Best Cars For The Grand In Need For Speed Unbound

Summary

The Grand in NFS Unbound challenges players to compete using four vehicles across A, A+, S, and S+ tiers, making preparation difficult due to limited in-game funds.
Planning a budget in advance is crucial to securing the best cars for each tier and upgrading them effectively in NFS Unbound.
For an easier path to victory in The Grand, players should consider the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 (A), Lotus Emira (A+), Nissan GT-R (S), and Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 (S+).

In Need for Speed Unbound, The Grand serves as the ultimate racing challenge in the game's story mode, bringing together Lakeshore's best street racers for a high-stakes competition. Unlike other events in the story, The Grand requires players to field four different vehicles across four performance tiers: A, A+, S, and S+. Each race in The Grand corresponds to one of these tiers, requiring players to switch cars between events. This adds a layer of strategy, as players must carefully select and tune their vehicles to excel in each class.

The rewards for conquering The Grand are substantial, including a tuned version of the vehicle chosen during the prologue and a hefty $1 million cash prize. However, preparing for this event can be challenging. Players have four in-game weeks to build a competitive garage, a task made harder by limited funds and constant nighttime police pursuits. Selecting the right cars for The Grand is crucial, balancing affordability, upgrade potential, responsive handling, and performance. To help players get the most value and performance for their money, let's explore some of the best vehicle options for each tier in NFS Unbound.

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Updated March 8, 2025, by Vlad Mazanko: EA recently provided an update on the next Need for Speed game, and the news suggests it's still a long way off. Developer Criterion Games has confirmed that new NFS titles are in the works but won't arrive anytime soon, leaving fans without a fresh installment in 2025. For now, Need for Speed Unbound remains the latest entry in the series, and likely marks one of the longest gaps between releases in its history.

Meanwhile, Need for Speed Unbound has concluded its post-launch support, which stands out as one of the most robust in the franchise's history. The game received several significant content updates, though these were exclusively online-focused, offering little for single-player enthusiasts. Still, Unbound brims with content, featuring a wealth of racing events and customizable vehicles for both online and offline modes. This depth ensures players have plenty of options as they gear up for the ultimate campaign challenge—the final racing event known as The Grand.

1 Tier A, Recommended Budget: $100,000

Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX or Lotus Exige S

	Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8	Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX	Lotus Exige S
Default Tier	A 204	A 208	A 164
Top Speed	174 mph	171 mph	148 mph
Horsepower	308 bhp	366 bhp	218 bhp
Cost	$96,000	$92,000	$74,000

When selecting a Tier A vehicle for The Grand in Need for Speed Unbound, players have a wide variety of affordable and competitive options to choose from. Many B and A-tier vehicles are readily available in the shop, and others can be won during the first two weeks of the story mode. For players seeking the absolute best, two standout recommendations are the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, both offering excellent default stats, strong upgrade potential, and reasonable price tags.

The 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 is a fan favorite for good reason. Renowned for its dominance in the B tier in Lakeshore Online with some tweaking, it is undoubtedly one of the top performers in A-tier events. Its precise handling, impressive speed, and exceptional acceleration require only minimal upgrades to leave competitors in the dust. On the other hand, the Lancer Evolution IX is slightly less aggressive off the line but excels in smooth control and cornering, making it a reliable choice for grip-focused races.

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For players exploring alternative options within a reasonable budget, other excellent choices include the Dodge Challenger SRT8, Nissan 370Z, and Lotus Exige S. Each ride brings unique strengths to A-tier events, ensuring solid performance for those who invest wisely.

The last vehicle may start with stats that pale in comparison to the Porsche or Mitsubishi, but its remarkable upgrade flexibility lets tuners unlock its hidden potential with significant enhancements. This lightweight sports car comes with a notably lower price tag than its rivals, freeing up funds for upgrades that effortlessly propel it to the top of the A-tier class. With improved top speed and sharper, more responsive handling, it proves itself a formidable contender. No matter which ride the players choose, these options are sure to deliver results.

2 Tier A+, Recommended Budget: $110,000

Ford Mustang GT, Lotus Emira or Nissan Z Prototype

	Ford Mustang GT	Lotus Emira	Nissan Z Prototype
Default Tier	A+ 213	A+ 221	A+ 215
Top Speed	164 mph	180 mph	188 mph
Horsepower	435 bhp	400 bhp	400 bhp
Cost	$91,000	$106,000	$101,500

For The Grand's A+ tier in Need for Speed Unbound, players will likely already have several vehicles ready to tweak for this performance class by the time they reach these events. However, while there are many competitive cars to choose from, players should steer clear of overly expensive options, as they're often unnecessary for this tier. For a sub-$110,000 budget, two standout choices are the Ford Mustang GT and the Lotus Emira, both offering an excellent balance of affordability and performance.

