There are times in Need for Speed Heat when one needs to get their hands dirty and get their wheels muddy. In such cases, a pristine exotic or car show-ready tuner won't cut it. Players have to prepare for the occasion with the right off-road car. Granted, just about any car in Need for Speed Heat can be outfitted with off-road parts, but others slide into the role (or the roll) naturally.
Having a dedicated off-road vehicle at the ready is also a great thing as rally-type races are quite common in Miami— sorry, Palm City. It also just so happens that purchasing cars just to test drive them can quickly become expensive. So if players want to save up on the grind but still get the best options for their off-road races, then these rally roadsters will zoom them past the finish line.
Updated October 22, 2022 by Sid Natividad: With the dizzying number of available cars in Need for Speed Heat, it's often hard to pick favorites. That conundrum's only compounded even more so in off-road races since players can turn just about any car into off-road machines. Hence, the NFS Heat best off-road car might not be the most obvious choice.
Because some off-road cards are the mere old and boxy ones outfitted with new engines and transmissions. That's why more options are called for when it comes to picking the best off-road car in NFS Heat. Five more cars were added to the roster so that players could toy around with the upgrades for the ultimate mud and dirt roadster.
12 Dodge Challenger SRT8
- Base Horsepower: 470 bhp
- Base Top Speed: 179 mph
- Base Acceleration(0 to 60mph): 4.20 secs.
- Unlock requirement: Level 10
If players do want something more modern-looking than the boxy 1970s cars recommended below, then the Dodge Challenger SRT8 looks at least promising. Most muscle cars, after all, are great when converted into off-road vehicles. The Dodge Challenger SRT8 just happens to be a bit lighter compared to the pickup truck models.
Base acceleration is astonishing, as usual. That helps a lot when players don't have the cash yet for upgrading the engines and transmissions. As an added bonus, players can make it look like Mad Max's car, which is fitting enough for an off-road machine.
11 '70 Volvo Amazon P130
- Base Horsepower: 115 bhp
- Base Top Speed: 108 mph
- Base Acceleration(0 to 60mph): 11.80 secs.
- Unlock requirement: Level 22
The reason this car is only unlockable at level 22 (which is quite high for an old Volvo) is that it's one of the best off-road vehicles in the game. In fact, the Volvo Amazon might just be on par with the old Volkswagen Beetle when it comes to off-road racing, provided they have the same level of upgrades.
The starting stats are quite pathetic for racing, sadly. So players will need to fork out some cash to torque up this Volvo, and that means saving some money for its hefty upgrade. Luckily, it's not that expensive to purchase at only $19,000.
10 1969 Dodge Charger
- Base Horsepower: 425 bhp
- Base Top Speed: 143 mph
- Base Acceleration(0 to 60mph): 5.40 secs.
- Unlock requirement: Level 2
Players don't exactly need to venture too high up the level grind to afford one of the best off-road vehicles in the game. The old Dodge Charger is still a capable beast if players give it some much-needed love and attention. That means a big golden engine and transmission upgrades.
After installing those, the 1969 Dodge Charger will win most off-road races of the player with quite a bit of steering effort. But despite the handling difficulty, this car is still ideal for off-road racing since most cars handle badly in such a terrain anyway.
9 Porsche Panamara Turbo
- Base Horsepower: 542 bhp
- Base Top Speed: 190 mph
- Base Acceleration(0 to 60mph): 3.60 secs.
- Unlock requirement: Level 18
One can't go wrong with a Porsche. That's why the Porsche Panamara Turbo is a solid choice for players who want both style and speed in any kind of race, that still holds true for off-road with the right gear configuration. Being a Porsche, the top speed ensures that players can maintain huge gaps.
Meanwhile, the incredible base acceleration (which can be further improved) ensures that any off-road mistake doesn't cost the players too much time when it comes to catching up. Sure, it's not as pretty as the other Porsche models in the game, but it's also not as expensive.
8 Ford Focus RS
- Base Horsepower: 345 bhp
- Base Top Speed: 165 mph
- Base Acceleration(0 to 60mph): 4.40 secs.
- Unlock requirement: Level 16
The Ford Focus RS looks well-equipped for off-road racing even in stock configuration, and it usually is. The acceleration is good enough to gain a good head start against other cars and the top speed is nearly as good as that of a Euro car.
The caveat is that it's only unlockable at Level 16 and at that point in the game, there might be better-looking options. But at only $56,500, this cheap Ford car is still a worthy investment, especially if players only start tackling off-road races a bit later in their levels.
