Is CarX Drift Racing 3 The Best Drifting Game Right Now?

Soft-body damage and plenty of other awesome features make CarX Drift Racing 3 stand out, but can it truly compete with the best drifting games?

When CarX Drift Racing 3 launched on mobile devices, few expected it to stand a chance of competing against the best drifting games. Yet here we are, discussing whether a mobile game can go head-to-head with the top games out there after several fans asked us for a comparison.

First, let’s be realistic – for now, it’s still a mobile-only game with the expected limitations.

Also, you’ll need an expensive, high-end mobile with around 12GB RAM to run it smoothly on the best settings. We don’t recommend rushing out to spend four figures on the latest iPhone for it, either!

With that said, we feel there are a few unique features that make CDR3 stand out from the competition.

Firstly, the physics are great, sitting somewhere between Assetto Corsa’s hardcore simulation and Forza Horizon’s simpler, fun approach to sliding.

However, the best feature for us is the damage system (which is properly impressive), offering an experience not too far off dedicated games such as BeamNG.drive or Wreckfest.

At the same time, the tuning system also stands its ground against the very best drifting games on the market.

If you think we’re being ridiculous, don’t worry – we’re not suggesting a mobile game will truly replace your favorite PC or console drift sim (well, not until it arrives on those devices, anyway!)

With that in mind, let’s take an honest, unbiased look at how CarX Drift Racing 3 truly compares to the most popular drifting games, looking at its strengths and weaknesses.

Physics & Handling

Let’s start with what matters most in any drifting game – how it actually feels to drive.

As we mentioned, the CarX Drift Racing 3 drifting physics system sits comfortably between simulation and arcade, offering a more realistic feel than Forza Horizon’s ‘floaty’ vibes while easier to get the hang of than hardcore sims like Assetto Corsa.

It has to be said that using a touchscreen isn’t ideal for precise drift control (obviously). Thankfully, you can easily pair a PS5 DualSense, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch Pro controller. Simply connect it to your phone via Bluetooth, and you’re good to go.

Once you’re using the game as intended, it really shows its potential. It recognizes subtle steering inputs and throttle control and lets you feel the weight transfer much better. The in-game challenges do a great job of teaching you how to master car control further.

The new Road 3.0 technology means you’ll feel every bump, and the surface variation constantly affects your grip levels.

The tire system is particularly impressive, with the premium tires offering far superior traction. You can even run different compounds on the front and rear axles if you don’t want to always fork out for the premium tires.

Another great aspect is that you can also feel the grip gradually degrading before the tires need changing. In these regards, it’s far more impressive than you’d typically expect from a mobile game.

However, there are some frustrations. We’ve found that the frame rate can drop at the worst possible moments, even on flagship phones. The campaign’s difficulty spike can also feel unfair until you’ve properly tuned your car, so be sure to install the upgrades as you go.

Damage System

Yeah, this again! But hear us out – the damage modeling is where things get really interesting.

While most drifting (or racing) games treat a 200mph impact like a minor scratch (if you’re lucky, maybe a dent or two), CarX’s damage physics are genuinely impressive. Panels deform realistically, bumpers hang loose before falling off and remaining on the ground, and the glass shatters on impact.

Beyond cosmetic damage, you’ll also need to monitor your car’s overall condition. Alongside the damage, longer sessions will also wear down mechanical components like your engine and transmission, and the repairs aren’t cheap unless you want to wait, which also takes quite a while.

Regular maintenance is essential, too, and we feel the parts wear down way too fast and seem to need ‘repairing’ too frequently, which can become a little tedious, especially since you can only do one car at a time.

While you can get instant repairs to keep your ride looking pristine in Free Roam mode, this will be reset when you head back to the main menu to deal with the carnage of your latest hooning session.

While the damage is truly awesome, all the eye candy comes at a cost. The more damage your car takes, the harder your device has to work. We’ve found that even top-end phones can struggle when more than one damaged car is on the screen, leading to more frustrating frame drops during tandem battles – just when you don’t want them!

Upgrades & Tuning

If you’ve played any CarX game before, you’ll know the tuning system is up there with the best. This latest version takes things even further, offering an impressive range of adjustments that genuinely affect your car’s handling.

From suspension geometry to gear ratios, tire compounds to differential settings right the way through to full engine swaps – there’s plenty to tweak.

