Skip advert
Advertisement

Driving games tested

We put 12 great driving games to the test. Which deserves to be at the top of your Christmas list?

Driving games let you have fun without leaving your living room. High-definition consoles like the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 can now process detailed graphics and offer engaging gameplay. But should you go for an arcade title, simulator or kids’ game?

We’ve assessed 12 of the top racing titles on the market to help you decide which is best for you.

How we tested them

We rated our games on fun and gameplay, as well as graphics, car handling and audio. Split-screen multiplayer modes are good, as they let you play friends on the same TV, while we also noted which offered online play. Where possible, we tested our games on the same PS3, but those sold on more than one platform got extra points.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Finally, we rated value. Our prices are from retailer game.co.uk on the day of our test.

Verdict

The spread of games on offer is impressive, but ideally we’d have a karting title for occasional fun, plus a realistic simulator. GT5 takes the win, as it’s arcade one minute and simulator the next. For sheer realism, F1 2012 takes second place, while F1 Race Stars is our pick of the karting titles.

1. Gran Turismo 5: Academy Edition2. F1 20123. F1 Race Stars

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,175Avg. savings £2,431 off RRP*Used from £7,595
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,085Avg. savings £3,188 off RRP*Used from £13,990
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,870Avg. savings £5,350 off RRP*Used from £8,777
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £24,040Avg. savings £1,535 off RRP*Used from £18,790
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Land Rover Defender updates suggest 'if it ain't broke...' approach
2027 Land Rover (camouflaged) - front

New Land Rover Defender updates suggest 'if it ain't broke...' approach

Land Rover isn’t fixing what isn’t broken with its hugely popular Defender
News
11 May 2026
Plug-in hybrids outpace EVs on battery degradation due to varied use patterns
Electric car charging

Plug-in hybrids outpace EVs on battery degradation due to varied use patterns

While average battery state of health is roughly the same for EVs and PHEVs, varied use cases create more variance for hybrids
News
11 May 2026
Our EV obsession is holding back green mobility, efficient hybrids are the answer
Toyota Prius - cornering left

Our EV obsession is holding back green mobility, efficient hybrids are the answer

The call for more flexibility and a wider eco focus than the single path to electric is growing
News
12 May 2026