Summary
- Need for Speed Heat drifting events require the right car for success, focusing on solid acceleration and smooth handling to enable controlled slides.
- Affordable vintage cars like the Nissan Fairlady 240ZG, Volvo 242DL, and Buick Grand National can be surprisingly effective for drifting after a few upgrades.
- While newer players may lean towards legendary tuner vehicles like the Mazda RX-7 or Nissan Silvia, more experienced players might opt to tackle the raw power of muscle cars like the Dodge SRT Viper or Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.
Need For Speed is perhaps the most popular racing game franchise. For over twenty years, Electronic Arts has taken players on rides across countries, through crowded city streets, and even local circuit racetracks. Each game in the series features a wealth of amazing vehicles that players will love purchasing and upgrading to their heart's content until the bulk of the game's events can be completed with relative ease.
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One of the most celebrated installments in the franchise is Need For Speed Heat. Players can get behind the will of their favorite vehicles and take on the game's content in several ways while also being able to fully customize their ride inside and out. Picking the right car for the situation is vital for success, and not all tuners are created equal. Specifically, in drift events, choosing the best drift car in NFS Heat can make or break a race depending on how the vehicle takes turns and grips the road.
Updated January 30, 2025 by Vlad Mazanko: NFS Heat offers a diverse range of events, and players must carefully select and modify cars to match specific challenges, including drifting. A car built for high-speed races won't necessarily excel in drift events, making it crucial to choose the right vehicle for the job.
Traditionally, rear-wheel-drive cars, such as Japanese tuner classics or American muscle cars, are the go-to choices for drifting, though there are some noteworthy exceptions. Investing in a car's acceleration is also more critical than focusing on its top speed, as quick bursts between turns are key to maximizing drift scores. This updated list highlights the best drift cars in NFS Heat, complete with stats to help players ace these events in style.
1 Mazda RX-7 Spirit R 2002
One Of The Best Drift Rides That Unlocks Early
- Base Performance Rating: 144
- Base Horsepower: 276 bhp
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 4.80 sec
- Top Speed: 159 mph
- Cost: $59,500
- How To Unlock: Reach Rep Level 4
The Mazda RX-7 is a tuner fan's dream. It's a Japanese two-door sedan with a twin-turbo engine that hits speeds upwards of about one hundred and fifty miles per hour without modification. The RX-7 is a classic among racing fans in both professional and street-level communities because of its handling and drifting capabilities.
However, the Mazda RX-7 gained much of its popularity from the Initial D racing manga and anime series which made it a fixture in the drifting community. Players who equip a Pro Drift Differential and some Elite Drift tires on this machine will slide around corners with no effort at all.
2 Nissan Skyline GT-R V·Spec 1999
An Iconic Racing King In Every Discipline, Including Drifting
- Base Performance Rating: 139
- Base Horsepower: 327 bhp
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 5.20 sec
- Top Speed: 157 mph
- Cost: $73,000
- How To Unlock: Reach Rep Level 14
The Nissan Skyline has always been a powerful machine and a fan favorite among racing enthusiasts. Perhaps the majority of its popularity sprung from the Fast and Furious movie franchise. The Skyline is an above-average vehicle on drifting tracks with a back end that slides outward easily but maintains a steady acceleration allowing it to maintain speed.
Players may want to apply the Sport Drift Differential to maximize sideways distance and to allow maximum performance and feel when taking on corners. The Nissan Skyline is a beast on any street and maintains dominance as one of the best drift cars in Need for Speed Heat.
3 Mazda MX-5 2015
Smaller Size And Mobility Can Come In Handy When Scoring Chains Of Slides
- Base Performance Rating: 111
- Base Horsepower: 158 bhp
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 6.90 sec
- Top Speed: 133 mph
- Cost: $31,500
- How To Unlock: Reach Rep Level 20
The Mazda MX-5 is somewhat overlooked in Need for Speed Heat, despite being a top contender in drift events. In addition to its real-world performance, the Mazda MX-5 is a great pick when utilizing the right build, achieving a minimum of sixty thousand point runs depending on the track.
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Players won't have any problem clearing events but should keep in mind that because of the vehicle's size, the back end may not slide out as much as desired. However, this doesn't impact the vehicle's ability too much. While the Mazda MX-5 is an overall versatile car that competes adequately in multiple types of races, it overtakes the competition in Drifting.
4 Nissan Silvia Spec-R Aero 2002
A Drifting Cult Classic That Will Always Get The Job Done
- Base Performance Rating: 139
- Base Horsepower: 247 bhp
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 5.40 sec
- Top Speed: 165 mph
- Cost: $45,000
- How To Unlock: Reach Rep Level 3
The Nissan Silvia is perhaps one of the most prominent vehicles in the drifting community and one of the most popular drift cars in the Need for Speed Heat. The car is gifted with a rear-wheel drive paired with a stock turbocharged inline engine that pushes towards one hundred and sixty at top speed.
In Need For Speed Heat, the Silvia has superb handling and excels at many different tracks. However, Drifting is where the Silvia shines as it hovers across wet streets and kisses the guard rails of downhill twists and turns.
