The EA Sports WRC car list is immense spreading across multiple classes, but which are the most popular? We have been through the time trial leaderboards to help you decide which to pick.
Whilst many parts of EA Sports WRC leave to be desired, one element of the game is truly to die for. With over 70 models to choose from, the car list is truly astonishing. In fact, many players will be left wondering where to start in each class.
Whilst rallying if far less machinery oriented than circuit racing with its driver-limited nature, driving the ‘best’ car is certainly helpful. This early on in the game’s lifespan, it will be tricky working out which cars are the fastest. However, one can certainly work out the most popular cars in EA Sports WRC.
That is exactly what we have done. By trawling through the title’s Time Trial leaderboards, we have spotted the models that most frequently appear at the top of the standings. Here are the cars we think are the most likely to give you results.
Toyota tops the WRC class
In the real world, the current regulations of hybrid R1 WRC cars have clearly seen domination on Toyota’s side. Kalle Rovanperä recently took his second title in a row with the Japanese brand that has found itself more often than not on the top step in the last two years.
It seems that is also the case in-game. The majority of stage leaderboards show great domination by the Toyota GR Yaris R1. One must believe this is the car to take for the WRC class. That being said, loose surface stages do see the Ford and Hyundai feature more towards the top.
Skoda Dominant in WRC2
In Rally 2, Skoda is already a dominant force. With two models appearing in the class, there are of course more opportunities for the Czech manufacturer to do well. However, when every single stage leaderboard shows non-stop Skoda Fabia RS in the first places, it cannot be a coincidence.
The model pedalled most prominently by Oliver Solberg, an EA Sports WRC ambassador, is clearly the most popular WRC2 car in the game. That goes for both the WRC2 and Rally 2 categories.
2017-2021: Even Stevens
The 2017-2021 WRC Champion car class in EA Sports WRC features a pair of mind-blowingly fast racers. The VW Polo is essentially a concept car that never got to race following the swift withdrawal from the series of the German brand. The Ford Fiesta was an underdog throughout its time in the series, in the shadow of faster racers. In the game, very few leaderboards see a swing to one car or the other. Somehow these weapons of the sport appear to offer relatively level performance.
Most Popular Rally 4 Car
Most frequently used in National rally championships, the Rally 4 class is one most rally fans will see on their trips to events. Very little distinguishes these models from their mass-market counterparts, making them relatively affordable.
In EA Sports WRC, there is not as much diversity as one would expect for Rally 4. With that in mind, there is a clear favourite judging by leaderboards. The Peugeot 208 R4 is the most prominent player in the class, and is also the most modern. One would expect it to be the easiest car to drive of the bunch.
McRae Leads NR4
Ever since Codemasters’ first rally games, the studio has had close ties with legendary rally driver, Colin McRae. Be it my using his name as game titles, by featuring his old co-driver in the Dirt Rally series or now by including his own car, the McRae R4.
Happily enough, this unknown rally car is seemingly very popular EA Sports WRC. It features in the NR4 category alongside modern saloons from Mitsubishi and Subaru. One must assume that the low weight of this buggy-like creation helps it navigate stages faster than the four-wheel-drive boats from Japan.
Peugeot Popular in S2000
Back in its day, the Super 2000 class was very popular in rallying. Both in the WRC and on the national scene, these 2-litre monsters sent rally fans into a daze. It was a very competitive class in its day as well, with many manufacturers joining the action.
In EA Sports WRC, the class certainly has a most popular car; the Peugeot 207. However, one can argue that on many stages, the Fiat Punto Abarth also shows itself to be competitive. Unfortunately, the Vauxhall Corsa is very much the underdog here judging by the leader boards.
1997-2011: Variety
In EA Sports WRC, one can race a variety of WRC winning racers from the 2000s. In fact, a whole category dedicated to cars from 1997 to 2011 is full of some of the most recognisable models of the era. From Loeb’s Citroëns to mighty Subaru models and the golden era of Ford. This class features something for everyone. Much like the other championship-winning car class, this category does not really have a most popular model. The Xsara, C4, 1998 Subaru all sit towards the top of the standings.
