Fast cars
Sports coupes suit timed drives and escapes along main roads, but low durability punishes head-on crashes and gang gunfire.
Vehicles in GTA III: the right car decides the mission.
Top speed is not the only important property. In Liberty City, size, durability, drivetrain and the ability to survive gunfire also matter.
Vehicles in pictures
Original renders without copied game maps or textures
An early-2000s city fleet
The gallery compares basic vehicle roles: coupe speed, saloon balance, compact agility and the durability of heavy service vehicles.
Original GTA HUB render · not a screenshot or an exact game map.How to choose a vehicle
Saloons and taxis
Balanced cars offer predictable handling, appear throughout the city and are durable enough for ordinary missions.
Service vehicles
Police, fire and ambulance vehicles open their own side activities, so they also affect the route to 100%.
Heavy vehicles
Lorries withstand impacts and push traffic aside, but turn poorly and lose time when accelerating.
Driving in GTA III
GTA III was the first 3D GTA, and vehicles are central to that change: every car has a different weight, acceleration and durability, and you feel the difference in every chase through Liberty City's narrow streets. Fast sports cars such as the Banshee or Stinger win on a straight, but will hit a fence on a bend sooner than a heavier saloon.
One distinctive feature is what the game lacks: GTA III has no motorcycles or proper aeroplanes. The only aircraft, the Dodo, has clipped wings, and keeping it in the air is a challenge in itself. Motorcycles and free flight did not arrive until Vice City.
Cars also count towards 100% completion: import and export lists reward you with money for delivering selected vehicles. Keep track of the list during normal play and you will not have to search the entire city for the last car later.
Frequently asked questions
Are there motorcycles in GTA III?
No. GTA III has no motorcycles — they did not appear until Vice City.
Can you fly in GTA III?
Only to a limited extent. The only aeroplane, the Dodo, has clipped wings, so although it can leave the ground, keeping it in the air is very difficult.
What is the best car for escaping in GTA III?
A fast sports car such as the Banshee wins on a straight, but on narrow streets a heavier, more durable car that can withstand hitting a police roadblock is often more useful.