Do you ever feel the need for speed, but your garage is empty? The PlayStation 4 boasts an incredible library of racing games, from realistic simulators to wild arcade adventures. But with so many choices—drifting, off-roading, or futuristic racing—how do you pick the perfect title? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by reviews and trailers, spending more time researching than actually driving.
Finding the best car game for your PS4 can feel like navigating a tricky racetrack. You want thrilling action, great graphics, and hours of fun, but separating the gems from the duds takes real effort. We understand that frustration! That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide.
Inside, you will discover our top picks across every racing genre. We break down what makes each game special, so you can quickly find the perfect match for your driving style. Get ready to clear your schedule, because after reading this, you’ll know exactly which game to fire up tonight for the ultimate virtual road trip!
Top Car Games For Ps4 Recommendations
- 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)
- 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
- Some features may require an internet connection and an online subscription.
- Awesome cars - old, banged-up, patched-together cars that simply ooze style! From old American heavy-hitters to agile Europeans and fun Asians, you won't find anything like this in other games
- Meaningful customization - change not only the look of your cars but also upgrade their body armor!
- Multiplayer - wreck your friends online and take racing to the limit while chasing for Demolition dominance!
- Challenge modes - have hilarious fun with crop harvesters, lawns mowers, school buses, three-wheelers and more!
- 1 player game; Network Players 2-16 - Full game requires PlayStation Plus membership to access online multiplayer
- Online Connection Required
- Push boundaries and take on new experiences in iconic locations.
- Be the champion you want to be. Join four different motorsports families from around the country: street and pro racers, off-road experts, and freestylers.
- The newest iteration in the revolutionary franchise, The Crew 2 captures the thrill of the American motorsports spirit in one of the most exhilarating open worlds ever created
- There are no menus or loading screens, Seamlessly shift from your favorite cars to boats or even planes with just a push of a button using the Fast Fav feature, and experience the full potential and thrill of Motornation
- Train and advance your abilities of 2 wheel driving, barrel rolls and more in 6 thrilling game modes
- Catch air and perform as many stunts and tricks to get the highest score
- Collect and use a variety of power ups to eliminate as many crash karts as possible to get the highest score
- Hop into the tracks against Lightning McQueen and the gang to rev up for the ultimate challenge
- Put your training to the test and race against your family and friends to become the ultimate champion
- Internet Connection Required: You will need a persistent internet connection. Need for Speed is committed to being a live service so they can deliver an ongoing experience that is constantly changing and evolving. Need for Speed will include free content updates and challenges as an ever present ways for you to earn rewards and continually explore the game
- Five Ways to Play: Need for Speed returns with Five Ways to Play Speed, Style, Build, Crew and Outlaw, enabling you to earn reputation and ultimately win your way. Combine all five to create that perfect Need for Speed moment; driving insanely fast, sliding through a corner in your customized ride alongside your friends, whilst being chased by the cops
- Rich Authentic Customization: Build a car that reflects your character through extensive visual and performance customization. With hand picked iconic cars, the hottest authentic after market brands, performance tuning, and personalized handling. Set up your ride and hit the streets
- Narrative: Five distinctive overlapping stories each inspired by a real world icon. Every choice, every second, every minute propels your playing experience on your journey to become the ultimate icon
- West Coast Urban Setting:From dusk till dawn, discover an open world of urban car culture you never knew existed. Our stunning new world that combines the power of the new consoles and a supercharged game engine in Frostbite to deliver a rich open world environment with roughly twice the drivable roads of Need for Speed Rivals
- Race in 2 player split-screen and 16-player online mode with squad-based gameplay
- Experience the brand new Trails mode for high intensity outdoor racing, - each turn can present new surprises, challenging your drivestyle in new ways
- Compete in the new career mode where your choices lead to different paths, sponsorship opportunities and special invitational events
- Feel the refined physics system for higher precision racing even in the toughest situations like riding berms and ruts
- English (Subtitle)
- Endless gameplay, photorealistic graphics, 48 cars to get your hands dirty with (including licensed models from Jeep and Mazda) with 10+ tools to help you work on those cars
- Multilevel car parking to store vehicles and Advanced Upgrade System to level up and spend points on upgrades
- Path Test for car suspension, Test Track to check car condition (or just fool around on!) and Race Track to test car performance
- Car auctions, paint shop with different paint types and liveries, Barn Finds and a Junkyard for scavenging parts and rusty cars
- English (Subtitle)
The Ultimate Buying Guide for PS4 Car Games
Picking the right car game for your PlayStation 4 can be exciting! The world of digital driving offers everything from fast-paced racing to careful simulation. This guide will help you choose the best game for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you look at different PS4 car games, certain features really stand out. These details determine how fun and realistic the game will be.
