The best cars in Need for Speed ​​Underground 2: rankings for career progression and drifting

Need for Speed Underground 2 (2004) remains a cult race even 20 years later - thanks to the atmosphere of street racing, pumping up cars and the legendary soundtrack. But the main question for beginners and veterans: which car to chooseto quickly level up, win all tournaments and get the most out of drifting?

In this article we will analyze top 5 best cars in Underground 2 taking into account:

• 🏆 Career permeability (speed, control, winning tournaments)
• 💨 Drifting and tuning (setting bedding, power/weight balance)
• 💰 Cost and Availability (when opens, price of upgrades)
• 🎯 Unique chips (for example, rotary engine RX-7 or rear wheel drive 240SX)

All data is based on testing in the current version of the game (including patches and mods), as well as the experience of completing it on maximum difficulty. If you are looking for a car for 100% career completion without glitches and bugs, this guide will help you avoid common mistakes when choosing.

1. Nissan 240SX (S13) - the king of drifting and tuning

If you need a car that glides perfectly in turns and allows you to experiment with visual tuning, Nissan 240SX (in the game it's just 240SX) is the best choice. This rear-wheel drive coupe opens early in your career (after defeating Sammy) and immediately shows his potential:

• 🔧 Light weight (1,200 kg) + rear wheel drive = perfect balance for drifting.
• 💰 Cheap pumping: engine KA24DE responds well to upgrades even at early levels.
• 🎨 Maximum visual tuning: wide arches, spoilers, neon - 240SX looks aggressive in any style.
• ⚡ Versatility: suitable for Circuit, Drag and Drift tournaments.

The main disadvantage is weak top speed at stock (up to 220 km/h), but this can be corrected by installing a turbine Stage 3 and setting gear ratios. For drifting we recommend:

⚠️ Attention: Do not install too stiff springs (Stiff) on 240SX - the car will become uncontrollable on bumps. Optimal: Sport pendant + Race shock absorbers.

Parameter	Stock	After full pumping
Power (hp)	155	520+
Weight (kg)	1 200	1,050 (with lightweight parts)
Max. speed (km/h)	220	280+
Full upgrade cost	—	$120 000

2. Mazda RX-7 (FD3S) - a rotary monster for experienced players

Mazda RX-7 - the most technically complex car in Underground 2, but when configured correctly it becomes invincible in tournaments Circuit and Sprint. Its main feature is rotary engine (13B-REW) which:

• 🔥 Gives high revs (up to 9,000 rpm) and a sharp pickup after 5,000 rpm.
• ⚠️ Requires fine-tuning gears — if selected incorrectly, the box “breaks” at high speeds.
• 💸 Expensive in pumping: turbine Stage 3 + rotary upgrades will cost $150 000+.

RX-7 opens later than other machines (after defeating Dave), but worth the money. For maximum efficiency:

1. Install Race gearbox with short ratios.
2. Use Sport suspension for better handling at high speeds.
3. Don't skimp on brakes - RX-7 slows down worse 240SX due to weight distribution.

Why does the RX-7 lose at drifting?

The rotary engine produces power peaks in a narrow rpm range, making throttle control difficult in corners. Better suited for drifting 240SX or Supra with linear return.

3. Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX - the best balance for beginners

If you are just starting to play Underground 2, Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX — optimal choice. This machine:

• 🚗 Has four-wheel drive, which makes it easier to control on slippery roads.
• 💰 Cheaper to upgradethan RX-7 or Supra (full upgrade ~$100,000).
• 🏁 Shows itself well in Drag and Street X races thanks to fast acceleration.

The main disadvantage is average top speed (even after tuning it rarely exceeds 270 km/h). But Eclipse forgives mistakes in control, which is critical for new players.

⚠️ Attention: Don't bet on Eclipse wheels too wide (+20mm or more) - this will worsen handling on wet roads.

Install a Stage 2 turbine|

Use Sport suspension|

Bleed the brakes to Race|

Set up gear ratios for Drag (short 1-2 gears)|-->

4. Toyota Supra (MK4) - a car for high-speed races

Toyota Supra (in the game it's just Supra) is net power. With her straight six 2JZ-GTE and it becomes rear-wheel drive invincible in Drag and Sprint after full pumping. Pros:

• 💪 Best overclocking among all cars in the game (0–100 km/h in 3.5 seconds with a turbine Stage 3).
• 🏎️ Stability at high speeds (maximum speed - 300+ km/h).
• 🔧 Easy setup: It is enough to pump the engine and gearbox to win most races.

