Do you ever feel the need for speed, but your real-life car just won’t cut it? The roar of an engine, the thrill of a tight corner—that’s what great racing games deliver. The PlayStation 4 is packed with amazing car games, from realistic simulators to wild arcade racers. But with so many choices, finding the perfect one can feel like navigating a confusing racetrack. Do you want authentic handling or just pure, explosive fun? It’s easy to waste time and money on a game that doesn’t match your driving style.
This post cuts through the noise. We are breaking down the best PS4 car games available right now. You will learn exactly which titles offer the most realistic physics, the deepest customization, and the most exciting multiplayer battles. Stop guessing and start driving! Get ready to find the ultimate racing experience waiting for your console.
Top Ps4 Car Games 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)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- Assetto Corsa Base Game
- Prestige Pack
- 3x Porsche Packs
- Red Pack
- ReadyToRace Pack
- The award-winning real driving Simulator series speeds onto PlayStation 4 for the first time, putting you on course for high OCTANE thrills to truly get your pulse racing.
- The award-winning real driving Simulator series speeds onto PlayStation 4 for the first time, putting you on course for high OCTANE thrills to truly get your pulse racing
- The real racing simulator - race from over 140 high-performance on 19 real-world and historic GT locations across 27 layouts, built from the ground up only for PS4
- 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
Ready to hit the virtual asphalt? Buying the right PlayStation 4 (PS4) car game can be tricky. You want speed, excitement, and a great experience. This guide helps you pick the perfect racing game for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at what the game offers. These main features make a big difference in how fun the game is.
- Variety of Cars: Does the game have many different cars? You should find classic muscle cars, speedy supercars, or tough off-road trucks. More cars mean more ways to play.
- Track Selection: Good games offer diverse tracks. Look for city streets, winding mountain roads, and professional racetracks.
- Game Modes: Check the different ways you can play. Career mode lets you build a racing history. Quick race is good for short bursts of fun. Online multiplayer lets you race friends.
- Customization: Can you change how your car looks and handles? Upgrading engines or changing paint jobs adds a personal touch.
Important “Materials” (Game Elements)
Since these are digital products, “materials” refer to the core components of the game design.
Graphics and Sound
High-quality graphics make the game look real. You want smooth visuals, especially when you drive fast. Great engine sounds add excitement. If the car sounds weak, the thrill lessens.
Physics Engine
This controls how the cars drive. A realistic physics engine makes the car react like a real vehicle. Arcade racers have simpler physics for easy fun. Simulation racers have complex physics for a true challenge. Decide which style you prefer.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of a PS4 car game depends on a few key areas.
Improving Quality:
- Developer Reputation: Games made by studios known for racing titles often offer better performance.
- Updates and Support: Publishers who regularly release patches improve stability and add new content.
- Controller Responsiveness: The game must react instantly when you press the buttons. Poor responsiveness ruins the experience.
Reducing Quality:
- Frequent Glitches: If cars suddenly stop or tracks disappear, the quality drops fast.
- Repetitive Content: If every race feels the same, you will get bored quickly.
- Poor Online Stability: Laggy online races are frustrating and unplayable.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about *how* you plan to play the game.
Casual Fun:
If you just want to jump in and drive without learning complex controls, choose an arcade racer like Need for Speed. These games are easy to pick up and play immediately.
Serious Competition:
If you want a deep challenge, look for simulation racers like the Gran Turismo series. These games require patience and learning real driving lines. They are perfect for players who own a racing wheel peripheral.
Playing with Friends:
For social gaming, ensure the game has a strong local split-screen mode or a robust online lobby system. Racing against friends is often the most fun part of any car game.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About PS4 Car Games
Q: Do I need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play these games?
A: You need PS Plus only if you want to play the game’s online multiplayer modes against other players over the internet.
Q: Are all PS4 car games realistic?
A: No. Some games focus on realistic driving (simulations), while others focus on fun, over-the-top action (arcade racers).
Q: Can I use a steering wheel controller with my PS4 car game?
A: Most major racing titles fully support dedicated PS4 racing wheels, which greatly improves the simulation experience.
Q: Which games are best for beginners?
A: Look for games clearly labeled as “Arcade” or those with “Easy” difficulty settings. They usually forgive minor driving mistakes.
Q: How much storage space do these games need?
A: Storage varies widely. Smaller arcade games might take 20GB, but large simulation titles can easily require over 100GB of hard drive space.
Q: Do PS4 car games have a career mode?
A: Almost all major releases include a career or story mode where you progress through different racing leagues and unlock new content.
Q: Is there a difference between PS4 and PS5 versions?
A: Yes. If you play a PS4 game on a PS5, it usually runs better, but a native PS5 version will have better graphics and faster loading times.
Q: Are there off-road racing games available for PS4?
A: Yes. Many titles focus on rally racing or tough truck challenges, letting you drive through mud, snow, and deserts.
Q: How important are the graphics in a racing game?
A: Graphics are very important for immersion. Better graphics make the speed feel more intense and the environments more believable.
Q: Can I play these games offline without the internet?
A: Yes, single-player modes like Career or Time Trials are usually playable without an active internet connection.