For fans of post-apocalyptic shooters, particularly those inspired by Mad Max, there is a lot to enjoy in Rage 2, which recently became one of 20 Bethesda games added to the Xbox game pass. While the game was met with lukewarm reviews upon release, Rage 2 provides high octane action with colorful characters and a variety of quests and objectives to complete.
Rage 2's enormous sandbox is impressive for its size, but with so few missions to fill it up, most of the player's time is spent commuting between quest markers. Thankfully there are 17 different vehicles players can find throughout the world each with its own traits and special features. The vehicles in Rage 2 are great for traversing the map and having fun along the way with powerful weapons, exciting chases, and racing challenges.
10 The Rolla
A light, fast-moving buggy used by the goon squads that inhabit the wasteland, the Rolla has good speed and smooth handling. Its combat prowess is limited but if used correctly it will make short work of pursuing enemies.
This vehicle has very low defense and is easily wrecked. However, the Rolla's saving grace is a mechanism for dropping Napalm bombs directly behind it. This not only looks spectacular, as your car leaves a trail of burning fire in its wake, but it also makes this car very useful in a chase as any enemy unfortunate enough to be behind you will be incinerated.
9 The Monster Truck
Despite its name, the monster truck is far from the most offensive car in Rage 2. Its specialty is not in destruction but in its ability to traverse difficult terrain. While it is rarely advisable to travel off-road, the monster truck is useful for reaching areas that would be inaccessible in other vehicles.
The monster truck can be found in the Sekreto swamp and is the only car that can drive through wetlands and debris without being slowed down or wrecked. It is also a heavy vehicle, which makes it good for ramming other cars and crushing mutants under its enormous tires.
8 The Raptor
Motorbikes are among the fastest vehicles available in Rage 2, capable of outpacing most cars and larger vehicles. To balance their high speed and agility bikes don't have any weapons and are easily destroyed.
The Raptor is the second-fastest bike in the game and is a useful getaway vehicle for players who need to make a quick exit or escape a dangerous skirmish. While on the bike Walker can only shoot using his sidewinder pistol, or the settler pistol if it has been unlocked. This makes bikes very poor choices for vehicular combat as their strength lies in being able to escape enemies rather than confront them.
7 The Pulveriser
Like the Rolla, the Pulverizer is another light-weight buggy made for overtaking enemies so the player can lay traps for them. It is fragile but fast and its weapons make it a better interceptor than the Rolla. Pulverizers can be easily found by visiting the dune sea although players will have to unlock a special perk to store stolen cars for later use.
The Pulverizer is another car that can only attack enemies behind it which can make it awkward to use at first. However, if players can successfully overtake hostile vehicles the electrical weapons systems and mine dropping mechanism will make short work of any pursuing enemies.
6 The Wind Razor
The sandbox in Rage 2 is enormous and there can often be quite a sizable commute between quests. While the game does have a fast travel system, having a fast vehicle to speed through the wasteland is often more immersive and a lot more fun.
The Wind Razor is the only vehicle capable of outpacing the raptor. Walker is still limited to shooting his pistol, which will only chip an enemy's health at best. However, the Wind Razor is not designed for combat, but instead for players who want to careen around the wasteland's wide-open roads as fast as possible.
5 The Devastator
The Devastator is the older brother of the Pulverizer and is another shrouded car that players can easily find in the dune sea. This car is doesn't have the strongest weapons, but it is very durable and excels at intense vehicular combat.
The Devastator has decent offensive capabilities but its true strength lies in its high-powered energy shields that can deflect enemy fire. Its high defense makes it a useful car if players need an armored vehicle and can't afford to summon the Xerxes III.
4 The Booma
As its name suggests, the Booma is a vehicle for blasting apart enemy convoys and bases with heavy ordnance that can pack a serious punch in combat. This makeshift goon squad tank is slow and difficult to maneuver but capable of wreaking havoc upon enemy vehicles.
While it is a lot of fun to rampage through groups of enemies with the Booma's cannon and mini-nukes, this ramshackle tank doesn't have the best armor. This makes the tank unreliable for base assaults as players can quickly become overwhelmed. When using the Booma it is advisable to have a good weapon and a defibrillator (if the player has found it) to help out if the car gets wrecked.
3 The Icarus Gyrocopter
When it comes to navigating large sandboxes, gliders, helicopters, and other flying machines are great for allowing players to admire the map from a birds-eye view while not sacrificing speed.
The Icarus is the only gyrocopter available in the game and it is a very useful vehicle for players who want to travel the wasteland quickly and without encountering random mobs of enemies. It is sleek, agile and its regular speed is faster than the Phoenix's boost. The Icarus gyrocopter is brilliant for accessing areas that are difficult to reach in a car, which makes it almost essential for completionist players who want to find all of the items and abilities available in Rage 2.
2 The Phoenix
Surprisingly, the very first car players will unlock in the game is also one of the best. The Phoenix is unlocked after completing the game's tutorial and this highly versatile car is one most players will use throughout the whole game. There are even cheat codes that can make it even better.
The Phoenix starts off with middling speed and relatively basic stats. However, its strength lies in the fact that it is the only vehicle in the game that can be upgraded with better armor and customizable weapons. When it is fully upgraded the Phoenix is a jack of all trades capable of keeping up with any other vehicles in the game.
1 The Xerxes III
The Xerxes III is the last car the player can unlock by following the main story and finishing enough missions for Loosum Hagar. This car is the best-armored vehicle in the game and can withstand barrages of missiles and gunfire while obliterating enemies with its powerful weapons.
The only drawback of the Xerxes is its $500 summon fee, meaning in most situations the player will gravitate to calling in the Phoenix instead for a paltry $10. However, when players do need a vehicle with high durability there is no tougher vehicle in Rage 2 than the Xerxes III.