers tried to do with the RXV brake pedal then.
Unfortunately, they may have over-engineered it and missed on the gas RXV. When properly adjusted, the brake is indeed much softer to lock and releases nicely when you press the accelerator pedal. The unfortunate part is that the brakes are seldom properly adjusted. This leads to the brake pedal violently “kicking” back when the accelerator is pressed, and in some cases the kick-off linkage rod will pop off.
For this reason, I prefer the TXT brake pedal assembly.
Differences between an electric TXT and electric RXV
There are enough significant differences between the electric 48V versions of the TXT and RXV that I thought they warranted their own section here.
The TXT 48V comes with a 6 x 8-volt battery configuration where the RXV standard configuration is with 4 x 12V batteries. This actually makes the RXV battery weight slightly less than the TXT (about 50 lbs.) And indeed, the specs of both vehicles do show that the TXT-48V is roughly about 40 lbs. heavier than the RXV-48V.
A six, 8-volt battery configuration is optional with the RXV though and it appears that having that configuration will give you a longer runtime on a single charge.
A major difference between the two vehicles was the introduction of an AC electric motor with the RXV. An AC motor is about 20% more efficient than the DC motor that comes with the TXT 48V.
Along with the AC motor, the RXV also introduced the patented IntelliBrake™. Automatic parking brake. The RXV is the only golf cart on the market with this technology, and it is a really, really nice feature.
There are several articles published that go over the specs of both vehicles without doing an actual comparison, I hope you, the reader found this to be more helpful.
