Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallForza Horizon 5 is the best starting point if you want an open world built around driving. If you want more than cars, The Crew 2 adds bikes, boats and planes. For vehicles as part of a wider action or exploration game, consider Grand Theft Auto V, Cyberpunk 2077 and Watch Dogs 2. This list also includes horseback travel, sailing and spaceflight—but those are different kinds of vehicle adventure, not substitutes for a car-focused game.
How to choose an open-world game with vehicles
The key difference is how much the vehicle shapes the experience. In a driving game, getting behind the wheel is the main event; in an action RPG or adventure, vehicles are one way to move through a larger world. The picks below are grouped by that distinction rather than presented as an objective ranking. Their platforms, editions, online requirements and availability can vary by region and change over time, so check the relevant official store before buying.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Gran Turismo 7 Standard Edition - PlayStation 5 | $42.65 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition - Nintendo Switch | $36.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Nascar Heat 5 (PS4) | $20.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Wreckfest - PlayStation 4 | $19.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Lexibook, Cyber Arcade Racing Console, JL3150 | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Best open-world games for driving and motorsports
1. Forza Horizon 5
Best for: Driving, racing and exploring in a car-first open world.
Recommended Free Tools
Forza Horizon 5 is the clearest match for players who want to roam and drive. Its official page describes an open-world setting in Mexico, hundreds of cars and racing events. Forza.net also reports that the game has received over 40 content updates; that figure is the publisher’s page claim, not an independently audited count. Forza Horizon 5 on Forza.net
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
2. The Crew 2
Best for: Switching between different kinds of motorsport vehicles.
The Crew 2 broadens the driving-game formula into a motorsports playground across the United States. Ubisoft describes cars, bikes, boats and planes, alongside vehicle customization. Choose it over a car-only racer if variety across land, water and air matters more than keeping the focus on cars. The Crew 2 on Ubisoft
Best open-world action games with cars
3. Grand Theft Auto V
Best for: A crime-action sandbox where driving is part of a broader city experience.
Rank #2
- READY, SET, WARP! Race across 24 tracks and warp to 15 CrossWorlds with Travel Rings, a unique gameplay mechanic that transports the iconic characters from the Sonic and SEGA universes into new dimensions. Use unpredictability to your advantage as you change the landscape of each race!
- RACE WITH THE BEST! Choose from 23 iconic Sonic characters, the largest roster of any Sonic racing game!
- MAKE IT YOURS: Mix and match between 45 unique original vehicles and 70 different gadgets to trick out your ride, level up your kart, and create the ultimate machine to match your racing style.
- GAIN THE ADVANTAGE WITH POWERFUL ITEMS! Dominate your opponents with 23 different items including returning favorites and all-new items like the Monster Truck!
- MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY: Gather with friends and play local split-screen in Grand Prix and the new party mode Race Park, compete against a community of players from around the world with up to 12 players online in World Match, or test your driving skills in Time Trials.
Grand Theft Auto V centers on three criminal protagonists whose stories intertwine. Cars belong to a larger action world rather than a dedicated racing structure, making this a better fit for players who want driving alongside missions and open-world activity. PlayStation’s guide notes enhancements for the PS5 version; the exact edition and platform options depend on the store and region. PlayStation’s open-world games guide
4. Cyberpunk 2077
Best for: Futuristic city travel inside a story-driven action RPG.
Cyberpunk 2077 takes place in Night City, where vehicles support travel and side activities within a larger role-playing experience. It is not a driving-first game: choose it for the city, action and RPG setting, with vehicles as one part of getting around. PlayStation’s guide also covers the Phantom Liberty expansion. PlayStation’s open-world games guide
Rank #3
- Career mode progress through the Feeder series (xtreme dirt, gander trucks and xfinity series) to reach the NASCAR Cup series or jump right in and start at the top
- Improved stats track your progress through the career with more detailed and improved statistics offering far more insight
- Gameplay enhancements improved AI, more player camera options and dnfs
- Brand new testing mode perfect your racing lines and experiment to find the best car setup for each track
- Challenge mode brand new online challenge mode gives you unique race scenarios to complete with a variety of gameplay. Official tracks 34 Officially licensed tracks for you to race on across the various series, including Daytona international Speedway, Indianapolis motor Speedway and talladega Super speed way, plus five fictional dirt tracks.Multiplayer Race online with up to 40 players or enjoy local split screen multiplayer with a friend.eSports support Take part in the EN as car Heat Pro League qualifiers for a chance to race for a real life NASCAR team.Paint booth even more enhancements, including new number fonts and schemes
5. Watch Dogs 2
Best for: Urban exploration with a technology-focused action twist.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Set in the San Francisco Bay Area, Watch Dogs 2 is an open-world action game in which vehicles and connected devices can be hacked. That hacking premise gives the city’s vehicles a role beyond simple transportation, though the game is not a dedicated driving simulator. Watch Dogs 2 on Ubisoft
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Open-world travel beyond cars
6. Red Dead Redemption 2
Best for: Players who count horseback travel as vehicle exploration.
Rank #4
- 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
Red Dead Redemption 2 makes travel on horseback part of its open-world simulation, including caring for your horse. It belongs on this list only if “vehicles” includes mounts; it is not a car-driving recommendation. GameSpot’s open-world games guide
7. No Man’s Sky
Best for: Exploration that moves from planetary surfaces into space.
No Man’s Sky offers a different transport fantasy from road vehicles: travel can take you from a planet’s surface through its atmosphere and into space. Pick it for planetary and space exploration rather than conventional driving. GameSpot’s open-world games guide
Best Value
- INTUITIVE TILT CONTROL - Pilot your console with motion sensor control! Tilt your console to turn the steering wheel and virtually drive the vehicles in the games for even more thrills.
- 30 CLASSIC GAMES INCLUDED - Choose from a selection of 30 extraordinary games, ranging from thrilling races to thought-provoking action challenges.
- PRACTICAL ERGONOMICS - With its integrated handles, easily accessible buttons and 2.8’’ color screen, your games come to life in your hands!
- CUSTOMIZABLE SETTINGS - Adjust the sound volume and screen brightness to suit your environment.
- BATTERY POWERED - Take your console with you wherever you go, with no need for cables. Simply insert 2 AA batteries and you're ready for hours of gaming!
8. Sea of Thieves
Best for: Sailing and exploring with a crew.
Sea of Thieves is a pirate adventure built around sailing between islands and working with a crew aboard a ship. It suits players who want the journey across the sea to be central to the experience, rather than a car-based open world. GameSpot’s open-world games guide
9. Death Stranding
Best for: Travel and delivery across difficult terrain.
Death Stranding treats the journey between destinations as a major part of its delivery-focused adventure. Vehicles fit into that broader traversal experience, but the available description does not establish a specific roster, so this is best approached as a journey-and-transport game rather than a vehicle-variety pick. GameSpot’s open-world games guide
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Which game should you start with?
- Want cars to be the main event? Start with Forza Horizon 5.
- Want several motorsport vehicle types? Try The Crew 2.
- Want a city action game with cars? Consider Grand Theft Auto V, Cyberpunk 2077 or Watch Dogs 2, depending on whether crime action, futuristic RPG or hacking is the draw.
- Open to non-car travel? Red Dead Redemption 2 offers horseback travel; Sea of Thieves centers on sailing; No Man’s Sky extends exploration into space.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