Wide open S1600
Another fairly competitive class is the S1600 category. The addition to EA Sports WRC of this particular collection of cars was a popular choice upon the release of the game’s car list. With high-revving front-wheel-drive weapons such as the Clio and Ford Puma, it is a fun category that fans will recognise from both rallying and rally cross. In fact, this is a car class that saw great crossover to the circuit racing discipline.
There is no real top dog in this class. The Clio does appear to be popular on tarmac. However, the Puma and C2 are hot on its heals and come out on top on gravel.
Peugeot 306 Maxi: Popular in EA Sports WRC
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The Super 1600 cars are most definitely popular FWD racers. But the most popular and impressive FWD rally cars of all time must be the F2 Kit cars of the early-2000s. These monsters would easily defeat the four-wheel-drive racers on tarmac, making for exciting events in Spain and France.
The Peugeot 306 Maxi was arguably the most successful kit car of its time, and that translates to the EA Sports WRC leader boards. Whilst the Vauxhall Astra is the people’s winner, the Peugeot 306 Maxi will give the people a win.
Drive Lancia in Group A
To many fans growing up in the 1990’s, Group A was the jaw-dropping category that fuelled their passion for rallying. Fire breathing monsters coated in shells akin to everyday cars, these were the definition of “win on Sunday, sell on Monday.”
At the time, the fierce rivalry was between Lancia with its Delta HF Integrale and Subaru with the Impreza. In EA Sports WRC, that is still the case with the two being the most popular on leader boards. Whilst on tarmac the battle is fairly even, the Lancia takes the crown on loose surfaces. For a full championship, it seems the Lancia is the car to take.
Audi Quattro in Group B?
Whilst Group A was eye-catching in the 1990’s, Group B is a category that most fans wish could return. Or at least, many fans wish they could revisit the Group B age. Some of the fastest cars to ever compete in the WRC, full of noise, danger and speed. One of the most memorable cars of the era was the Audi Quattro S1, and it certainly features heavily at the top of leaderboards, especially on tarmac. For gravel and snow stages however, it drops considerably. The class is most definitely wide open.
That being said, the category is broken down to 4WD and RWD. In the RWD class, the Lancia 037 is the popularity contest’s clear winner. One must point out that on gravel, the times for all cars get much closer, meaning either class is fairly open.
Drive Ford Escort in H3
Historic rallying was a major part of the Dirt Rally series. Arguably it still is today in EA Sports WRC, though the main focus is obviously on the World Rally cars. The fastest Historic class is H3, made up of rear-wheel drive saloons and sportscars.
Most real world historic rallies see countless Mk2 Escorts, and the same is true in EA Sports WRC. The car is by far the most popular at the top of the times thanks to its driveability. It does not have the power of other cars, but getting to the end of each stage is less challenging.
H2 class in EA Sports WRC
Whilst H3 has the speed, H2 is a more diverse and entertaining category for many. It features both FWD and RWD models in EA Sports WRC, with cars being far more controllable. Far from slow however, they offer fantastic racing experiences, especially on loose surfaces. Both versions of the class are wide open with leader boards showing a collection of models from Escorts to Golfs, Alpines to Peugeots. Choose anything here and you can be fast it seems.
Vauxhall Nova: the H1 Sweetheart
The slowest class of them all, and one that is unlikely to attract much attention in EA Sports WRC is H1. This category lost the Citroën DS from its Dirt Rally 2.0 roster, instead gaining the Vauxhall Nova.
The leaderboards suggest that this lightweight hatchback out-races the older Mini and Lancia also available in the class by quite some margin. It is certainly a shame to see the 1960’s models paired up with this more modern family runabout. However, if you want to compete without a handicap, the Nova is the car you want.
What is your favourite car in EA Sports WRC? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
