Best PS5 racing game in 2026

Best racing games on PS5

One of the best things about racing games on PS5 is how much variety there is. Some are all about realism, where one late braking point can mess up your whole lap and every little adjustment matters. Others are much easier to pick up and just want you to have fun with speed, chaos, and flashy visuals. Both styles work – it really just depends on what kind of mood you’re in.

That’s probably why the best racing game PS5 question never really has one clear answer. For some players, the ideal pick is a serious sim that rewards patience and precision. For others, it’s something faster, louder, and less demanding – the kind of game you can jump into for 20 minutes and still have a great time.

And honestly, that mix is what makes the PS5 racing lineup so strong. You’re not stuck with one type of experience. You can spend one evening chasing clean laps on a real-world circuit, then switch to something more relaxed or chaotic the next day.

So yeah, instead of trying to crown one winner, it makes more sense to look at a few different options. Chances are, one of them will click with how you like to play.

Gran Turismo 7: realism and driving experience

If realism is your thing, Gran Turismo 7 is usually where people start. And for good reason.

The game has over 400 cars and more than 30 locations with 90+ track layouts, which sounds like a lot (because it is), but what really stands out is how differently everything drives. It’s not just cosmetic. Weight, tires, drivetrain, weather – all of it actually changes how the car behaves. Sometimes in ways you don’t expect at first.

On PS5, it feels even more convincing because of the controller. The adaptive triggers and haptics aren’t just there for show. You can feel when the car starts losing grip, or when braking gets a bit sketchy. It makes you react more instinctively, which is kind of cool. The game also runs at a stable 60 FPS, with very fast loading between races.

Also, the car list… it’s a bit of a rabbit hole. You start out thinking you’ll just pick a few favorites, and suddenly you’re collecting and tuning cars you didn’t even care about before. Happens more than you’d think.

The progression is handled through Café mode, which slowly unlocks things instead of dumping everything on you at once. It’s actually a good call. Especially if you’re not used to sim-style racing, it gives you time to figure things out without feeling overwhelmed.

Price-wise, Gran Turismo 7 PS5 usually sits somewhere between $40–$70, depending on sales and edition.

It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t really try to be. But if you actually enjoy driving, not just racing, it’s still one of the best racing games on PS5.

F1 24: Formula racing at its peak

If you want something faster, sharper, and way more demanding than a casual arcade racer, the F1 24 game is an easy pick on PS5. Formula 1 cars can go over 350 km/h (220 mph), and the game does a solid job making that speed feel real.

You get all the official teams, drivers, and tracks from the 2024 season, which adds a lot if you’re into F1. Even if you’re not a hardcore fan, it still helps the game feel more grounded and less like a generic racer. There are over 20 real-world circuits included.

Career mode is where things open up more. You’re not just jumping into random races – you’re building a driver, progressing through seasons, dealing with expectations. It gives the whole thing a bit more personality, even if you’re mostly here for the racing.

On track, the cars feel… twitchy. In a way that makes sense. You can’t just throw them into corners and hope it works. High-speed sections demand full focus, and small mistakes tend to snowball quickly. Tire wear, weather, strategy – it all matters, whether you want it to or not.

That’s also what makes races tense. When you’re close to other cars, especially online, there’s almost no room for sloppy driving. One bad move and that’s it. Online modes and ranked races add a more competitive layer if you want it.

Since it’s a newer release, F1 24 usually stays around $50–$70, though you’ll occasionally see it drop during sales.

It’s not relaxing. At all. But if you want something competitive and intense, it does that really well.

WRC 10: rally racing

WRC 10 feels… different. Not bad, just different. And sometimes a bit uncomfortable, especially at the start.

There’s no pack racing here. Most of the time it’s just you, a narrow road, and a timer. That’s it. And those roads can be brutal. The game includes over 120 stages across different countries, with surfaces constantly changing – gravel, snow, mud, asphalt. You never really settle in.

One thing that takes getting used to is the co-driver. You have to listen to the pace notes. Ignore them or react too late, and you’re probably going off the road. It’s a weird adjustment if you’re coming from circuit racing, but after a while it clicks.

Some stages are based on real locations, and you can tell. Tight forests, mountain roads, low visibility – it all feels unpredictable in a way track racing usually isn’t. Sometimes that’s frustrating. Sometimes it’s exactly why you keep playing.

There’s also a historical mode with classic cars and events, which adds some variety. It breaks things up nicely when the standard progression starts feeling repetitive.

Because it’s been out for a while, WRC 10 is usually cheaper (around $20–$40), sometimes even less on sale.

It’s not the easiest game to get into, and it doesn’t really try to smooth things out for you. But if you want something more technical and a bit less predictable, it’s probably the most interesting option out of the three.

Which PS5 racing game should you choose?

This is where it gets tricky, because these games are doing very different things.

Gran Turismo 7 is the one that makes the most sense if you actually enjoy the act of driving. It’s more patient, more detailed, and honestly more satisfying once everything starts to click. If you like the idea of learning cars and improving lap by lap, it’s hard to go wrong here.

F1 24 feels more intense. Faster, more focused, and a bit less forgiving. It’s the kind of game where you’re always on edge, especially during longer races. If that sounds fun instead of exhausting, you’ll probably like it.

WRC 10 is… its own thing. Rally racing doesn’t really compare to standard track racing, and it can feel awkward at first. But that unpredictability is also what makes it stand out. You’re constantly reacting instead of repeating the same clean laps.

So yeah, there isn’t really a single “best PS5 racing game” answer. It depends on what kind of experience you want… and maybe how patient you’re feeling that day.