Top Brands for Speedy Racing in Need for Speed Payback

Need for Speed Payback offers players an exhilarating racing experience, allowing them to customize their cars for peak performance and style. The right choice of brand can make all the difference in achieving top speeds and agility on the racetrack. When selecting the best brands for tuning your vehicle, players often consider those that offer the best parts for enhancing speed, acceleration, and handling. To help you dominate the streets, we've compiled a list of the top brands that stand out in the game. Read on to discover which brands will give your ride the ultimate boost in Need for Speed Payback.

Illustration of runner nfs payback

Best brands of runner nfs payback in 2025

Porsche

Porsche is renowned as one of the top performers in the Need for Speed: Payback universe, particularly in the runner and race specs. The Porsche 918 Spyder, for instance, boasts an impressive 1083 HP when fully upgraded to level 399, making it a strong contender against other high-performance cars like the Pagani Huayra BC and the Koenigsegg Regera. The 911 Carrera RSR 2.8, another Porsche model, is noted for its exceptional acceleration and handling, even outperforming the Regera in some events despite having significantly less horsepower (716 HP vs 1504 HP). These cars are available in various specs, including drag, drift, and off-road, highlighting Porsche's versatility and dominance in the game. With prices ranging from 96,200 to 596,700 in-game credits, Porsche cars offer a balance of performance and affordability. Watch a video highlight to see Porsche cars in action.

Pagani

Pagani, an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, is renowned for its high-performance vehicles, making it a top choice for gamers in Need for Speed: Payback. The Pagani Huayra BC, in particular, stands out with its impressive 978HP when fully upgraded, showcasing exceptional acceleration and handling in the game. Introduced in 2016, the Huayra BC is a limited-production hypercar that reflects Pagani's commitment to innovative design and superior performance. In Need for Speed: Payback, the Huayra BC can achieve remarkable speeds and acceleration, making it a favorite among players. Its inclusion in the game highlights Pagani's reputation for crafting vehicles that combine art and engineering. For an in-depth look at the Pagani Huayra BC in action, check out this video review.

Lamborghini

Lamborghini is renowned as one of the top performers in the game Need for Speed: Payback, particularly with models like the Huracan LP610-4, which stands out for its exceptional handling and drift recovery speed. The Huracan, fully upgraded to Level 399, boasts 935HP and is considered the best Lamborghini in the game, rivaling cars like the Porsche 918 and Pagani Huayra in terms of handling and performance. It excels in technical tracks due to its strong drift recovery speed, although it may be slightly weaker in acceleration compared to other top-tier cars. The Murcielago and Diablo also show promising performance, but the Huracan's responsiveness to brake drift and high drift recovery exit speed make it a favorite among players. In lap time comparisons, the Huracan consistently ranks high, making it a solid choice for competitive racing. For a visual showcase of the Lamborghini Huracan in action, check out this video on YouTube.

Ferrari

Ferrari is not included in Need for Speed: Payback, making it one of the notable absences in the game. This exclusion is significant, as Ferrari models have been popular choices in previous Need for Speed titles. The absence is attributed to the lack of a licensing agreement, which has been a recurring issue for the series. For more details, you can visit the discussion on the EA Answers forum.

Bugatti

Bugatti is renowned as one of the premier manufacturers of high-performance vehicles, making it a standout in games like Need for Speed: Payback. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, for instance, boasts 1,200 PS, a maximum torque of 1,500 Nm, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 415 km/h. This model set a Guinness World Record in 2010 with a speed of 431.072 km/h, solidifying its position as one of the fastest production cars in the world. The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ further pushed the boundaries, achieving a top speed of over 304 mph in 2019. These achievements underscore Bugatti's commitment to innovation and performance. For more information on the Veyron model, visit the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport page.

Koenigsegg

The Koenigsegg brand stands out as one of the top performers in Need for Speed Payback, particularly with the Koenigsegg Regera, which boasts an impressive 1504 HP and a top speed of 264mph (425km/h), making it the fastest car in the game. When converted to off-road spec, the Regera becomes a 4WD car with an 80% front bias, enhancing its off-road capabilities. This car is highly regarded for its performance, with minimal speed loss when driving off the dirt trail. Fully upgraded, it outperforms other top-tier cars in the game. The Regera's dominance is evident in both race and off-road events.

Nissan

In "Need for Speed: Payback," Nissan is a notable brand, particularly with the 2017 Nissan R35 GT-R, which, despite its handling issues, boasts impressive performance stats. Fully upgraded to Level 399, the Nissan R35 GT-R achieves 1157 HP, a 0-60 mph time of 1.53 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of around 8.5 seconds. However, its weak cornering and understeer limit its overall performance. The Nissan Fairlady 240ZG, another Nissan model, can be transformed into a drag racing monster with the right modifications. While Nissan cars may not always top the charts in every category, they offer strong acceleration and power. For more detailed insights on these cars, visit this comprehensive vehicle guide.

BMW

The BMW brand stands out as one of the best producers for runner cars in Need for Speed Payback, particularly with the 2017 BMW M5, which boasts 441 kW/600 hp, peak torque of 750 Nm, and features the advanced M xDrive all-wheel drive system. This car is exclusive to NFS Payback and was debuted through a videogame partnership at gamescom in 2017. It offers supreme propulsive power and formidable performance, making it a pinnacle ride in the game. The BMW M5 is praised for its acceleration, handling, and top speed, making it highly effective for various events and missions. Its inclusion in the game marks a significant collaboration between BMW and EA, highlighting BMW's commitment to high-performance vehicles. For more details, see the official BMW press release.

McLaren

McLaren is renowned as one of the top performers in the Need for Speed: Payback universe, particularly with models like the McLaren 570S and McLaren P1. The McLaren 570S, when fully upgraded to level 399, boasts 983HP and excels in cornering and acceleration, though it has issues with gear ratios and kerb interaction. The McLaren P1, also fully upgraded to level 399, achieves 1060HP but is noted for its heavy drifting and limited drift angle, making it less competitive in certain events. Despite these nuances, McLaren cars are highly sought after for their high-performance capabilities and aesthetic customization options. For instance, the McLaren P1 can reach speeds that make it competitive, though it may be outperformed by other top-tier cars like the Koenigsegg Regera. For more insights, check out the video on McLaren models in Need for Speed: Payback.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin, a renowned luxury car brand, stands out in Need for Speed Payback as a top choice for runners, with models like the DB11 and Vulcan offering exceptional performance. The DB11, priced at 154,600 in the game, is available in drag, drift, and race specs, despite some issues with drift recovery speed and cornering. The Vulcan, with its strong acceleration, is another formidable option, priced at 705,100 and also available in multiple specs. These cars, fully upgraded to level 399, showcase impressive horsepower, with the DB11 reaching 1327HP, though they may lack in certain handling aspects compared to other high-performance cars like the Porsche 911 RSR. Aston Martin's presence in the game highlights their commitment to high-performance vehicles. For a closer look at these impressive cars in action, check out the video demonstration here.