If you’re a racing game fanatic, you're spoilt for choice to the point where decision-making can be tricky. Driving games such as Assetto Corsa Competizione and Gran Turismo 7 will appeal to diehard sim-racers, while more casual gamers will enjoy titles such as Grid Legends, Need for Speed and Forza. And because of improvements in hardware and software, all of these games look great in 4K and HDR, provided you’ve got the right TV and graphics card (if you’re using a PC).
The best racing games at a glance:
Editor's pick: Gran Turismo - Buy from Amazon.
Best for arcade fans: Need For Speed Heat - Buy from Amazon.
Best for sim-racers and close competition: Assetto Corsa Competizione - buy from Amazon.
Which racing games should you be sinking the hours into? To make things easier, we’ve put together a list of the best racing games you can buy right now, across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. For clarity sake, we’ve also sampled them on both a controller and a racing wheel.
Editor's pick
One of the most famous racing games ever, now on Sony’s most powerful console. Gran Turismo 7 is simply one of the best-looking racing games you can buy right now and it’s one of the most complete, too.
GT7 has the vast list of cars GT Sport didn't in addition to brilliant presentation, lots to do, and a robust multiplayer experience.
The previous instalments of Gran Turismo were all benchmarks in terms of visual and detail and GT7 lifts the bar once again. On PS5 everything is so sharp and realistic that the only giveaway is the cleanliness.
One of the best bits of news about this game is that because the controller is now so good, you don't feel like you're missing out too much without a racing wheel. That being said, GT7 on PS5 paired with the Thrustmaster T-GT II is quite an experience.
Gran Turismo 7 is also available on:
PS4 - Buy now from Amazon UK
Read our full review here or watch the video review here.
Pros
- Incredible graphics
- Fast load times
- Good feedback through controller
Cons
- More vehicles and tracks are unlocked later in the game
- Licence tests may not be for everyone
Best for arcade fans
Need for Speed is still a great racing game, and this version wears a neon hat on. It’s rather good too. In some ways Heat is a continuation of everything we like about NFS: it follows the familiar formula of letting the player rip it up in a world of tournament heats, illegal street races and police chases.
However, it also looks very different this time around: it’s stunning in 4K and HDR, and its 80s style colour palette sets it apart from everything else on this list. You can play it on the latest Xbox and PlayStation consoles too.
There are over 120 cars to choose from, including a solid blend of unlikely classics, contemporary dream cars and everything in between. And because this is Need for Speed, every car can be modified within an inch of its life. Your only restriction is your imagination – but do try to be tasteful.
As you’d expect, the game leans towards to the arcade side, and only just got wheel support. If you’re after the racing game equivalent of a can of Monster, this is a game for you.
Need for Speed Heat is also available on:
PS5 - Buy now from PlayStation
Xbox One - Buy now from Amazon UK
PC - Buy now from Amazon UK
Read our review here.
Pros
- Open-world racing game means you don't always have to be racing to have fun
- Incredible looking cars with exceptional customisation
- 80s style in 4K quality
Cons
- Arcade style may not appeal to everyone
- Driving physics can be improved
Best for sim-racers and close competition
Assetto Corsa Competizione is the fully licenced game for the GT championship, and that means its packed with all the cars and tracks from both seasons. Compare it GT7 or the original Assetto Corsa and you’ll find the garage small and limiting; think of it like another licensed game such as F1 2021, and you’ll find the limitations more authentic.
Cars seem to dance on the tarmac, giving you reams of information through the wheel. It certainly takes a while to get up to speed – especially if you’re used to more arcade-like handling, but once you do it’s fantastic.
The graphics are good on PC, too. We installed our copy of the game on a relatively powerful gaming PC, cranked everything up to Ultra and the results were pretty impressive. But while the car models were clean and the lighting realistic, AC Competizione didn’t have the same eye-candy as GT7 on PS5, or the latest Forza on Xbox. However, it has undergone a refresh for 2022 and if you like how this game feels, you really won’t care.
Assetto Corsa Competizione is also available on:
PS4 - Buy now from Amazon UK
Xbox One - Buy now from Amazon UK
Xbox Series X - Buy now from Amazon UK
Read CAR's full review here.
Pros
- Fully licenced for the GT championship
- Lovely graphics
- Intense racing and realistic driving experience
Cons
- Strictly GT class racing
- No support for 3rd-party mods
Best for Formula 1 fans
While the F1 games are released year on year, the 2020 iteration was the last by Codemasters – and they did a great job with it. There have been a few newer versions of the F1 game since then but the 2020 game holds a high status in the eyes of critics and fans.
The 2020 game makes the cars easier to tame compared with the twitchy machines in F1 2019. There have been alterations to the physics which have stepped up car behaviour, such as the grip under braking.
F1 2020 does a great job in capturing the essence of Formula 1: the precision, technicality, and speed. There is a 2020 calendar featured and the My Team mode is something that brings an extra dimension of the F1 industry beyond the racetrack.
You can also race friends in a classic split screen mode. Codemasters have remembered the element of excitement that comes from racing the person sitting on the same sofa.
F1 2020 is also available on:
Xbox One - Buy now from Amazon UK
Read our full review here.
