Rockstar Lead Says GTA 6 Driving Combines GTA 4’s Weight With GTA 5’s Accessibility

Driving has always been one of the defining parts of the Grand Theft Auto experience, and Rockstar appears to be taking a hybrid approach with GTA 6. Rather than completely following either GTA 4’s heavier vehicle handling or GTA 5’s more accessible controls, the studio wants the next game to combine the strongest elements of both.

Rockstar co-studio head Rob Nelson discussed GTA 6’s driving during an interview with TGG, addressing whether the vehicles have the same weighty feel that made GTA 4’s physics so distinctive. His comments suggest that Rockstar has rebuilt the underlying system to provide considerably more control over how individual vehicles behave.

GTA 6 Driving Takes the Best From GTA 4 and GTA 5

Speaking to TGG, Nelson was asked whether GTA 6’s cars feel as heavy as those in GTA 4. The Rockstar lead responded that the weightiness is present

“only in the best way possible,”

explaining that the team wanted to preserve the strongest aspects of GTA 4’s vehicle feel while retaining GTA 5’s accessibility.

Nelson also revealed that the driving system was

“built up from scratch on this hardware.”

This has reportedly given Rockstar much greater control over the individual components affecting vehicle physics, including the drivetrain, tires, suspension and steering.

That approach could allow GTA 6’s vehicles to feel more distinct from one another while avoiding the sometimes cumbersome handling associated with GTA 4. At the same time, Rockstar appears to be keeping the controls approachable enough that players do not need to master complicated vehicle physics simply to drive around Vice City and Leonida.

The comments are particularly notable following GTA 6’s recent extended look, which showcased several driving sequences involving Jason and Lucia. However, players will still have to wait for the full release before determining how closely the finished game matches Nelson’s description. Rockstar has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI launches November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.