How to Drift in GTA 5: Complete Guide
Grand Theft Auto 5 is an open-world action game developed by Rockstar Games. Released in 2013, it remains one of the most played games across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox to this day due to the amount of activities and content that players can do.
Drifting is one of those activities, but it's not the easiest to pull off since the game's handling isn't built around it. Getting it right takes the correct technique, the right car setup, and some practice. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know to start drifting in GTA 5, from the basic controls to the best cars and builds for it.
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Article Summary
Drifting in GTA 5 requires breaking rear traction, counter-steering to hold the angle, and managing throttle to maintain the slide
Controller is easier due to analog input, use the handbrake to initiate, then counter-steer and modulate throttle
Keyboard drifting requires tapping inputs rather than holding them to avoid spinning out
Low-grip tires are the most important upgrade as they reduce rear traction and make sliding easier
Pair them with Lowered or Street suspension and max engine upgrades for the best drift setup
Avoid Sport Tires as they add grip and work against drifting
The best cars for drifting are rear-wheel drive with good power-to-weight ratios, like the Annis Euros, Declasse Drift Tampa, and Declasse Drift Yosemite
How to Drift in GTA 5
Drifting in GTA 5 comes down to breaking rear traction while keeping the car under control. The basic idea is to enter a corner with enough speed, cut the steering, and use the handbrake or throttle to kick the rear out. From there, counter-steer to hold the angle and keep the drift going.
The technique stays the same regardless of your setup, but the inputs differ depending on whether you're on a controller or keyboard.
Controller
The controller gives you analog input, which makes drifting significantly easier since you can fine-tune your steering and throttle gradually.
Approach a corner at moderate speed. As you turn in, tap the handbrake (RB on Xbox / R1 on PlayStation) to break the rear traction. Once the rear steps out, counter-steer in the opposite direction while modulating the throttle to maintain the slide. Too much throttle and you spin out, too little and the drift dies.
Keyboard
Keyboard drifting is harder because inputs are binary, so you have less control over the slide. Approach the corner and tap the handbrake (Space by default) as you steer into the turn. The moment the rear kicks out, quickly tap the opposite steering key to counter-steer. The key here is tapping rather than holding, since holding a key fully locks the input and causes a spin.
How to Build a Drift Car
Head to Los Santos Customs and start with the tires. Equip Low Grip Tires, which are specifically designed to reduce rear traction and make sliding easier. For suspension, go with Lowered or Street suspension to keep the car stable mid-drift. On the engine side, a Race Transmission and max engine upgrades help you maintain speed through the slide without losing momentum.
Turbo is optional but recommended if the car supports it. Avoid Sport tires as they add grip and work against you. Brakes matter less for drifting, but upgrading them doesn't hurt.
Also Read: How to Buy Ammo in GTA 5: Complete Guide
Best Cars for Drifting in GTA 5
Not every car in GTA 5 drifts well. Some have handling that's too stiff, and others don't have enough power to hold a slide. The cars that work best are rear-wheel drive with good power-to-weight ratios, giving you enough grunt to break traction without spinning out immediately.
A few standouts are the Annis Euros and the dedicated drift variants like the Declasse Drift Tampa and the Declasse Drift Yosemite. These were built with drifting in mind and respond well to the Low Grip Tire setup. For a full breakdown of the best options, check out this list of the best drifting cars in GTA 5.
Also Read: How to Play Your Own Music in GTA 5 (PC, PS, & Xbox)
Final Words
Drifting in GTA 5 takes some getting used to, but once you have the right car, the right build, and the technique down, it clicks pretty fast. Start with a dedicated drift car, get the Low Grip Tires on, and practice the counter-steer timing. Controller makes it easier, but keyboard works too with enough reps.
“ Mustafa Atteya has been writing about gaming and esports since 2023, specializing in competitive game content and player improvement guides. At 24, he brings both hands-on gaming experience and professional SEO writing expertise to the GameBoost team.”
