The Best Rocket League Car in 2022 – Ranked 1-5
Well, gang. It’s here. 2021. New year, all that stuff. With all the changes, you need to be updated on your gaming stuff, including the best Rocket League car to use in 2021! Ready to delve in on the hottest new vehicles to use? Well, wait no longer!
One important thing to note is that while all the cars are similar, they have varying hitbox sizes, turn radiuses, power, ball control etc. These seemingly small differences affect the playstyle significantly.
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What is the Best Rocket League Car in 2022?
Now, here’s a clarifying statement I need to make: everyone has different standards, so I didn’t just snap my fingers and come up with my own personal favorites because that would be, as we say, a jerky thing to do. Instead, I did the responsible thing—I scoured the fanbase, used studies, data, personal experience, and wrapped it all up here so you don’t have to do the legwork.
So, before we go into more detail, here they are; ranked as the top five best Rocket League cars in 2021 from first to fifth.
- Octane
- Dominus
- Breakout
- Mantis
- Merc
1. Octane
Okay, so here’s the thing: the Octane is top dog. Always. Here’s a tip—if anyone ever asks you what the most popular car for rocket league is, it’s the Octane. The best car of Rocket League 2019? The Octane. Best car of Rocket League 2020? Octane. Best car of Rocket League 2021? Octane. It’s simply the best car because of its design: it’s that rare combination of being easy enough to use that an amateur could use it and versatile enough that many pros use it.
Whether it’s aerials, dribbles, powerful shots or something else, this car will serve you very well. Much of Octane’s success is derived from the elusive “feel” of the car. The players who swear by it often state just how smooth, natural and realistic it feels to handle Octane in all aspects of the game. Mechanically, Octane type excels at aerial power shots. It’s easy to control, the hitbox size is almost perfect, it hits hard, and most importantly, it provides the level of comfort and consistency required in the highest echelons of a competitive ecosystem. This is why 1v1 mode is literally Octane swamp.
It feels like a little race car when you drive it, and just comes across as speedy and fun, but here’s the one, meager drawback—it’s tiny. It’s not the smallest car in the game, but it’s small enough that you might have to get used to it, because it’s not very long. That being said, if you decide to hone in on only a single car, I’d recommend the Octane because it gives plenty of room to grow. It’s been the champ for years and there aren’t any signs of it going out of popularity anytime soon.
2. Dominus
Another one of the fan favorites is the Dominus. I’d heartily recommend this car, as it’s the one I used for years. It excels when you simply want to hit the ball – and hit it hard. It’s great for offense and although not as maneuverable as our friend the Octane, it’s a great choice that you can always trust. Bonus points—it looks cool with most skins and wheels, probably because it looks like a supercar. Despite not being as easy to maneuver, it’s got (I believe) a leg up on the Octane because it’s a lot easier to use. The Octane has such a small hitbox, but the Dominus is a lot more user-friendly for many players who prefer to have a bigger surface area.
It might be due to individual experience, but Dominus feels less handicapped in 50-50 situations. You will still regularly lose the duels with Octanes, but near-misses should be less prevalent. Also, this car is quite tolerant of a bit rougher handling, so in those nerve-wracking moments when you are surviving the siege of your goal, you will also be less prone to mechanical errors.
3. Breakout
If don’t mind being successful while driving an ugly car, Breakout might be for you. While it made the list of the best Rocket League cars for 2021, it will not make any lists for the prettiest looking thing, because it looks like it escaped Minecraft. Unlike most other cars, it’s very blocky and out of place. That said, it deserves a spot on here because it is a great car. Its blocky appearance contributes to an accurate shot, easier dribbling and a smooth driving. It may not be winning any beauty contests, but give Breakout a shot if you want something quality to use.
4. Mantis
The Mantis, one of my personal favorites, is a short, flat car, like if you tossed some wheels on a pancake. However, it is a cool-looking pancake, and a lot of different looks can be amazing on it. It is a fantastic choice beyond its appearance because its flat, wide base can excel in the right hands and with the right play style. It’s very mobile and can deliver excellent ball handling, but here’s a warning: it is much better on offense than on defense. I’ve run this car quite a bit, and from me to you, I’d recommend it without question for offense, but defensive plays can be tricky.
5. Merc
Ah, yes. The Merc. The ice block. If you aren’t familiar with what it looks like, take a gander at some pics. It is a gigantic, hefty car that feels surprisingly comfortable to drive. Also, its enormous size makes everything easier. When you’re trying to hit something with the Merc, it’s basically steering in the general direction of the ball because you will hit something. That being said, while it is great at strength and size, it falls short on handling and boosting, which is why it’s number 5 on the list.
What car should I use?
- Any of them. This is a list of the best rocket league cars in 2021. Any of them are fantastic, or they wouldn’t have made this list.
- Use your play style. Each play to different strengths. Find yours.
- Don’t be afraid to practice. Some of the best cars I’ve had felt weird at first, but my play level increased after I figured them out.
Conclusion – Picking the Best Rocket League Car
And there we go—the top five best rocket league cars in 2021! Is it possible that tomorrow, a new crate could pop out and a new great car could come out? Sure. Anything’s possible, but I want to leave you with this: any of the cars on this list are great in the right hands. Some play better to different styles, and that’s fine. However, these five are considered largely the best cars in the game today and for the foreseeable future.
Until next time, get out there, read some more Rocket League articles, and have some fun!