A racing game is scored first on how driving feels, then on whether there are enough cars, tracks, and modes to keep racing. We scored seven of the best, all real and available in 2026. Our pick is Forza Horizon 5, with an SR Score of 92, for the best open-world arcade-sim balance. Gran Turismo 7 (91) is the runner-up for simulation fans. For the most authentic handling, Assetto Corsa is the pick.
The ranking
| Rank | Game | Best for | Typical price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forza Horizon 5 | Open-world arcade | $59.99 | 92 |
| 2 | Gran Turismo 7 | Console sim | $69.99 | 91 |
| 3 | Assetto Corsa Competizione | Authentic handling | ~$39.99 | 90 |
| 4 | Forza Motorsport | Track racing | $69.99 | 85 |
| 5 | The Crew Motorfest | Festival open-world | $69.99 | 84 |
| 6 | F1 24 | Formula 1 | ~$69.99 | 86 |
| 7 | EA Sports WRC | Rally | $49.99 | 85 |
Methodology
The Racing Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Driving feel & physics (30) — how the cars handle.
- Content & car roster (25) — cars, tracks, and variety.
- Progression & modes (20) — career, online, and structure.
- Value for money (15) — cost vs. hours.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — critical and player consensus.
Driving feel leads because it is what you do every second. Re-weight toward pure simulation and Assetto Corsa rises.
Forza Horizon 5
Playground Games’ open-world racer, $59.99, set in Mexico with hundreds of cars, seasonal events, and an approachable arcade-sim model. Frequently on Game Pass.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Driving feel & physics | 27/30 |
| Content & car roster | 24/25 |
| Progression & modes | 18/20 |
| Value for money | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: it is arcade-leaning, so sim purists want more realism.
Gran Turismo 7
Polyphony Digital’s sim, $69.99, the polished console simulation with deep car culture, careful tuning, and stunning presentation.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Driving feel & physics | 28/30 |
| Content & car roster | 23/25 |
| Progression & modes | 17/20 |
| Value for money | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: its economy and online requirement have drawn criticism.
Assetto Corsa Competizione
Kunos Simulazioni’s sim, ~$39.99, with the most authentic handling model here, focused on GT racing. The pick for serious sim drivers.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Driving feel & physics | 29/30 |
| Content & car roster | 21/25 |
| Progression & modes | 16/20 |
| Value for money | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: a steep learning curve and best with a wheel.
Forza Motorsport
Turn 10’s track sim, $69.99, with a focus on careful, circuit-based racing and a deep car-progression system. On Game Pass.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Driving feel & physics | 26/30 |
| Content & car roster | 22/25 |
| Progression & modes | 16/20 |
| Value for money | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: a rocky launch and thinner content than expected.
The Crew Motorfest
Ubisoft’s festival racer, $69.99, set on O’ahu with a Horizon-style open world and varied playlists. The closest Forza Horizon alternative.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Driving feel & physics | 24/30 |
| Content & car roster | 22/25 |
| Progression & modes | 17/20 |
| Value for money | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: always-online and a less refined driving model than Forza.
F1 24
Codemasters’ Formula 1 sim, ~$69.99, with an authentic grid, career, and online racing. The pick for open-wheel fans.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Driving feel & physics | 26/30 |
| Content & car roster | 21/25 |
| Progression & modes | 18/20 |
| Value for money | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: yearly releases with incremental changes.
EA Sports WRC
Codemasters’ rally sim, $49.99, with demanding stage racing and a deep career. The rally specialist here.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Driving feel & physics | 26/30 |
| Content & car roster | 21/25 |
| Progression & modes | 17/20 |
| Value for money | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: performance issues on some PCs and a niche format.
How to choose
Decide arcade or sim, and open-world or track. For open-world fun, Forza Horizon 5 is the champion, with The Crew Motorfest as the alternative. For simulation, Gran Turismo 7 is the console pick and Assetto Corsa Competizione the hardcore one. F1 24 and EA Sports WRC serve open-wheel and rally fans, while Forza Motorsport covers circuit racing. Re-weight toward pure physics and Assetto Corsa wins; weight feel plus content, as we do, and Forza Horizon 5 takes it.
Verification
- Forza Horizon 5 — pricing verified on forza.net / xbox.com.
- Gran Turismo 7 — pricing verified on gran-turismo.com / playstation.com.
- Assetto Corsa Competizione — pricing verified on assettocorsa.gg / store.steampowered.com.
- Forza Motorsport — pricing verified on forza.net.
- The Crew Motorfest — pricing verified on ubisoft.com.
- F1 24 — pricing verified on ea.com.
- EA Sports WRC — pricing verified on ea.com.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best racing game in 2026?
- Forza Horizon 5. Its open-world festival formula offers hundreds of cars, seasonal events, and an accessible arcade-sim model, making it the most fun all-rounder. Forza Horizon 6 is also available for those who want the newest map.
- What is the best racing simulator?
- Gran Turismo 7 and Assetto Corsa. GT7 is the polished console sim; Assetto Corsa's handling model is widely considered the most authentic in racing games.
- What is the best value racing game here?
- Forza Horizon 5 (often on Game Pass) or Assetto Corsa when discounted. Both offer enormous content for the price.
- Do these need a racing wheel?
- Forza Horizon 5 and The Crew Motorfest play great on a controller. Gran Turismo 7 and Assetto Corsa reward a wheel but remain playable on a controller.