When deciding between the two, players should consider their preferred driving style. The Lotus Emira caters to players favoring grip builds and boasts a higher top speed, making it an excellent choice for precision road races. Conversely, the Ford Mustang GT is a quintessential muscle car with roaring power and rear-wheel drive, perfect for those who enjoy a drift-focused build or aggressive cornering. Both vehicles perform exceptionally well in A+ tier events, even with minimal upgrades.

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If neither of these fits one's preferences, other strong contenders within this tier and budget include the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, BMW M2, Porsche Cayman GT4,BMW M4, Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe, and, most especially, Nissan Z Prototype.

For a comparable price tag, players get an impressive top speed of nearly 190 mph right out of the gate, paired with Nissan's signature handling that stays reliable even on the most intense, turn-heavy racetracks. It's also worth noting that players can claim a free Z Prototype as a Story mode reward, securing one of the top A+-tier cars, alongside several pre-installed upgrades, for just a modest racing entry fee. Despite the player choice here, all the above-mentioned vehicles bring solid and diverse capabilities, ensuring there's an option for every type of racer for the A+ tier.

3 Tier S, Recommended Budget: $170,000

Polestar 1 One, Nissan GT-R Premium Edition or Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

	Polestar 1 One	Nissan GT-R Premium Edition	Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Default Tier	A+ 239	S 272	A+ 261
Top Speed	155 mph	196 mph	184 mph
Horsepower	626 bhp	565 bhp	495 bhp
Cost	$162,000	$148,500	$141,500

As the tiers climb higher in Need for Speed Unbound, the price of competitive cars increases significantly, making smart purchasing decisions essential. For the S tier, players should aim to cap their budget at around $170,000 in the story mode. This price range provides access to several exceptional vehicles without overspending. Two standout options in this category are the Polestar 1 and the Nissan GT-R Premium Edition, both of which deliver top-tier performance when tuned properly.

The Polestar 1, originally an A+ tier vehicle, might seem unremarkable due to its default top speed. However, with the right upgrades, it becomes a fast, reliable, and versatile car, making it an excellent choice for S-tier races. On the other hand, the Nissan GT-R Premium Edition, a legendary name in street racing, is an all-around powerhouse. Its balance of speed, handling, and adaptability makes it suitable for any racing discipline in the game, ensuring a reliable performance in The Grand.

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For players seeking alternatives in the same price range, other solid choices include the Acura NSX, SRT Viper GTS, Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, Mercedes-AMG GT S Coupe, and, most notably, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

The Stingray merges the allure of an exotic car with the raw power of modern muscle, arriving as a race-ready beast that devours tarmac during high-stakes events with its thunderous setup. Its predictable rear-wheel-drive (RWD) handling, which is typical of a Corvette, can take some getting used to, with a tendency to drift through longer turns, though savvy drivers can turn this quirk to their advantage. Equipping top-tier nitrous upgrades is recommended, however, to swiftly curb unwanted oversteering and boost acceleration on straightaways. When approaching the S tier class, all these vehicles offer a mix of speed, style, and handling, giving players plenty of options to dominate the competition.

4 Tier S+, Recommended Budget: $300,000 to $600,000

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4, Porsche 918 Spyder or Ford GT

	Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4	Porsche 918 Spyder	Ford GT
Default Tier	S+ 359	S+ 365	S+331
Top Speed	221 mph	211 mph	216 mph
Horsepower	803 bhp	887 bhp	646 bhp
Cost	$283,000	$591,500	$342,500

For the S+ tier, players should prepare to spend heavily, as this tier boasts the fastest and most exclusive cars in Need for Speed Unbound, with prices escalating quickly. Acquiring the top-tier rides, such as the Koenigsegg Regera, can be challenging before securing The Grand's $1,000,000 prize, so most players will need to focus on more affordable options that can still perform exceptionally well with upgrades. A sensible budget here is around $300,000, which offers access to the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 — widely regarded as one of the best value-for-money options in the game. Its well-balanced stats for top speed, acceleration, and handling make it a formidable road rocket.

Other great vehicles within this price range include the Ferrari 488 Pista, Lamborghini Huracán Performante, McLaren 570S, and McLaren 600LT, all of which can dominate the S+ tier with some performance tweaks.

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For those who have managed to earn extra cash, doubling the budget to around $600,000 opens up access to elite S+ vehicles like the Porsche 918 Spyder. Known for its lightning-fast acceleration and minimal upgrade requirements to hit the coveted 400+ performance class, the 918 Spyder is an exceptional choice. Additionally, the Ford GT and Lamborghini Aventador SVJ are strong contenders, offering superb stats and reliability for players ready to make a serious investment in their final ride for The Grand.

The Ford GT shouldn't be underestimated, as this contemporary automotive legend packs ample hidden power under the hood, ready to be unleashed. Even in its stock form, the car boasts a formidable top speed, and with a few affordable upgrades, the Ford GT can climb to the elite S+-tier ranks, proving itself a dependable, swift, and striking choice for The Grand.

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