1. Gameplay Style
- Arcade Racers: These games are fast and easy to learn. Think big jumps and flashy boosts. They focus more on fun than perfect driving physics.
- Simulation (Sim) Racers: These games try to feel exactly like real driving. They require precision. They are great for people who want a challenge.
- Open-World/Exploration: Some games let you drive anywhere you want in a big map. These offer freedom and lots of side missions.
2. Graphics and Performance
Good graphics make the cars and tracks look real. Check reviews to see if the game runs smoothly (high frame rate). Choppy gameplay ruins the experience.
3. Customization Options
Do you like making your car unique? Look for games that let you change the paint, tires, or engine parts. Customization adds hours of extra enjoyment.
Important Materials (Game Content)
While PS4 games don’t use physical materials like toys, the “content materials” are very important.
Vehicle Variety
A good game offers a large garage. You want a mix of vehicles—muscle cars, supercars, off-road trucks, and maybe even rally cars. More variety means more ways to play.
Track Diversity
Boring tracks get old fast. Look for games featuring city streets, snowy mountains, desert highways, and professional race circuits. Diverse tracks test different driving skills.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one racing game better than another? It usually comes down to physics and online play.
Improving Quality: Realistic Physics
The “feel” of the car is crucial. Good physics mean the car behaves correctly when you brake hard or take a sharp turn. Better physics usually means a higher quality simulation experience.
Reducing Quality: Poor Controls or Lag
If the controller input feels delayed (lag), the game becomes frustrating. Also, games with very basic or unrealistic handling often receive lower quality ratings.
Online Multiplayer
A strong online community keeps a game alive. Check if the game supports easy matchmaking and stable servers for racing against friends or strangers.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use the game.
Casual Fun (Quick Sessions)
If you just want to jump in for a quick 20-minute race after school, choose an Arcade Racer. These games forgive mistakes easily.
Serious Hobbyists (Long Sessions)
If you own a racing wheel peripheral or plan to spend hours mastering tracks, Simulation games are the way to go. These offer deeper career modes and competitive online leagues.
Playing with Friends
Check for local split-screen options if you plan to play with someone sitting next to you on the couch. Not all modern racers support this feature anymore.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About PS4 Car Games
Q: Do I need a special controller (like a steering wheel) to play PS4 car games?
A: No, you do not need one. All PS4 car games work perfectly with the standard DualShock 4 controller. Wheels improve the experience for simulation fans, but they are optional.
Q: Which PS4 car games are best for split-screen multiplayer?
A: Games like the Gran Turismo series or older Need for Speed titles often feature good local split-screen modes. Always check the specific game’s features before buying.
Q: Are PS4 car games still getting updates in 2024?
A: Some newer or very popular titles still receive small updates or new downloadable content (DLC). Older, established games might have stopped receiving major updates.
Q: What is the difference between Arcade and Simulation games?
A: Arcade games focus on speed, crashes, and easy handling. Simulation games focus on realistic physics, tire wear, and precise braking points, just like real racing.
Q: Can I play these games online against people who own a PS5?
A: This depends on the specific game. Many PS4 racing titles support cross-gen play, meaning PS4 players can race against PS5 players, but you must confirm this feature for each title.
Q: What is the best game for off-road or truck racing on PS4?
A: Games that focus on mudding, heavy vehicles, and rugged terrain, like the SnowRunner series, are excellent choices for off-road enthusiasts.
Q: How much storage space do these games usually take up?
A: Most modern racing games require a significant amount of space, often between 40GB and 100GB. Make sure you have enough room on your PS4 hard drive.
Q: Do I need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play car games online?
A: Yes, you need PlayStation Plus to access the main online multiplayer modes in almost all competitive racing games.
Q: Are there any free-to-play car games on the PS4 store?
A: Yes, some games offer a free base version that you can download and play. These are often supported by in-game purchases for extra cars or cosmetics.
Q: Which game has the most licensed, real-world cars?
A: Simulation-heavy titles, such as the Gran Turismo Sport or Gran Turismo 7 (if you play the PS4 version), usually boast the largest collections of officially licensed vehicles.