Last Update on December 26, 2025
For decades, Gran Turismo has been the ultimate benchmark in racing simulation. With Gran Turismo 7 VR, Polyphony Digital takes a decisive step forward by harnessing the power of the PlayStation VR2 to offer total immersion behind the wheel. Ranked among the best VR racing games and even in the top best VR games across all categories, GT7 VR redefines the virtual driving experience in 2025.
By late 2025, the game has benefited from major updates, including optimization for the PS5 Pro, which drastically improves visual rendering and fluidity. Thanks to dynamic foveated rendering, precise eye tracking, and headset haptic feedback, every session becomes a true sensory experience. Whether you are a seasoned driver or a curious newcomer, this comprehensive review will reveal everything you need to know about GT7 VR in 2025: performance, optimal settings, recommended hardware, and the final verdict.
Gran Turismo 7 in VR: The State of Play in Late 2025
Initially launched in February 2023 for the PSVR2, Gran Turismo 7 VR has evolved considerably. By late 2025, the game benefits from all major updates, including the Spec II update, which brought substantial graphical improvements, new tracks, and better VR mode optimization.
Exclusive PSVR2 Compatibility
Unlike some multi-platform games, GT7 VR remains a PlayStation VR2 exclusive. This strategic decision allows developers to fully exploit the unique capabilities of Sony’s headset: 4K HDR OLED displays (2000 x 2040 pixels per eye), a 110-degree field of view, integrated eye tracking, and in-headset haptic feedback. The result? A VR experience optimized like no other racing simulation on the market.
What Changes with VR Mode
The VR mode in Gran Turismo 7 doesn’t just slap a cockpit view onto the existing game. Every element has been reworked for total immersion: 3D dashboards display readable and interactive information, functional mirrors faithfully reflect the traffic behind you, and the sense of depth completely transforms how you perceive corners and braking distances.
The freedom of head movement allows you to naturally adopt professional racing techniques: looking toward the apex of a turn, checking blind spots before an overtake, or simply admiring the architectural details of a historic track like the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Game Modes Accessible in VR
One of the major strengths of GT7 VR is its full compatibility with all game content. Unlike some limited VR implementations, you can play:
- Full Solo Campaign: All events, licenses, and missions are playable in VR
- Online Racing: Compete against other players in daily championships
- VR Showroom Mode: Admire every car in your collection in full scale (new in 2025)
- Time Trial: Perfect your lap times on the 97+ available tracks
- Photography: Capture immersive shots using the VR Scapes mode
The Impact of the Spec II Update on VR
The Spec II version deployed in 2024 and optimized in 2025 brought notable changes to the VR mode. Improvements include better foveated rendering management, which concentrates graphical power where your gaze is fixed, reducing peripheral blur without impacting performance. Dynamic shadows have been refined, and the volumetric lighting system makes racing in the rain or at dusk even more spectacular.
PS5 Pro vs Standard PS5: The Graphical Leap in VR
The arrival of the PlayStation 5 Pro in late 2024 marked a turning point for Gran Turismo 7 VR. By late 2025, the souped-up console offers significant advantages for simulation purists.
Concrete Performance Differences
On the standard PS5, GT7 VR runs at 90 Hz with reprojection to 120 Hz, already offering remarkable fluidity. The PS5 Pro elevates the experience with:
- Native 120 Hz Mode: Absolute fluidity without reprojection, reducing latency by 8-10 ms
- Improved Resolution: Supersampling that eliminates aliasing on distant tracks
- Advanced Graphical Effects: Real-time ray-tracing reflections on car bodies (limited in standard VR)
- Increased Draw Distance: Distant scenery remains sharp, which is crucial on tracks like Le Mans
Framerate Comparison Table
| Criterion | Standard PS5 | PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| VR Framerate | 90 Hz reprojection 120 Hz | Native 120 Hz |
| Effective Resolution | ~1800p per eye | ~2000p per eye (supersampling) |
| In-race Ray-tracing | No | Yes (limited reflections) |
| Input-to-photon Latency | ~45 ms | ~35 ms |
Do You Need a PS5 Pro to Enjoy GT7 in VR?
The short answer: no, but it’s a real plus. The standard PS5 already offers an exceptional VR experience, more than enough for 90% of players. However, if you are a confirmed simracing driver, own a high-end wheel setup (Fanatec, Thrustmaster Direct Drive), or are looking for the best possible VR experience in 2025, the PS5 Pro justifies the investment. The reduction in latency and native 120 Hz fluidity make a tangible difference in competitive racing.
Optimal Setup: VR Settings and Comfort
One of the major challenges of VR remains motion sickness, the discomfort caused by the gap between visually perceived movement and the lack of real physical movement. GT7 VR offers several solutions to minimize this discomfort.