Cons:

• 💰 Darling: a complete upgrade will cost $180 000+.
• 🔄 Difficult to control in drift due to the long wheelbase and powerful engine.

Advice: if you choose Supra for a career, level it up first for Drag, and then go to Circuit. This will allow you to quickly earn money for upgrades.

5. Honda Civic Si (EK) - budget option for drifting

Honda Civic Si - the most light and maneuverable car in Underground 2, but with serious limitations. Its advantages:

• 💨 Excellent handling thanks to front-wheel drive and short wheelbase.
• 💰 Cheapest to upgrade (full upgrade ~$80,000).
• 🎯 Ideal for Drift in the early stages (easy to control drift).

But there are also disadvantages:

• 🐢 Weak top speed (even after tuning it rarely exceeds 250 km/h).
• 🚫 Not suitable for Drag and Circuit at high difficulty levels.

Civic Si worth choosing if you need a car for drift training or going through the beginning of a career. She is rather weak for final tournaments.

Comparison of the best cars: which one to choose?

To simplify the choice, we have compiled a table comparing key parameters:

car	Best race type	Difficulty of control	Cost of pumping	Recommendation
Nissan 240SX	Drift, Circuit	Average	$120 000	Best balance for most players
Mazda RX-7	Circuit, Sprint	High	$150 000+	For experienced players ready to customize
Mitsubishi Eclipse	Drag, Street X	Low	$100 000	Ideal for beginners
Toyota Supra	Drag, Sprint	Average	$180 000+	For speed races and final tournaments
Honda Civic Si	Drift	Low	$80 000	Budget option to start a career

If you need one car for your entire career, choose Nissan 240SX — it is universal and forgives mistakes. Better for high speed racing Supra, and for drifting on front wheel drive - Civic Si.

How to pump up a car: step-by-step guide

Regardless of the choice of car, there is general pumping rulesthat will help save money and time:

1. Upgrade the engine first:
   • 🔧 Turbine Stage 1 → Stage 2 → Stage 3 (don't skip steps!).
   • 🔥 Increase Redline (maximum speed) for rotary engines (RX-7).
2. Suspension tuning:
   • 🚗 For drifting: Sport springs + Race shock absorbers.
   • 🏁 For speed races: Race suspension + rigid stabilizers.

Don't forget about the brakes:

• ⚠️ RX-7 and Supra require Race brakes - otherwise you won’t win Circuit.

Important nuance: do not pump the car "blindly". For example, installation of a turbine Stage 3 on Civic Si will not give an increase in speed due to engine limitations. It's better to improve first Intake, Exhaust and ECU.

Install turbine Stage 1|

Upgrade Intake and Exhaust to Level 3|

Adjust gear ratios for the type of race|

Upgrade brakes to Sport/Race|

Balance weight (remove rear seat, install carbon hood)|-->

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cars in NFS Underground 2

🔹 Which car is the easiest to upgrade for 100% completion?

Nissan 240SX — it opens early, is cheap to upgrade and is suitable for all types of races. Alternative - Mitsubishi Eclipse for beginners.

🔹 Why does my RX-7 lose in Drag even though it has 600+ hp?

The problem is gear settings. Rotary engine RX-7 requires short gears (1-2 speeds) for quick acceleration. Try setting the box in the menu Performance → Drivetrain.

🔹 Is it possible to win a career on a Honda Civic Si?

Technically yes, but it will be difficult. Civic Si loses in speed races (Drag, Sprint) at high levels. Better change to 240SX or Eclipse after 50% completion.

🔹 Which car is the fastest in the game?

Leads in maximum speed Toyota Supra (300+ km/h after full bleeding). But in Drag races over short distances can win RX-7 due to better acceleration.

🔹Where can I get money for tuning at the beginning of the game?

Focus on Drift and Street X tournaments - they give more money than Circuit in the early stages. Also sell unnecessary parts in the menu Quick Sell.