Does the roar of a finely tuned engine and the thrill of a high-speed chase get your heart racing? The PlayStation 5 is a powerhouse console, perfect for experiencing the absolute best in racing and driving simulation. But when you browse the PlayStation Store, the sheer volume of car games can feel overwhelming. Which ones truly deliver that next-gen adrenaline rush, and which ones are just collecting digital dust?
Choosing the perfect game can be tough. You want realistic graphics, smooth frame rates, and gameplay that matches your style—whether you prefer arcade fun or hardcore track simulation. Settling for a mediocre racer means missing out on the stunning visuals the PS5 offers. We understand that frustration!
This guide cuts through the noise. We have analyzed the top contenders to bring you a curated list of the best car games currently available for the PS5. You will learn exactly what makes each game stand out, ensuring your next purchase is a guaranteed winner. Get ready to clear your schedule, because your new favorite driving obsession starts right here.
Top Car Games For Ps5 Recommendations
- 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)
- 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
- Enjoy a trucking experience focused on your career as a truck driver
- Become immersed as you follow Nathan’s story about becoming a successful truck driver
- Work on your relationships as you get closer to your family and the local community with each job
- Customize your truck to your heart’s content with tons of new parts and paint jobs to choose from
- Navigate the open road as you encounter different landscapes and interesting locations
- 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.
- Drive legendary vehicles in a huge game area with rich & diverse environments
- Remastered graphics for an intense experience
- Save the family racing team from bankruptcy in Career Mode
- Alone or with friends: the game offers many multi-player possibilities, with up to 4 players in local split-screen mode
- Find all Gear Club Unlimited 2 DLCs for the most complete racing experience and hours of fast-paced driving
- 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 gamesMeaningful 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
- English (Subtitle)
The Ultimate Buying Guide for PS5 Car Games
Ready to hit the digital asphalt? Choosing the right car game for your PlayStation 5 can be tricky. With so many options, you need to know what makes a great racing experience. This guide helps you pick the perfect title for your next high-speed adventure.
Key Features to Look For
When browsing the PlayStation Store or checking game boxes, look closely at these core elements:
- Realistic Graphics (Ray Tracing): PS5 games look amazing. Good car games use ray tracing to make reflections on the car bodies and shadows look real. You want stunning visuals that pop off your screen.
- Haptic Feedback & Adaptive Triggers: This is where the PS5 shines! The controller vibrates to simulate tire grip, road bumps, and engine strain. Adaptive triggers make the gas pedal feel different from the brake pedal. These features boost immersion significantly.
- Game Modes: Does the game offer just racing, or more? Look for career modes, online multiplayer, time trials, and fun arcade modes. Variety keeps the game fresh.
- Car Roster and Customization: A large list of licensed cars (Ferraris, Fords, etc.) is great. Even better is the ability to tune the engine, change paint jobs, and add spoilers.
Important Materials (What Makes the Game Work Well)
While you aren’t buying physical parts, “materials” in game development refer to the core programming and assets. These factors greatly affect quality:
- Physics Engine: This is the brain of the game. A good physics engine makes cars handle realistically. Arcade racers prioritize fun over realism, while simulation racers focus on perfect tire grip and weight transfer.
- Sound Design: Listen to the engine noises! Authentic engine sounds make the experience much better. Poorly made sounds can ruin an otherwise great-looking game.
- Track Design: The circuits matter. Are the tracks based on real-world locations (like Monza or Spa), or are they fictional? Great tracks feature challenging corners and long straights.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What separates a masterpiece from a mediocre racer?
Quality Boosters:
- High Frame Rate (60 FPS): Smooth motion is crucial for racing. Games running consistently at 60 frames per second (FPS) feel responsive and easier to control.
- Developer Support: Games that receive regular updates often add new cars, tracks, and fixes. This shows the developer cares about the long-term experience.
Quality Reducers:
- Excessive Load Times: Long waits between races break the flow. The PS5’s fast SSD should minimize this, but poorly optimized games still suffer.
- Repetitive Content: If every race feels exactly the same, you will get bored quickly.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to play. This helps narrow your choice.
For the Casual Player (Arcade Fun):
If you want to jump in quickly, smash some opponents, and not worry too much about tire pressure, look for games labeled “Arcade.” These often feature power-ups, crazy jumps, and simple controls. They are perfect for short bursts of fun or playing with friends on the couch.
For the Serious Enthusiast (Simulation):
If you own a steering wheel peripheral and enjoy learning car setups, simulation racers are for you. These games demand precision. They offer deep career modes where your driving skill is truly tested. These are best for long, focused gaming sessions.
Online Play:
If multiplayer racing is your main goal, check the game’s online community size. A large player base means you find matches quickly and face challenging opponents regularly.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About PS5 Car Games
Q: Do I need a special steering wheel accessory to play PS5 car games well?
A: No, you do not need one. All games work perfectly fine with the standard DualSense controller. However, a racing wheel will give you much more precise control in simulation games.
Q: Are all PS5 car games backward compatible with PS4?
A: Not always. Some games are true PS5 exclusives. Others are cross-gen titles, meaning they have a PS4 version and a free or paid upgrade path to the PS5 version.
Q: What is the difference between “Arcade” and “Simulation” racing?
A: Arcade racers focus on speed, fun, and simple controls, like Need for Speed. Simulation racers focus on realism, handling physics, and detailed tuning, like Gran Turismo.
Q: How much storage space do modern PS5 car games take up?
A: They often take up a lot of space, usually between 50GB and 150GB, because the graphics and car models are so detailed.
Q: Which PS5 car games best use the DualSense controller’s vibration?
A: Look for games advertised as utilizing “full DualSense features.” Titles that emphasize road feel and trigger resistance usually offer the best haptic feedback.
Q: Can I play these games offline without an internet connection?
A: Most games allow you to play career modes and time trials offline. However, you usually need the internet to download initial patches or play online multiplayer.
Q: Are racing games free-to-play on PS5?
A: Yes, some car games offer a free-to-play version, often focusing only on online racing. You might pay extra later to unlock more cars.
Q: Do I need a PlayStation Plus subscription to race online?
A: Yes, for almost all paid racing titles, you need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to join online multiplayer lobbies.
Q: Which games offer the best customization options?
A: Games that focus on street racing or tuning culture often have the deepest visual customization, allowing you to change body kits and engine parts.
Q: How important is the frame rate (FPS) for racing?
A: It is very important. A stable 60 FPS makes the game feel smooth and responsive, helping you react faster to corners and opponent movements.