7 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
- Base Horsepower: 291
- Base Top Speed: 165 mph
- Base Acceleration(0 to 60mph): 5.4 secs.
- Unlock requirement: Level 14
The Mitsubishi Lancer was a robust line of vehicles that were sadly discontinued in real life, but they have found a strong purpose in Need for Speed Heat. Because the Evo X is quite a beast, even with just a 2.0L engine on the first time players unlock them at level 14.
Like most cars, players can race with them right away after purchasing them without any upgrades, but players can be more confident off-road with the Evo X. Its system by default is calibrated for grip and handling. Plus, it's not as expensive as European cars.
6 BMW X6 M
- Base Horsepower: 567 bhp
- Base Top Speed: 155 mph
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60mph): 4.2 secs.
- Unlock requirement: Level 16
If players do want to graduate to something heavier and stockier, then a European model might do better. The BMW X6 M offers a lot more base horsepower right out of the dealership, giving it a better potential than previous off-road cars of lower levels.
It doesn't exactly have the best top speed out of all the affordable off-road cars in Need for Speed Heat, but players can easily correct their mistakes and catch up after crashing thanks to the more robust acceleration.
5 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 ‘17
- Base Horsepower: 308 bhp
- Base Top Speed: 130 mph
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60mph): 7.3 secs.
- Unlock requirement: Level 24
It's a pickup truck, meaning it's typically only for off-road races; so it certainly doesn't have the Evo X's versatility. However, the Colorado measures up well to its real-world counterpart as it's one of Chevrolet's best offerings when it comes to off-road performance.
The ZR2 also has an "Off-Road" mode which adjusts its calibrations depending on the specific terrain. It's a lot more reliable compared to coupe racers converted into off-roaders because of this feature. Players will have to put in the upgrades in order for the Colorado to keep up well at Reputation Level 24 cars.
4 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ‘11
- Base Horsepower: 296 bhp
- Base Top Speed: 158 mph
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60mph): 5.1 secs
- Unlock requirement: Level 24
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI '11 is a good contender for an off-road car against the Chevvy Colorado. They both unlock at Level 24, but the Subaru has the advantage at stock due to its much lighter frame, allowing for faster acceleration and higher top speed.
This 2011 model was but a refresh of the previous year's stellar design, but it improved upon the suspensions and the tires. That very well makes it more heavy-duty for some dusty and muddy races in Palm City. In any case, one can't go wrong with either this or the Colorado. But those preferring a lighter vehicle with a bit tighter handling might want to opt for this Subaru.
3 Volkswagen Beetle
- Base Horsepower: 40 bhp
- Base Top Speed: 81 mph
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60mph): Unknown
- Unlock requirement: Level 22
Why does this old air-cooled clunker from '63 require Level 22? Because it's actually one of the most impressive off-road cars in the game. Players will have to put the work into the upgrades and replace the engine completely, practically turning the whole car into a Mad Max machine.
After that, however, the old Bettle becomes a force to be reckoned with on dirt roads. Don't be fooled by the measly top speed; this thing turns into a blunt mini-rocket upon an engine change. Also, the lightweight makes it a lot less sluggish to handle and control.
2 Mazda MX5 Miata
- Base Horsepower: 133 bhp
- Base Top Speed: Unknown
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60mph): Unknown
- Unlock requirement: Level 20
Turns out the sleek and sexy Miata isn't just for display and status— at least in Need for Speed Heat. When outfitted with off-road gear and the right engines, the Miata becomes a good staple for off-road races. As an added bonus, it's also versatile and can be changed back to the asphalt setup.
What does propel the Miata to the top of the pack in off-road races is its low profile and impressive chassis. The handling is also superb regardless of the road, allowing players to make tight turns with ease without compromising speed too much.
1 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 '73
- Base Horsepower: 308 bhp
- Base Top Speed: 174 mph
- Base Acceleration (0 to 60mph): 5.0 secs.
- Unlock requirement: Level 16
If players have the money at Level 16, then they can forego the BMW or skip the Lancer Evo X because the Porsche 911 Carrer RSR is one of the most powerful and fastest racers inNeed for Speed Heat. It holds up well on its own, even in stock.
Players can simply change the engine to something with more horses once it starts getting outclassed by other Euro cars on asphalt roads. Off-road, it shines well with the right gear as it allows players to both drift and turn tightly, as is the case for most exotics in the game. And of course, one can't deny how impressive it is regardless of the usage.
Need for Speed Heat is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
