What Are the Best Racing Games for PS5 Right Now?

The PlayStation 5 has completely changed what racing games can do. Gone are the days when you just pressed accelerate and hoped for the best. Today’s racing games on PS5 pull you into the cockpit with haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and visuals so sharp you can almost smell the burning rubber.

But here’s the problem. There are dozens of racing games available, and most of them are forgettable. You waste money, waste storage space, and end up back on the same old title you’ve been playing for years.

That changes today.

I’ve tested, compared, and ranked the absolute best racing games for PS5 based on gameplay depth, visual quality, controller immersion, and pure fun factor. Whether you want hardcore simulation or arcade chaos, this list has something that will make your thumbs happy.

Let’s get into it.

Why PS5 Racing Games Feel Different From Everything Else

Sony didn’t just upgrade the graphics. The DualSense controller alone makes racing games feel completely fresh on PS5.

When you brake hard in Gran Turismo 7, the trigger physically resists your finger. When you drive over gravel in WRC, the controller vibrates with a texture that feels suspiciously like actual rocks. This isn’t marketing fluff. It’s genuinely transformative.

The SSD loading times also matter more than you’d think. Restarting a race after a crash used to take 30 seconds of staring at a loading screen. Now it takes two seconds. That means you practice more, improve faster, and rage-quit less.

Here’s what separates the best racing games from the average ones:

• Physics that punish mistakes without feeling unfair
• Car selection depth that lets you find your perfect vehicle
• Track variety that keeps every session feeling fresh
• Controller feedback that makes you feel connected to the road
• Progression systems that reward skill, not just grinding

The titles below nail all five categories.

The 7 Best Racing Games for PS5 in 2026

1. Gran Turismo 7 – The Undisputed King

Gran Turismo 7 remains the most complete racing package on PlayStation 5. It’s part racing simulator, part car museum, and part driving school. The campaign teaches you actual racing techniques through license tests that feel rewarding rather than tedious.

The car roster exceeds 450 vehicles. You can tune everything from tire pressure to gear ratios. And the dynamic weather system means a sunny track can turn into a nightmare halfway through a lap.

If you only buy one racing game this year, make it this one.

Best for: Players who want realistic driving physics and deep customization.

2. EA Sports WRC – Rally Racing Perfection

Most racing games put you on smooth tarmac. WRC throws you onto muddy forest trails, snowy mountain passes, and rocky desert roads where one wrong turn sends you off a cliff.

The official World Rally Championship license means real drivers, real teams, and real stages. The DualSense haptics shine here because you literally feel the surface changing under your tires.

It’s brutally difficult at first. But once you learn to listen to your co-driver and trust the car, nothing else comes close to this adrenaline rush.

Best for: Players who love off-road chaos and technical driving.

3. F1 24 – Formula One Without Compromise

Codemasters has been making F1 games for years, and F1 24 is their most polished effort yet. The career mode lets you start as a rookie driver and work your way through the ranks.

The attention to detail is staggering. Tire temperatures matter. Brake wear matters. Fuel management matters. One small mistake on lap 40 of a 50-lap race can destroy everything.

It’s not casual-friendly. But if you want the closest thing to driving an actual Formula One car without a super license, this is it.

Best for: Hardcore motorsport fans who love strategy.

4. Need for Speed Unbound – Pure Arcade Fun

Sometimes you don’t want realism. You want to drift around corners at 150 mph while the police chase you through a neon-lit city. Need for Speed Unbound delivers exactly that.

The art style blends realistic cars with cartoonish graffiti effects. It shouldn’t work, but it does. The soundtrack slaps. The customization options are endless.

This is the game you play when you want to relax, not stress about racing lines and brake points.

Best for: Casual players who want instant fun without a learning curve.

5. Assetto Corsa Competizione – Sim Racing Excellence

This is the most realistic racing game available on PS5. Period. The physics model is so accurate that real racing teams use it for driver training.

The trade-off is accessibility. You need patience. You need practice. You’ll spin out constantly during your first week. But when everything clicks, the satisfaction is unmatched.

It focuses exclusively on GT3 racing, so don’t expect variety. Expect mastery.

Best for: Serious sim racers who have a steering wheel setup.

6. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged – Family Friendly Chaos

Don’t laugh. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is genuinely one of the most entertaining racing games on PS5.

You race miniature cars through oversized environments like bedrooms, garages, and backyards. The tracks twist, loop, and launch you through the air. It’s pure childhood nostalgia wrapped in surprisingly solid racing mechanics.

The track builder mode lets you create your own crazy courses. My kids love it. I love it. It’s the rare racing game that works for everyone.

Best for: Families and players who want lighthearted fun.

7. MotoGP 24 – Two Wheels of Terror

Racing games don’t have to be about cars. MotoGP 24 puts you on a motorcycle traveling at 200+ mph with nothing between you and the asphalt except leather and prayers.

The learning curve is steep. Bike physics are completely different from car physics. You lean into corners, manage weight transfer, and pray you don’t highside coming out of a turn.

Once you master it, no racing experience feels more exhilarating.

Best for: Players seeking a completely different racing challenge.

Comparison Table: Best Racing Games for PS5

Every game on this list earned its spot through hours of testing. The right choice depends entirely on what kind of experience you want.

What Racing Games Support VR on PS5?

Virtual reality transforms racing games completely. You’re not looking at a screen anymore. You’re sitting inside the car.

Gran Turismo 7 supports PSVR2 fully. Every car, every track, every mode works in VR. At first, the feeling of speed is overwhelming. Your brain genuinely believes you’re moving.

No other PS5 racing game currently matches GT7’s VR implementation. If VR racing is your priority, your choice is already made.

Can Racing Games Improve Your Real Driving Skills?

Surprisingly, yes. Studies have shown that racing simulators improve reaction times, spatial awareness, and hand-eye coordination.

Here’s what racing games actually teach you:

• Looking ahead – Good racing requires scanning far down the track, not staring at your hood
• Smooth inputs – Jerky steering and braking upset the car balance
• Understanding weight transfer – Cars behave differently under braking, acceleration, and cornering
• Anticipating hazards – Reading traffic and predicting other drivers’ moves

A racing game won’t replace driving school. But several professional drivers have credited simulators for sharpening their racecraft.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best racing games on PS5 in 2026?

Gran Turismo 7, EA Sports WRC, F1 24, Need for Speed Unbound, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2, and MotoGP 24 represent the best options across different racing styles. Each excels in its specific category.

What racing games have split screen on PS5?

Gran Turismo 7 supports local two-player split screen. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 also offers split screen multiplayer. Most modern racing games unfortunately prioritize online play over couch co-op.

What is rubberbanding in racing games?

Rubberbanding is a mechanic where AI opponents artificially speed up when behind you or slow down when ahead. It keeps races close but frustrates skilled players. Most serious sim racers disable this feature.

Which sim racing games are available on PS5?

Assetto Corsa Competizione, Gran Turismo 7, and F1 24 offer the most authentic simulation experiences on PS5. Each focuses on different racing disciplines.

Are racing games free on PS5?

PS Plus occasionally offers racing games as monthly free titles. Need for Speed games frequently appear. Free-to-play options remain limited on PlayStation platforms.

Final Verdict

The best racing games for PS5 aren’t just games. They’re experiences that test your reflexes, teach you patience, and reward dedication.

Start with Gran Turismo 7 if you’re new to the genre. It’s approachable enough for beginners but deep enough for veterans. Branch out from there based on what excites you most.

The controller is in your hands. The track is waiting.