The TCR class in iRacing provides some of the closest racing across the entire service. While these cars don’t produce the raw performance of GT3 or GTP machinery, the aggressive, door-banging nature of touring car racing more than makes up for it, and with iRacing’s recent TCR physics overhaul and the addition of the new Audi RS3 LMS Gen2, the class has never been more competitive.
Should you want to get a slice of the action but aren’t sure which car to choose, Coach Dave Academy has gone through each with a fine-tooth comb to help you find the one that suits your driving style best.
What Changed in the 2026 TCR Physics Update
Before we get into the cars, it’s worth covering the significant handling changes iRacing made to every TCR vehicle this season. These affect how all four cars feel on track:
New tyre model. The latest evolution of iRacing’s tyre model offers more consistent grip at the limit, reducing the peakiness that caught drivers out before. Cold tyre behaviour is more impactful, expect less grip until the tyres are up to temperature, but more dynamic, communicative handling once they’re warm.
More understeer under power. All TCR cars now understeer more when you apply throttle mid-corner, making throttle control a more important skill than ever. Smooth, progressive application is essential to avoid scrubbing speed on corner exit.
Revised powertrains and braking. Each car’s engine and braking system has been tweaked to better match reality. Fuel tank sizes have been standardised to 100 litres to match the IMSA Pilot Challenge TCR class regulations.
Updated weight physics and BoP. The Balance of Performance has been revised alongside new weight distribution physics, which means the relative competitiveness between cars has shifted from previous seasons.
These changes collectively make the TCR class feel more realistic and more rewarding to drive. The cars communicate better through the tyres, but they also demand more precise inputs, especially the throttle.
Where Can You Race TCR cars?
All four TCR cars featured in iRacing can be raced in two different racing series, both under the Touring Car Challenge banner.
The fixed setup series features 15-minute races and requires a Class D road licence to enter, while there is also an open setup contest that is contested over 30 minutes and facilitates a C Class licence.
The TCR class is also eligible to compete in the IMSA Pilot Challenge series, which runs on Saturdays on a fortnightly basis. These endurance-style races are run in a multi-class format alongside entries from the faster GT4 category and are contested over two hours.
The Current TCR Cars in iRacing
With the arrival of the new Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR replacing the original RS3 LMS, iRacing’s TCR class features four cars. All are front-wheel drive with turbocharged 2.0-litre engines, but each has distinct handling characteristics that suit different driving styles.
- Hyundai Elantra N TC
- Honda Civic Type R FK8 TCR
- Hyundai Veloster N TC
- Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR (new for 2026)
Picking the right car matters more than you might think. The more comfortable you are with your car’s handling, the more consistent you’ll be over a race distance, and in TCR, where the margins are tiny, consistency wins races. A car that suits your driving style will also be kinder on tyres and reduce mental fatigue, both of which compound over longer stints.
Need TCR iRacing Setups?
We are proud to have TCR setups back in Delta. For Season 2 they have come in house and will be made by Corentin and Manu O’Largo. They will focus solely on the brand-new Audi RS3 Gen 2 and the Honda Civic Type R.
Gain seconds in lap time with our incredible iRacing setups that include professionally developed setups and referance laps for every car available in the official weekly racing series that you can find on iRacing.
Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR is The New Challenger
The Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR is the newest addition to iRacing’s TCR class, replacing the original RS3 LMS. It’s a significant step forward from the old car, which struggled to match rivals primarily due to its DSG gearbox and a lack of overall agility. The Gen2 addresses both issues and brings a very different character to the field.
The RS3 Gen2 uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre I4 engine sending 340 hp to the front wheels via a six-speed sequential transmission. At 1,115 kg, it’s light and responsive. What defines it against the other three cars is its stiffer platform, which creates a distinct trade-off between agility and compliance.
What Makes The Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR Competitive?
- Stiffer platform makes it the most agile car through slow and fast corners
- Excellent natural rotation helps save front tyres over race distances
- Hugely rewarding driving experience once you understand its character
- No traction control, rewards precise throttle control
The RS3 Gen2’s stiffness is both its greatest strength and its biggest limitation. At smooth circuits like Donington Park and Silverstone, it’s exceptional, the agility and responsiveness allow you to carry more corner speed and get on the throttle earlier than in any other TCR car. But at bumpy tracks or circuits with heavy kerb usage, it gets unsettled more easily than the Elantra or Civic.
It’s the trickiest TCR car to be consistent with over a race distance, but arguably the most fun. Experienced drivers who enjoy a responsive, lively car will love it. Newcomers to FWD may want to build seat time in the Civic or Elantra first before graduating to the Audi.
Read our full RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR guide
Hyundai Elantra N TCR is Our Pick for Best Overall TCR Car
Featuring a 250 hp two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine developed by Hyundai’s N division, the Elantra is the third different model that the Korean brand has developed after the i30 N TCR and the Veloster.
It’s the longest TCR vehicle in iRacing at just over 4.7 metres, and alongside the RS3 Gen2, is one of two cars with a sedan-style body shape, which has a significant effect on its aerodynamic efficiency and high-speed stability.
What Makes The Hyundai Elantra N TC The Strongest Car?
- Very stable through medium and high-speed corners due to its length
- Compliant suspension setup makes it easy to drive over kerbs
- Offers more variability in brake bias and ABS settings than rivals
- Forgiving balance that suits beginners and experienced drivers alike
These characteristics make the Elantra the ideal car to jump into if you’re new to front-wheel drive racing. Its length provides natural stability, meaning you won’t need to make constant corrections while lapping. The suspension compliance means you can attack kerbs without the car getting unsettled, which is a major advantage at tracks where using the kerbs is part of the fast line.