Recommended Anti-Nausea Settings (2025)
Here are the optimal parameters from the simracing community in late 2025:
- Field of View (FOV): Set between 85-90° rather than the maximum. Too wide an FOV amplifies motion sickness
- Camera Movement: Disable artificial camera movements in corners
- Static Visual Cues: Enable the permanent dashboard display (a reassuring fixed reference)
- Progressive Transitions: In Options > VR, enable ‘Comfort Fade’ for menu transitions
- Brightness: Reduce to 80-85% to limit eye strain during long sessions
How to Avoid Getting Sick in Gran Turismo 7 VR?
Beyond software settings, several practices drastically reduce the risk of nausea:
- Short sessions at first: Start with 15-20 minutes and increase gradually. Your brain adapts in a few days
- Use a fan: Airflow on the face helps tremendously in reducing discomfort
- Avoid an empty stomach: Playing on an empty stomach or right after a heavy meal worsens motion sickness
- Fixate on the horizon: In corners, focus on distant fixed points rather than nearby elements
- Stable seating position: A bucket seat or a gaming chair with armrests reduces the feeling of imbalance
- Ginger: Ginger tea before a session naturally helps against nausea
Advanced Graphical Settings
For players seeking the perfect balance between beauty and performance in 2025:
- PS5 Pro Performance Mode: Prioritize 120 Hz mode over ‘Maximum Quality’
- HDR: Calibrate with a peak brightness of 800-1000 nits for optimal contrast without glare
- Foveated Rendering: Ensure eye tracking is well-calibrated (re-calibrate if necessary)
The Best Steering Wheels for GT7 VR in 2025
The Gran Turismo 7 VR experience reaches its peak with a force feedback steering wheel. Here are the recommended configurations based on your budget in 2025.
PS5 Compatible Wheels: Buying Guide
Entry-Level Budget (€200-350)
Logitech G29 / G923: The timeless classic. Decent force feedback, reliable, and widely proven. 3-pedal set included. Ideal for starting without breaking the bank.
Thrustmaster T248: A more modern alternative with hybrid force feedback (belt + gears). Better precision than the G29, integrated screen on the wheel. Excellent value for money in 2025.
Mid-Range (€400-800)
Thrustmaster T300 RS GT: Belt-driven motor offering superior fluidity and more realistic force feedback. Interchangeable wheel, improved T3PA pedals. The sweet spot for most serious players.
Thrustmaster T-GT II: Designed in collaboration with Polyphony Digital specifically for GT7. Powerful force feedback (up to 5 Nm), Thrustmaster TM compatibility with transducer effects. If you are an exclusive GT fan, this is THE benchmark.
High-End (€800+)
Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (8 Nm): The first Direct Drive wheel officially compatible with PS5. Professional feel, surgical precision, premium build. Expandable with the Fanatec ecosystem (Load Cell pedals, shifters). The choice of competitors.
Fanatec GT DD Extreme: Improved 2025 version with 15 Nm of peak torque. For purists seeking the ultimate home simracing experience.
Recommended Additional Accessories
- Bucket Seat: A Playseat Challenge (foldable entry-level) or a Next Level Racing GTTrack (rigid, aluminum) transforms immersion
- Load Cell Pedals: Replaces mechanical resistance with a pressure sensor (like in real cars). Drastically improves braking precision. Thrustmaster TLCM or Fanatec CSL Pedals LC
- H-pattern Shifter: For driving classic cars with their original gearbox. Thrustmaster TH8A remains the benchmark in 2025
Ultimate Immersive Setup: The Complete Guide
To achieve maximum immersion in GT7 VR in late 2025, combine:
- PSVR2 + PS5 Pro (Native 120 Hz)
- Direct Drive Wheel Fanatec DD Pro 8 Nm minimum
- Load Cell Pedals (3 pedals)
- Rigid Aluminum Bucket Seat with screen support (even if not used in VR, for rigidity)
- Bass Shaker: Transducers under the seat that transmit engine vibrations and suspension shocks (Buttkicker Gamer Plus)
- Adjustable Fan to simulate wind and reduce motion sickness
This configuration will cost you €2500-3500 but will offer an experience comparable to a professional simulator.
Exclusive Modes and 2025 New Features
VR Showroom Mode: Admire Your Collection
Introduced in 2024 and perfected in 2025, the VR Showroom allows you to inspect every vehicle in your garage in full scale. Walk around a Ferrari F40, open the doors of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, or admire the details of a Lamborghini Aventador’s V12 engine. The 3D models are photographically faithful, with 4K textures and dynamic lighting.
This feature transforms GT7 into a true virtual automotive museum, justifying the purchase of the PSVR2 for enthusiasts on its own.
