Does the roar of a finely tuned engine make your heart race? Are you ready to trade the slow lane for the fast track right from your couch? The PlayStation 5 is a powerhouse, and its library of driving games is growing fast. However, scrolling through endless digital showrooms can be dizzying. Should you chase realistic physics, or perhaps prefer arcade mayhem? Finding the perfect car game that matches your driving style shouldn’t feel like a frustrating pit stop!
We know the struggle. You want stunning graphics and smooth gameplay, but every trailer seems similar. This guide cuts through the noise. We break down the best racing experiences available on the PS5 today. You will learn exactly which titles offer the most exciting tracks, the deepest customization, and the most heart-pounding action.
Keep reading to discover the definitive list of must-play PS5 car games. We will help you choose the perfect title so you can stop browsing and start racing!
Top Car Game Ps5 Recommendations
- Explore a vibrant Hawaiian open world. The Crew Motorfest has settled down in one of the most breathtaking places on Earth: the island of O’ahu, Hawaii. Join high-speed street races through the bustling city of Honolulu, test your skills off-road on the ashy slopes of a volcano, or master the perfect curve on the tracks
- Celebrate all the facets of car culture. Enjoy a variety of thrilling driving activities and choose how you want to have fun with your cars! Discover the playlists and dive into thematic campaigns that will immerse you in the most exciting car culture universes, including American muscle, Japanese-style street racing, and legendary machines of the past!
- Collect the most legendary cars. Compete in intense driving races, show off your own style, collect the most iconic cars, and much more! Master every driving challenge and fill your collection with the most legendary vehicles ever created
- Offer available while supplies last. Limited quantities available
- High-Speed, Adrenaline-Fueled Arcade Racing - Race across high-intensity tracks in licensed supercars with cinematic style, drifting, nitro boosts, and precision driving that captures the thrill of the original arcade classic.
- The Top Tier Arcade Racer, Brought to Console - Experience the full-throttle thrills of the arcade game at home, now optimized for consoles and with the same explosive action that made the original a fan favorite in arcades.
- Race Iconic Vehicles - Hit the road in 8 legendary cars including the Dodge Charger, Corvette Z06, Shelby GT500 KR, Ford GT, Bronco DR, Jeep Wrangler, and more.
- Customize Your Look, Your Way - Style your ride with custom vehicle color schemes that let you stand out on the track and represent your personality.
- Race Together in Local Multiplayer - Grab a friend and hit the track with 2 players in split-screen local multiplayer, bringing the arcade rivalry home with side-by-side action and nonstop competition.
- With the return of classic cars, iconic tracks, and fan-favourite modes like GT Simulation and Sport Mode - Gran Turismo 7 is the complete Real Driving Simulator, 25 years in the making.
- Find your line. Whether you're a racer, collector, tuner, designer, photographer or arcade fan - immerse yourself in the facets of automotive culture that matter most to you.
- Connect and compete. Join an international community of drivers to share race strategies, tuning tips, livery designs and photos, before taking to the track to go head-to-head.
- English (Subtitle)
- Catch sight of the driver in your rear-view mirror and watch the sun glint against the curves of your car's body, with support for 4K and HDR at a targeted 60fps framerate. You can also take stunningly realistic photos with the power of ray tracing on PS5
- The PS5 console's ultra-high-speed SSD lets you quickly start race events, gather in lobbies, browse your garage and seamlessly navigate GT7's modes and menus.
- Feel the vibration from the anti-lock brake system and wheel spins, and variation in the braking resistance of each different car, all through the adaptive triggers of your DualSense wireless controller.
- From the subtle bumps of the tarmac to the grooves of the kerb, feel your position on the road through immersive haptic feedback.
- Sense the position of other cars and drivers on the road with unparalleled clarity through the PS5 console's 3D Audio
- STUNNING VISUALS — Enhanced levels of fidelity and performance with new graphics modes featuring up to 4K resolution, up to 60 frames per second, HDR options, ray tracing, improved texture quality, and more
- FASTER LOADING — Quicker access to the action as the world of Los Santos and Blaine County load in faster than ever before.
- ADAPTIVE TRIGGERS AND HAPTIC FEEDBACK — Feel every moment through the DualSense controller, from directional damage to weather effects, rough road surfaces to explosions, and more.
- TEMPEST 3D AUDIO — Hear the sounds of the world with pinpoint precision: the throttle of a stolen supercar, the rattle of neighbouring gunfire, the roar of a helicopter overhead, and more.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the European version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
- Career mode, unanimously hailed as one of the best-developed and most complete in a racing game, has also been comprehensively upgraded and now Includes a livery editor, so you can create your own team and add your colors to contemporary cars
- With a hyper-realistic and ultra-precise physics engine, WRC 10 has Made the feeling of driving even better, with better aerodynamic force, turbo and braking management, on all surfaces; the sound design has also been revamped to reinforce the immersion
- A particularly competitive esport, with daily and Weekly challenges, and Clubs so you can create your own competitions, drivers can measure themselves against the community at their own levels
- AN IMMEDIATE OFF-ROAD ARCADE GAME - Perfect for Monster Jam fans and a must play for arcade racing gamers: Monster Jam Showdown is ready to bring you a vast and easy-to-access offroad racing challenge!