Pros
- Licenced for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship
- Split screen multiplayer mode included
- Highly improved driving physics over previous F1 games
Cons
- Car control may take some time to get used to
- Limited opportunities for character customisation
Best for fans of gravel and mud instead of tarmac
It's been around since 2019 but if you prefer handbrake turns to points of downforce, and get more excited by stages than circuits, DiRT Rally 2.0 still reigns supreme and is a must-buy. It’s not perfect, but offers the best total package for rally fans on any platform.
When running in full 4K-stride, it looks great, and it also has a full licence for the World Rallycross series – so it’s not all fictional.
Like the F1 series – also by Codemasters – DiRT rally can be customised to suit your skill level. In the harder modes, DiRT will require patience and time – but mastering is very worthwhile. It’s also easy to play with a pad – when the assists are on, of course.
Dirt Rally 2.0 is also available on:
Xbox One - Buy now from Amazon UK
PC - Buy now from Amazon UK
Read our review of Dirt 2.0 here.
Pros
- Stunning graphics
- Very accurate sound
- Full licence for the WRX
Cons
- Limited list of in-game locations
- Underwhelming career mode
Best for everyone
Remember the TOCA series? The classic touring car franchise was one of the finest racing games of the late 1990s and early noughties, and under the steady hand of developers Codemasters eventually evolved into the series we know today as Grid.
This is not a racing simulator, and it’s not a fluffy arcade game either. Grid aims to walk the line between being accessible for beginners while still being engaging enough even for seasoned sim-racers, and it somehow manages to achieve precisely that.
Despite dwelling in the weird no-man’s land between ‘arcade fun’ and ‘gritty sim realism’, Codemasters’ Grid delivers an exceptional pick-up-and-play racing experience. It’s fun, it’s easy to jump in and get going, and it’s accessible – getting the best out of it doesn’t require heaps of fiddling in menus and pre-race planning, or heaps of practice.
Grid Legends is also available on:
PS4 - Buy now from Amazon UK
Xbox One & Series X - Buy now from Amazon UK
Xbox Series S & PC - Buy now from Amazon UK
Check out CAR's Grid review here.
Pros
- Easy and accessible to get started
- Great for those who might not be into 'hardcore' racing
- Well-designed tracks in familiar locations around the world
Cons
- Too many fictional street circuits
- Frustrating career mode
Best for arcade fans who want to show off their Xbox
This isn’t one for those focused on stopwatches and racing lines: Forza Horizon 5 thrusts you onto the open-roads of Mexico in some of the world's most exotic cars. It’s probably the best arcade, or open-world racer since Need For Speed: Underground or Burnout Paradise.
While rewarding on a wheel, it’s fair to say Horizon 5 is probably more suited to those who use a pad as their weapon of choice.
As for the graphics? The Xbox Series X|S is able to show its full 4K, HDR-capable grunt with Horizon 5. Get a TV that can handle it, and you’ve got one of the best-looking game on Microsoft’s current console.
Forza Horizon 5 is also available on:
Xbox Series S & PC - Buy now from Amazon UK
Pros
- Open-world racing game means you don't always have to be racing to have fun
- Great driving physics and incredible graphics
- Several game modes and over 500 cars to choose from
Cons
- Only available on Xbox or PC
- Need an Xbox Live account to play
Best for showing off next-gen power
The latest instalment of DiRT continues with the stunts, mud and fun of previous games but now takes full advantage of the next-generation of consoles for some seriously stunning graphics. Never a game for sim racers, the arcade-style handling is easy to master and you'll find yourself pretty quickly winning every race with ease. The game isn't the most rewarding to play either, lacking the depth that other racing games offer. At least it looks spectacular.
DiRT 5 is also available on:
PS4 - Buy now from Amazon UK
Xbox One & Series X - Buy now from Amazon UK
PC - Buy now from Amazon UK
Read our full review of DiRT 5 here.
Pros
- Arcade style is fun
- In-depth garage with customisation options
- Impressive graphics
Cons
- Experience may not be as rewarding as other games
- May seem too easy for some
Frequently asked questions about racing games
What is the best racing game for me?
Finding the ideal racing game for you is down to preference. Are you interested in driving a hardcore simulator or something that has a little more of an arcade flavour? Games like Gran Turismo 7 and Assetto Corsa Competizione have specifically been developed to bring the pure feeling of racing to the digital world, whereas games like Grid Legends, Need For Speed and DiRT 5 begin to move into arcade territory. It's fun to experiment with the different types of games and find what you like.
What equipment do I need to play racing games?
Most racing games can be played using a simple controller that you would get with your console, but if you really want to feel the thrill of racing then we would recommend putting together a sim racing setup. You can find the best steering wheel and sim racing seats to create the ideal racing experience, and don't forget the pedals. If you do go down this route then be sure to check if your equipment is compatible with one another, as some racing wheels and wheelbases are only compatible with PC. If you'd prefer not to have a full sim rig then you can look into simpler solutions like a desk clamp for your wheel, or even a wheel stand.
Can I race against other people?
Simply put, yes. Most games will allow you to play offline and against other people around the world. You can even setup your own private lobby where you'll be racing against your friends in no time. The most prominent online racing simulator is iRacing, but it does come with a monthly subscription so be aware of the financial load. Don't be put down however, as most other game do not require a subscription, but might come with optional DLC (downloadable content) like cars and tracks. If you don't want to play online then you can even start a career mode and follow the game's storyline as the developers intended.
Naveed Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He enjoys anything with four wheels, and is always planning his next road trip.