Vehicle Physics: 2025 Evolutions
Polyphony Digital has continued to refine the physics model with several updates in 2025:
- Improved Tire Behavior: Thermal degradation and wear are more progressive and predictable
- Revised Aerodynamics: High-speed aerodynamic downforce has a greater impact on handling
- Assistance Systems: ABS and traction control faithfully reproduce real-world systems
- Mechanical Damage: Optional extended mode with engine, brake, and suspension wear
These refinements make every car unique to drive, with distinct characteristics that become evident in VR.
Can You Play the Entire Game in VR?
The answer is a near-total yes. Gran Turismo 7 VR offers exhaustive compatibility:
- ✅ All Tracks (97+ layouts available in late 2025)
- ✅ All Cars (460+ vehicles)
- ✅ Full Campaign (World Circuits, GT Café, missions)
- ✅ Online Multiplayer (Sport Mode, lobbies)
- ✅ Time Trial
- ✅ VR Scapes Photo Mode
- ❌ System Menus: Navigation in ‘cinema’ mode (floating 2D screen)
The only limitation concerns management menus (buying cars, tuning), displayed in 2D cinema mode for convenience. As soon as you hit the track, VR immersion is total.
Our Verdict: Is GT7 Still the King of VR in 2025?
Strengths
- ✅ Unrivaled Immersion: The feeling of being behind the wheel is stunning, reinforced by PSVR2 eye tracking
- ✅ Exhaustive Content: Full access to 97 tracks and 460+ cars in VR without compromise
- ✅ PS5 Pro Performance: Native 120 Hz offers exceptional fluidity in late 2025
- ✅ Scalability: Regular updates adding tracks and vehicles for free
- ✅ VR Showroom: Unique added value for virtual collectors
- ✅ Wheel Compatibility: Wide range of supported accessories, from G29 to Direct Drive
Weaknesses
- ❌ PSVR2 Exclusivity: Significant investment (headset + console + wheel)
- ❌ Adaptation Curve: Motion sickness can deter VR newcomers
- ❌ 2D Menus: System navigation is less immersive than driving
- ❌ Limited Multiplayer: No cross-play with PCVR or other platforms
2025 Competition Comparison
Compared to alternatives like Assetto Corsa Competizione VR (PCVR), iRacing, or Automobilista 2, GT7 VR stands out for:
- Accessibility: Plug-and-play setup on console vs complex gaming PC
- AAA Production: Superior budget and graphical polish
- Variety: From city cars to Formula 1, an incomparable range
On the other hand, pure PC simulations offer even more advanced physics and support for high-end hardware (20+ Nm wheels). GT7 VR remains the best compromise between immersion and accessibility for the general public in 2025.
Final Verdict
Gran Turismo 7 VR remains the console VR benchmark in 2025, by far. PS5 Pro optimizations, continuous updates, and perfect PSVR2 integration make it an essential experience for any racing fan. If you already own the PlayStation ecosystem, the investment in the VR headset is fully justified for GT7 alone.
For PC purists and eSport competitors, native simulations will remain superior in terms of raw physics. But for overall sensory immersion, the balance of gameplay/realism, and richness of content, GT7 VR has no equal in the console universe.
🏁 Want to explore other VR worlds? Discover our complete ranking of VR simulation games across all categories: aviation, space, construction, and much more.
Gran Turismo 7 VR FAQ (2025)
Do I need a PS5 Pro to enjoy GT7 in VR?
No, the standard PS5 already offers an excellent experience at 90 Hz with 120 Hz reprojection. The PS5 Pro brings a notable boost (native 120 Hz, better resolution) but is not essential. Reserve it for enthusiasts seeking the optimal experience or those with a high-end simracing setup.
How can I avoid getting sick in Gran Turismo 7 VR?
Several effective solutions: start with short sessions (15-20 min), use a fan directed at your face, set the FOV between 85-90°, disable artificial camera movements, and fixate on the horizon in corners. Adaptation happens naturally within a few days of regular practice.
Can I play the whole game in VR?
Yes, all 97 tracks and 460+ cars are playable in VR, as well as all modes (campaign, multiplayer, time trial, Showroom). Only the management menus are displayed in 2D cinema mode for comfort, but as soon as you drive, immersion is total.
What is the best steering wheel for GT7 VR in 2025?
It depends on your budget: the Thrustmaster T248 (€300) offers the best value for starting out, the T-GT II (€600) is specifically optimized for Gran Turismo, and the Fanatec DD Pro (€800+) represents the pinnacle with its Direct Drive technology for demanding drivers.
Is GT7 VR compatible with PSVR1?
No, the VR mode is exclusive to PlayStation VR2. The PSVR1 headset is not compatible with the PS5 or GT7. The experience strictly requires a PSVR2 and a PlayStation 5 (standard or Pro).
