Beginner’s Guide to Starting the Gran Turismo Series

The Gran Turismo series is widely regarded as the gold standard for realistic racing simulation games. Developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, it has been delivering authentic driving experiences since 1997, with over 90 million copies sold across the franchise. Unlike arcade-style racers, Gran Turismo emphasizes realistic car physics, detailed vehicle models, accurate tracks, and progression through licenses and events. There is no overarching story or campaign narrative to follow – each game is a standalone collection of cars, tracks, and driving challenges.

In December 2025, the series is thriving with Gran Turismo 7 (GT7) still receiving regular free updates and the highly anticipated Gran Turismo 7 update for the PlayStation 5 Pro (2025) bringing enhanced graphical fidelity. This guide is designed for complete beginners and will help you choose your entry point, understand the core gameplay, and get started with confidence. Some information on this page can be inaccurate due to writing mistakes or misunderstanding, so recheck before playing.

Why Start Gran Turismo? The Appeal for New Players

Gran Turismo stands out for several reasons:

• Realism without frustration – Realistic handling and damage, but with forgiving assists (traction control, ABS, stability management) that can be turned off as you improve.
• Huge variety – Hundreds of cars (from classic road cars to modern hypercars and race prototypes) and dozens of real-world and fictional tracks.
• Progression system – Earn credits by racing, buy and tune cars, unlock new events and licenses – satisfying sense of achievement.
• No time pressure – Play at your own pace; no live-service grind or battle pass required.
• Accessible difficulty – Beginner-friendly settings and a built-in driving school.
• Long-term value – One purchase offers 50–200+ hours of content, with regular free car/track additions.
• Cross-platform play – GT7 supports PS4/PS5 cross-progression and online multiplayer.

In 2025, GT7 remains the most active and supported entry, regularly topping PlayStation Store charts and offering the largest online community.

Recommended Starting Point in 2025

Game	Release	Platforms	Playtime (Main Content)	Best For	Notes
Gran Turismo 7	2022 (ongoing updates)	PS4, PS5, PS5 Pro	40–150+ hours	Most new players	Current flagship, most cars & tracks, active online, free updates
Gran Turismo Sport	2017	PS4	30–80 hours	Budget option	Still has active Sport Mode races, good graphics
Gran Turismo 6	2013	PS3	40–100 hours	Retro fans	Requires PS3 hardware or emulation
Gran Turismo 5	2010	PS3	50–120 hours	Classic car collectors	Iconic but dated controls
Gran Turismo 4	2004	PS2	60–200+ hours	Pure nostalgia	Available via PS2 emulation

Recommended for 99% of beginners in 2025: Gran Turismo 7
It combines the best of the series (huge car list, photorealistic graphics, excellent physics) with modern features (PS5 haptics, ray-tracing, cross-progression) and continuous free content updates.

Core Gameplay Elements You’ll Encounter

1. Driving & Physics

• Realistic weight transfer, tire grip, and braking feel.
• Driving assists (ABS, traction control, stability) can be turned on/off.
• Damage is cosmetic (visual scratches, dents) – no mechanical failure.
• PS5 DualSense controller: adaptive triggers (brake pedal resistance), haptic feedback (road surface, engine rumble).

2. Progression & Credits

• Earn credits by completing races, licenses, missions, and daily workouts.
• Buy cars in the Used Car Dealership (rotates daily), Brand Central (new cars), or Legend Cars (classic/rare models).
• Tune cars: change tires, suspension, aero, power upgrades.

3. Licenses & Driving School

• Compulsory license tests teach essential skills (braking points, racing lines, cornering).
• Pass all licenses (A to S) to unlock more events and cars.

4. Race Types

• Circuit races (single/multi-lap)
• Time trials
• Drift trials
• Fuel & tire management races
• Custom races (choose car class, weather, time of day)

5. Sport Mode (Competitive Online)

• Daily races (fixed car/track combos)
• Championship series
• Manufacturer & Nations Cup events
• Clean racing rewarded, penalties for collisions

6. GT Café & Menu Books

• Single-player campaign structure – complete “Menu Books” (collections of races) to unlock new cars and events.
• Introduced in GT7 – gives gentle structure to the huge car roster.

7. Scapes & Photo Mode

• Photograph cars in real-world locations (Paris, Tokyo, etc.) with cinematic effects.
• Popular for sharing on social media.

Beginner Tips: Get Started Quickly & Have Fun

1. Start with Driving Assists On
   Turn on ABS, traction control, and stability management. Turn them off gradually as you gain confidence.
2. Complete the Circuit Experience & Licenses First
   These are the best tutorials. They teach braking points, racing lines, and car control.
3. Focus on Menu Books in Single-Player
   Follow the GT Café Menu Books – they guide you through different car categories and unlock new events.
4. Buy Cheap Cars First
   Start with Gr.3 or Gr.4 road cars – they’re affordable and fun to tune.
5. Use the Used Car Dealership
   Check it daily – great deals on cars that are normally expensive.
6. Tune Conservatively at First
   Start with sports tires and basic suspension. Avoid maxing power until you can control the car.
7. Try Daily Races in Sport Mode
   Even as a beginner – they’re fixed car/track combos and teach you different disciplines.
8. Experiment with Different Cars
   Try front-wheel, rear-wheel, and all-wheel-drive cars to find what you like.
9. Use Rewind & Practice Mode
   GT7 lets you rewind crashes and has a dedicated practice mode.
10. Join the Community
    r/granturismo, GTPlanet forums, and the in-game Café have great beginner guides and tuning sheets.

Recommended Progression Path in GT7 (2025)

1. Complete Circuit Experience (all tracks)
2. Finish all Licenses (start with B, then A, then International A/S)
3. Work through Menu Books 1–10 in order
4. Try Daily Races (Sport Mode) once you have a few cars
5. Experiment with tuning & custom races
6. Explore Scapes & Photo Mode for fun

Final Thoughts: Why Gran Turismo is Worth Your Time

Gran Turismo offers a rare combination: realistic driving that feels rewarding to master, a huge variety of cars and tracks, and a relaxed pace that lets you enjoy the experience at your own speed. Unlike many racing games that rely on arcade handling or constant online pressure, GT lets you choose your own path: casual coffee-run laps, serious license grinding, or competitive online racing.

Start with Gran Turismo 7 – it’s the most complete, visually stunning, and actively supported entry in the series. If you enjoy it, you can always go back to the classics via the Trilogy remaster or even older titles through emulation.

Your first lap awaits. Turn the ignition, feel the wheel, and enjoy the drive.