John Deere Golf Carts? (Check Out The Gator!)

If you’re in the market for a new golf cart or UTV, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about the John Deere Gator, a UTV with distinction.

We explain the specs and price of the Gator and look at whether or not it’s street legal, given how fast it can go.

By the end of this article, you will be able to make a decision about whether a John Deere Gator is right for you. So, let’s take a look at the Gator in more detail.

Does John Deere Make Golf Carts?

John Deere manufactures the Gator, which is a high-performing XUV that is perfect for use as a golf cart and off-road vehicle. It’s specifically beneficial for farmers, hunters, and trail riders, given its high spec and off-roading capabilities.

You can choose between 2 or 4 passenger models, and the off-road Gator has a cargo capacity of up to 500 lbs. If you need something to carry heavier cargo, the work series Gator is probably the best option for you.

View the latest John Deere Golf Carts on the Official Website

The ideal option for an off-road golf cart is the mid-size crossover Gator, which is essentially a cross between a golf cart and an off-road trail vehicle. It has an instant switch for 4WD instigation and is extremely easy to drive.

In the following sections, we take a closer look at the John Deere Gator in more detail, so you can decide if this awesome XUV is a good option for you.

How Much Does the John Deere Gator Cost?

The cost of a John Deere Gator depends on the model that you opt for. You can see the price of some of the Gators in the table below:

As you can see, the John Deere Gator is fairly expensive, but it’s an outstanding XUV that performs exceptionally well off-road and on trails in particular. Therefore, if you’re looking for a golf cart that is well suited to uneven and difficult terrain, the Gator could be a good option for you.

When you order a Gator directly from John Deere, you can apply for various finance options if you don’t want to pay for the vehicle outright. This can be a good way of spreading its cost over a longer period of time.

Are John Deere Gators 4WD?

Yes, the John Deere Gator is a 4WD utility vehicle. It seems like a bit of an understatement to call it a golf cart, as it’s more of an offroad utility vehicle that is capable of maintaining its excellent performance across difficult terrains.

You can switch the Gator into 4WD mode as and when you need to, which makes it easy to go from surface to surface. After all, you don’t need 4WD on all the time, particularly when you’re using the Gator when going about your day-to-day business.

All of the Gator models have 4WD capabilities, so you can opt for any utility vehicle within the Gator range and have the confidence that it will do the business when you take it off-road!

This is one of the most attractive aspects of the Gator and is what helps it stand out from other utility vehicles. As such, if you’re looking for an off-road utility that has 4WD capability, the Gator is a good choice for you.

Do You Need a License to Drive a Gator?

There are no national guidelines when it comes to driving utility vehicles, and each state sets its own laws and regulations in regard to their use. One thing is for certain, however – if you wish to take your Gator out on the road, you will need to make it road legal and possess a valid driver’s license.

Some states don’t permit UTVs on highways, so you will need to check the legislation in your state before committing to a purchase. You also need to be mindful of the work required to make your UTV street legal.

You need to add things like a license tag, rearview and side mirrors, a horn, and various other features that may not be included in your UTV as standard. The work can be expensive and time-consuming, to say the least.

If you’re driving a John Deere Gator on your own property, you don’t necessarily need a driver’s license. But you should check your state laws to ensure that you use your Gator within the laws and regulations.

How Fast Does a John Deere Golf Cart Go?

The Gator is one of the quickest utility vehicles we have come across, with speeds ranging from 28 to 48 mph, depending on the model that you opt for. This is seriously fast for a UTV, and many other manufacturers limit their speeds to 20-25mph.

Due to the fast speed of the Gator, you need to make sure that you drive it responsibly. You should pay special attention when you’re driving on dangerous terrain and navigating tight trails, as you don’t want to lose control of the vehicle.

The work series Gators are more attuned to the speed of other golf carts, maxing out at 25 mph, but these are best suited for professional uses.

Overall, if you’re looking for a speedy utility vehicle that has significant bite, the Gator is a standout contender, particularly when compared with many other golf carts available on the market.

How Many Miles per Gallon Does a John Deere Gator Get?

When driven at a speed of 25mph, the John Deere Gator XUV averages approximately 18.8 miles per gallon. Of course, if you increase the speed and weight that you carry in your vehicle, the mpg will change.

You should also be mindful that the bigger model XUVs within the Gator range don’t have as good an MPG as the work vehicle or the smaller XUVs, which is worth bearing in mind if the cost of fuel concerns you.

The John Deere Gator isn’t the most economical XUV, but it certainly is one of the most enjoyable rides and is a great choice for off-roading.

As is the case with any vehicle, if you’re careful with your speed and drive economically, you can limit your fuel consumption. But if you drive super fast and use its 4WD setting a lot, you will use more fuel as a result.

Is a John Deere Gator street legal?

John Deere Gators are not street legal as standard, meaning that you will need to make certain modifications to your vehicle if you wish to take it out on the road. What’s more, you will need to check the laws in your state before taking your Gator on the highway.

For a UTV to be considered street legal, it needs to have the following:

• Rearview and side-view mirrors
• Safety belts  
• A license plate
• Tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals
• Rear reflectors
• Windshield and windshield wipers
• Speedometer
• High and low beams
• A horn
• Mud flaps

While the John Deere Gator comes with several of these items as standard, you will need to make the necessary adjustments before it can be considered road legal.

You also need to be mindful of the speed, as many UTVs are restricted to speeds of up to 25mph on the road. As such, we recommend researching the laws within your state before purchasing a Gator to ensure that you know whether or not you are permitted to drive it on the road with the right modifications.

John Deere Gator for Sale?

The best place to buy a new John Deere Gator is online via the John Deere store. Presently, all models have limited availability, given their popularity. Therefore, you might not be able to buy the model of your choice right away, but you can get in touch with John Deere to express your interest.

You can also enquire about a John Deere Gator at a golf cart retailer in your state, as it’s a common model that appears on lots from time to time.

As for a used UTV, you can look for a John Deere Gator for sale on the likes of eBay and Craigslist. Just be mindful that when you buy a used UTV, you will need to inspect its condition before committing to a purchase.

You should also check a seller’s online credentials before agreeing to a sale, as you don’t want to be caught out by an unscrupulous seller.

Conclusion

The John Deere Gator is one of the best utility vehicles on the market. So much more than a golf cart, it’s an excellent UTV that you can take off-road and use on uneven terrain and trails to your heart’s content.

As you would expect from a brand like John Deere, the build quality is excellent, and you can expect an exceptional level of performance from your UTV. Overall, it’s highly recommended and a great option if you’re looking to invest in a UTV.