5 Subaru BRZ Premium 2014
As Great For Rally Events As It Is For Serious Drifting On The Streets
- Base Performance Rating: 116
- Base Horsepower: 197 bhp
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 6.40 sec
- Top Speed: 143 mph
- Cost: $36,500
- How To Unlock: Reach Rep Level 14
The Subaru BRZ is a mainstay in the Need For Speed world, as well as the street racing community. It's celebrated for its handling and high-speed capabilities. The BRZ was a joint venture by the Japanese companies Toyota and Subaru and was released with a wide variety of interest thanks to its sleek look and various optional builds.
The Subaru BRZ is loosely based on the 2000GT, and because of that, the vehicle quickly hit the streets as a racing contender. With the right build, the Subaru BRZ can put its peers to shame with the way it bends around corners, reaching a complete sideways drift and clean glides across all types of terrain.
6 Nissan 180SX Type-X 1996
Nearly As Iconic And Influential As The Silvia Aero
- Base Performance Rating: 125
- Base Horsepower: 203 bhp
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 5.70 sec
- Top Speed: 152 mph
- Cost: $43,500
- How To Unlock: Reach Rep Level 14
Almost as iconic and influential in the drifting scene as the legendary Nissan Silvia Spec-R Aero, the 180SX Type-X is another Nissan standout, known for its exceptional sliding performance. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Type-X underwent multiple updates in 1994 and 1996, receiving exterior enhancements such as a wider body and revised spoiler variations.
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In terms of drifting capabilities, the stock version may fall short of the acceleration needed for extended, high-scoring slides. However, with some upgrades, the 180SX Type-X transforms into a true powerhouse, making it an invaluable addition to any driver's garage — especially given its very budget-friendly price tag.
7 BMW M4 2018
Striking A Balance Between Tuners And Muscle Cars
- Base Performance Rating: 206
- Base Horsepower: 425 bhp
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 4.10 sec
- Top Speed: 181 mph
- Cost: $87,500
- How To Unlock: Reach Rep Level 18
Many BMWs are excellent choices for drift events in Need for Speed Heat due to their RWD layout, and the BMW M4 is no exception. With solid stats across the board and a balance of reliable yet controllable skidding during cornering, the M4 is a versatile drift setup in the game. It occupies a middle ground between Japanese tuner classics, which often lack engine power, and muscle cars, which tend to overdeliver in raw power.
The BMW M4 boasts new inter-stitching and an improved suspension system, designed to provide smoother handling without compromising comfort. Getting accustomed to the M4 takes very little time, making it an excellent choice for players looking to achieve strong scores right out of the gate.
8 Nissan 370Z Heritage Edition 2019
A More Exclusive Yet Equally Promising Older Brother To The 350Z
- Base Performance Rating: 159
- Base Horsepower: 331 bhp
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 4.80 sec
- Top Speed: 175 mph
- Cost: $53,500
- How To Unlock: Reach Rep Level 7
The 370Z Heritage Edition is the more exclusive and powerful sibling of the iconic 350Z, offering a limited-production package while maintaining the same sleek, compact frame and low chassis. Despite the Heritage Edition lacking performance or handling upgrades over the base 370Z, which itself shares many traits with the 350Z, players can expect the same excellent cornering control from this RWD setup, along with extensive customization options.
One key advantage over the 350Z is the improved acceleration, a vital asset for drifting on courses with plenty of curves and turns. Additionally, newer models feature slightly reduced weight due to updated materials, further enhancing the car's racing potential.
9 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2014
A More Expensive Muscle Choice For Pro Drifters
- Base Performance Rating: 206
- Base Horsepower: 504 bhp
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 3.90 sec
- Top Speed: 177 mph
- Cost: $93,000
- How To Unlock: Reach Rep Level 18
When the new model for the Camaro was released, racing fans had their minds blown. A well-known classic among all forms of racetracks, the Camaro has always had a prominent reputation on the street. The new model met all expectations and quickly became a favorite for muscle car fans and Tuner fans alike.
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The Chevrolet Camaro is a beast on the road, able to reach speeds upwards of one hundred and sixty miles per hour with stock parts alone. If modified correctly, the Camaro can boast a girthy eleven hundred horsepower. When geared for Drift events in the game, the Camaro excels at fishtailing around corners. In the right hands, a Camaro can be one of the best drift cars in Need For Speed Heat, hands down.
10 Volvo 242DL 1975
Stylish And Affordable, Yet Demands Some Investment And Dedication
- Base Performance Rating: 100
- Base Horsepower: 97 bhp
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 10.33 sec
- Top Speed: 96 mph
- Cost: $24,000
- How To Unlock: Reach Rep Level 22
Players who want to use a classic vehicle to own their opponents in style will love using the 1975 Volvo 242DL. It's one of the best drift cars in NFS Heat and can slide around corners like a beast with the right build. Most drift events will become incredibly easy once players get an optimal version of this car.
As one would expect from any drift car, players shouldn't get too greedy if they've stacked up a ton of Rep in Need for Speed Heat at night. Outrunning the police in this car will be an exercise in futility in Heat Level 3 and beyond. Gamers are better off playing the long game and not taking too many risks with this vehicle after winning a few drift events at night.