With over 140 cars, Need for Speed Unbound has the largest car roster in the series yet, from A$AP Rocky’s custom Mercedes-Benz 190E to the legendary BMW M3 GTR made famous by Most Wanted.
Because there's a lot of grinding, you won't be able to afford the best cars when starting the game. That means you're going to be stuck with your starter car for a long time, so it's important to choose wisely.
With that in mind, these are the best Need for Speed Unbound starter cars.
Need for Speed Unbound starter cars
When you play Need for Speed Unbound for the first time, there are only three cars to choose from: the 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, 1988 Lamborghini Countach 25th, and 1998 Nissan Silvia K's.
Out of these, the Lamborghini Countach 25th is the best all-rounder. With a top speed of 193 mph without modifications, it’s the fastest car and also has the best handling.
click to enlarge
+ 5Don’t get too attached to these cars, however. At the end of the prologue, the Ryders Rides garage gets robbed and you lose your starter car.
Starting from scratch, you’re given limited funds to buy a new junker car and start your journey in Lakeshore. Reminiscent of Most Wanted, Unbound turns into a revenge story with you working your way up to the Lakeshore Grand to win back your stolen ride.
After you complete the prologue, you’re given $37,500 to buy your real starter car.
From Japanese tuners to American muscle cars and hot hatchbacks, there is 11 Need for Speed Unbound starter cars to choose from:
- 1963 Volkswagen Beetle – $29,500
- 1971 Nissan Fairlady 240ZG – $32,500
- 2014 Subaru BRZ Premium – $33,250
- 1996 Mazda MX-5 (NA) – $33,800
- 1965 Ford Mustang – $33,980
- 1977 Pontiac Firebird – $34,120
- 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – $34,470
- 2000 Honda Civic Type-R (EK9) – $34,500
- 2008 Ford Crown Victoria – $34,600
- 2015 Mazda MX-5 (ND) – $34,700
- 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX – $35,000
What are the best starter cars in Need for Speed Unbound?
As money is hard to come by in the early stages of the game, choosing the right starter car in Need Speed Unbound is crucial. Which one you choose depends on your personal taste and whether you prefer drift or grip cars.
Rear-wheel-drive cars like the Subaru BRZ are better suited to drifting, while front-wheel and all-wheel drive cars have better grip.
However, there are three starter cars that stand out from the rest based on race data compiled by Militia Gaming Community. These three cars performed best in events, giving higher payouts to spend on upgrades, faster cars, and event entry fees.
Based on speed and handling tests in the Turntable and Riverwalk races, the Ford Mustang Boss 302 is the best overall starter car in Need for Speed Unbound.
Out of the 11 starter cars, the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 set the fastest time in the top speed and cornering tests. This is partly because the Mustang Boss 302 is easy to drift, which gives you more burst nitrous boosts in races.
click to enlarge+ 5If you’re not a fan of muscle cars, the 1971 Nissan Fairlady 240ZG is also a great choice. Costing $32,500, it’s the second cheapest starter car after the Volkswagen Beetle, yet it’s one of the fastest starter cars with a top speed of 143 mph.Â
click to enlarge+ 5Combining the results of the two tests, the Pontiac Firebird is the third fastest starter car. It performs well in events, but its slow acceleration makes it difficult to escape police.
This is not an issue in events however as you can use the perfect start mechanic to get a speed boost off the line.
click to enlarge+ 5Another alternative is the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX. Thanks to its AWD layout, it has lots of grip but is also easy to drift.
While it’s not the fastest starter car, its superior handling means you don’t have to level it up to win races.
click to enlarge+ 5By using the best starter cars in Need for Speed Unbound, you'll level up in no time and earn more money to buy your dream car!
For more articles like this, take a look at our Need for Speed page.