- SHOW OFF YOUR FREESTYLE SKILLS - Performing amazing tricks in the Freestyle competitions is at the essence of every Monster Jam event around the world.
- MASTER THE MOST ICONIC MONSTER JAM TRUCKS - The excitement of real-life Monster Jam events comes to the video game world, thanks to the franchise's most recognizable icons: the trucks! Grave Digger, Toro Loco, Megalodon, Maximum Destruction and many others...
- RACE BIG ACROSS 3 DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS - Get ready to let all your favorite trucks roar outside the stadiums, driving through the most spectacular untamed environments!
- FIND YOUR FAVOURITE GAME MODE - Start your career in a non-linear journey through a variety of racing and freestyle game modes in all three biomes, beat the competition and become the champion of the Showdown Tour!
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Next PS5 Car Game
Picking the right racing game for your PlayStation 5 can feel like choosing the fastest car in a lineup. We break down what you need to look for so you drive home with the best title.
Key Features to Look For
Graphics and Performance
The PS5 can push amazing visuals. Look for games that run at 60 frames per second (FPS). This means the action looks super smooth. High dynamic range (HDR) support makes colors pop and shadows look deep. Check reviews to see if the game uses the PS5’s power well.
Controller Integration (DualSense)
The DualSense controller is a game-changer for racing. The best games use **haptic feedback** to let you feel the road texture—like gravel or smooth tarmac. **Adaptive triggers** let you feel the difference between lightly tapping the brakes and slamming them down. This feature really pulls you into the race.
Game Modes and Content
Do you like quick races or long careers? Good car games offer several ways to play. Look for:
- Career Mode: A long journey through different racing leagues.
- Online Multiplayer: Racing against real people worldwide.
- Time Trials: Competing against ghosts or your own best times.
- Car Collection: A large garage with licensed, detailed cars is a huge plus.
Important Materials (Game Content Matters)
When buying a car game, the “materials” aren’t physical things; they are the digital content that makes up the experience. Focus on these areas:
Authenticity of Cars and Tracks
Do the cars look and sound real? Top-tier games spend a lot of time modeling famous vehicles perfectly. Real-world tracks, like Silverstone or Monaco, add a layer of realism. If you love a specific car brand, check if the game features it.
Physics Engine
This is the “brain” of the game. It controls how the car handles.
- Simulation (Sim) Games: These try to feel exactly like real driving. They are hard but rewarding.
- Arcade Games: These are easier to pick up and focus more on fun, fast action, often ignoring perfect physics.
Choose the style that matches how you like to play.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What Makes a Game Great?
High-quality games feature excellent sound design—the roar of the engine should sound distinct for every car. Frequent free updates that add new cars or tracks also keep the game fresh. A simple, easy-to-navigate menu system improves daily use.
What Lowers the Quality?
Watch out for games with noticeable “pop-in,” where objects suddenly appear as you drive towards them. Poor online stability causes lag, which ruins multiplayer races. If the game forces you to buy new cars with real money (Pay-to-Win), it often reduces the fun of earning them yourself.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about *how* you will play. This helps you choose the right type of racer.
The Casual Player
If you only play for 30 minutes after work, you need an arcade racer. These games let you jump straight into the action. A simple control scheme works best here.
The Competitive Racer
If you want to climb online leaderboards, you need a simulation game. You will spend time tweaking car setups. These games require more patience but offer deeper satisfaction when you win.
The Solo Enthusiast
If you mostly play alone, focus on a game with a deep career mode and plenty of single-player challenges. Customization options, like paint jobs and tuning, become very important for long solo sessions.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About PS5 Car Games
Q: Do all PS5 car games use the DualSense controller features?
A: No. Many older or lower-budget titles might not fully utilize the adaptive triggers or advanced haptics. Check reviews to confirm DualSense implementation.
Q: Is a racing wheel necessary for PS5 car games?
A: A wheel is highly recommended for simulation games to get the best feel. However, all major titles play perfectly well using the standard DualSense controller.
Q: What is the difference between a Sim and an Arcade racer?
A: Simulation games focus on realistic physics; they are hard to master. Arcade racers focus on speed and accessible fun; they are easier to pick up and play.
Q: Are PS4 racing games playable on the PS5?
A: Yes, many PS4 racing games run better on the PS5 through backward compatibility, often getting performance boosts like higher frame rates.
Q: How important is the frame rate (FPS)?
A: It is very important for racing. 60 FPS makes the game feel smooth and responsive, which helps you react faster to corners and opponents.
Q: Should I buy a game based only on the car count?
A: Not entirely. A game with 100 unique, well-modeled cars is often better than a game with 500 poorly detailed cars.
Q: What does “cross-play” mean in racing games?
A: Cross-play means you can race online against friends who own the game on Xbox or PC, not just on PS5.
Q: How often do developers update these games with new content?
A: Major titles usually receive monthly or quarterly updates that add new cars, tracks, or seasonal events, especially in the first year after launch.
Q: Are microtransactions common in modern PS5 racing games?
A: They are present in some titles, usually for cosmetic items or speeding up car unlocks. Be wary of games where progress stalls unless you pay money.
Q: Which feature helps me learn the tracks best?
A: The ‘Ghost Car’ feature in Time Trials is very helpful. It lets you race directly against a visual representation of a perfect lap.