The extra variability in brake bias and ABS settings lets you tune the car to your preference as you learn the nuances of FWD driving. These attributes make the Elantra Coach Dave Academy’s choice as the best overall TCR car in iRacing.
Read our full Elantra N TC guide
Honda Civic FK8 TCR is Best for Low-Speed Agility
The Honda Civic FK8 TCR is Honda’s second offering in the TCR world, following the FK2, which was one of the founding fathers of the category back in 2015.
It’s the shortest of the current TCR cars at 4.5 metres and features a hatchback body style, making it better suited to tighter, more technical circuits compared to the longer Elantra.
Why Choose The Honda Civic FK8 TCR?
- Shortest car in the class, giving it the most agility in slow corners
- Compliant suspension makes it stable over kerbs and gives an easy balance at most circuits
- Forgiving and predictable, great for building confidence
The Civic’s shorter length means it rotates more willingly through slow corners, giving it an edge at tight venues. Its suspension is nearly as forgiving as the Elantra’s, and it can be thrown over most kerbs without drama, though be aware that iRacing’s default setups for the Civic have been known to cause bouncing at the unloaded rear when attacking kerbs too aggressively.
Where the Civic falls short is in top speed. Its hatchback body shape makes it less aerodynamically efficient than the sedan-shaped Elantra, which leaves it behind on tracks with long straights. That said, its excellent mechanical handling makes it competitive almost everywhere, and it’s arguably the easiest TCR car to be consistent in.
Read our full Civic FK8 TCR guide
Hyundai Veloster N TC is The Wild Card
The Veloster is Hyundai’s US-focused TCR product, rarely seen outside North America other than a single entry in TCR UK. Don’t let that put you off, it’s a proven winner, most recently claiming the 2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge championship with Robert Wickens at the helm.
The Veloster shares the same two-litre turbocharged engine as the Elantra but packages it in a shorter, more compact hatchback body.
Why Should The Hyundai Veloster N TC Be Considered?
- Rotates more easily than the Civic or Elantra, and can be more fun when tamed
- More brake bias and ABS options than the Civic or RS3 Gen2, making it highly tunable
- Quick steering makes it easy to catch when sliding
The Veloster feels like a less refined version of the Elantra. Its suspension is less compliant, making it snappier over kerbs and more willing to rotate through faster bends. This can be a handful for drivers new to FWD, but it’s genuinely rewarding once you learn to work with it.
Its tendency to oversteer works well in slower bends compared to the Elantra, though it doesn’t feel any better in this area than the Civic, which is more controllable. The Veloster can absolutely be competitive in the right hands, but it’s the most inconsistent of the four cars if you’re not fully on top of it.
Read our full Veloster N TC guide
Quick Comparison: All TCR Cars Ranked
| Elantra N TC | Civic FK8 TCR | Veloster N TC | RS3 LMS Gen2 | |
| Best for | All-rounder | Technical tracks | Experienced drivers | Smooth circuits |
| Agility | Good | Good (slow corners) | High (unpredictable) | Excellent |
| Kerb compliance | Excellent | Excellent | Below average | Below average |
| Ease of driving | Easy | Very easy | Difficult | Moderate |
| Race pace consistency | Excellent | Very good | Inconsistent | Good (experienced hands) |
| Top speed | Strong | Below average | Average | Strong |
| Our rating | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Final Thoughts
All four TCR cars in iRacing are competitive enough to race at the front, but the path to getting there varies significantly depending on your choice.
If you want the safest, most consistent option: the Elantra is the clear pick. It’s stable, forgiving, compliant over kerbs, and fast everywhere.
If you want agility at technical tracks: the Civic’s shorter length gives it an edge in slow corners while remaining easy to drive.
If you want the most rewarding driving experience: the RS3 Gen2 is the car to master. It demands more from you, but it gives more back once you speak its language.
If you want a challenge: the Veloster rotates willingly and is fun when tamed, but it’s the hardest to be consistent with.
Whichever you choose, Delta has setups for every TCR car with Auto Insights AI coaching to help you find time corner by corner. And if you want to improve your fundamental driving skills before diving into the TCR battles, the Never Lift course covers everything from braking technique to throttle control.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Hyundai Elantra N TC is the best overall TCR car in iRacing for most drivers. Its length provides natural stability, its suspension handles kerbs well, and it offers the most consistent race pace across all track types. However, the Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 can match or beat it at smoother circuits in experienced hands.
There are four TCR cars in iRacing: the Hyundai Elantra N TC, Honda Civic FK8 TCR, Hyundai Veloster N TC, and the Audi RS3 LMS Gen2 TCR (which replaced the original RS3 LMS).
You need a Class D road licence for the fixed setup Touring Car Challenge series (15-minute races). The open setup series requires a Class C licence (30-minute races). TCR cars can also race in the IMSA Pilot Challenge, which runs two-hour multiclass races alongside GT4 cars.
Yes, the RS3 Gen2 is a significant improvement over the original RS3 and brings genuine agility to the TCR class. It’s the most responsive car of the four, making it excellent at smooth circuits but trickier at bumpy tracks or those with heavy kerb usage. It’s best suited to experienced drivers who enjoy a lively, engaging car.
The Honda Civic FK8 TCR is the easiest TCR car to drive thanks to its forgiving balance and compliant suspension. The Hyundai Elantra N TC is also an excellent beginner choice, offering more high-speed stability. Both are much easier to be consistent with than the Veloster or RS3 Gen2.