It’s not quite as deep as Assetto Corsa’s setup options, but it’s far more in-depth than you’d expect from a mobile game, and it certainly outperforms most console or PC alternatives in this regard. Each adjustment makes a noticeable difference to your car’s behavior, and finding the perfect setup for your driving style is rewarding.

That said, the learning curve of tuning will likely be steep and frustrating for beginners. The game doesn’t do a great job of explaining what each setting does, either, so expect plenty of trial and error.

If you’re starting out with drift games, you might prefer something simpler like Drift Hunters MAX. It’s a free browser game that’s also playable on mobiles but with easy-to-understand tuning options and nothing to install.

In CDR3, you’ll also need to grind for credits and fork out a ridiculous amount of money or watch ads to unlock the best parts. These can already feel like a chore, but you’ll also need to prepare for a lot of waiting around for upgrades and repairs.

Tracks & Free Roam

The track selection doesn’t disappoint, ranging from touge mountain passes to iconic real-world locations like the Nürburgring and the entire Ebisu Complex. Each location has its own character, challenges, and different surface types, which keep things interesting.

While it doesn’t match Forza Horizon 5’s massive open world or Drift Hunters MAX’s traffic-filled streets, plenty of variation keeps you entertained, and the layouts are well-designed for tandem battles and Top32 competitions.

The free-roam mode lets you explore and practice beyond the tracks without the pressure of scoring or competition, though they don’t quite offer the same “go anywhere” freedom as Horizon’s Mexico.

It has to be said that each location looks fantastic for a mobile game, especially with the graphics cranked up – though this is also where those performance issues we mentioned earlier can become apparent.

Online Features

It’s important to note that CarX Drift Racing 3’s online mode doesn’t deliver real-time multiplayer (yeah, we’re disappointed, too!) While there are ‘online’ modes, you only get to compete against ghost data in tandem battles and Top32 competitions.

While it’s disappointing for those expecting real-time multiplayer drifting like in Forza Horizon 5 or Assetto Corsa, at least you don’t have lag to worry about.

The tandem and Top32 competitions are still challenging and competitive, with leaderboards pushing you to perfect your runs.

Price & Monetization

CarX Drift Racing 3 can be downloaded completely free on the App Store for iPhones or the Google Play Store for Android. However, unlike the totally free approach of other games, such as Drift Hunters MAX, you can watch ads to help speed up your progress.

However, there’s also premium content on offer if you’d rather pay than grind away, but the pricing is where things can get a little eye-watering.

Prices will vary depending on your region, but when buying in British pounds (GBP), top-end engines cost £8.49. At the same time, the Mustang (admittedly with plenty of pre-installed upgrades) is £15.99 – potentially worth considering if you don’t fancy the grind.

Things escalate quite quickly, though, with the most expensive coin package in the store setting you back a bonkers £61.99 – nearly $80 USD! Needless to say, I’m not too tempted to fork out that kind of cash for upgrades in a mobile game, and I’d rather save my money for the soon-to-be-released console version.

Final Verdict

CarX Drift Racing 3 is genuinely impressive for a mobile game. The physics are fantastic, the damage modeling sets new standards, and the depth of the tuning system rivals some of the best drifting games out there. For a free game, it offers incredible value, assuming you don’t mind the gradual grind.

However, let’s keep perspective – it’s still a mobile game, and staring at a tiny screen doesn’t offer the same refined experience as a big-screen TV on a console or a high-spec PC with a decent screen or VR setup.

It could also benefit from some optimization, especially for those who don’t have the latest devices. Performance issues have been frustrating on anything but the best devices, even on the lower settings.

For those of you who are used to Forza Horizon’s story mode, the game’s depth may feel a little shallow, especially given the current lack of real-time online multiplayer.

CarX Technologies has confirmed that PC and console versions will be arriving, hopefully sometime in 2025. If they can build upon this solid foundation while addressing the mobile version’s limitations, CDR3 has the potential to rival the best drifting games in its sector while setting new benchmarks with the unique aspects we’ve discussed above.

For now, though, if you’ve got a decent phone and some patience for the grind (or real-world cash to burn!), CarX Drift Racing 3 offers a great glimpse of what’s to come. While it’s not the best drifting game overall, we feel it’s the best mobile drifting game right now.

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