The Arena War workshop is among the most valuable yet underused businesses in GTA Online. With the Arena War update came dozens of new vehicles and a workshop to modify them, a popular trend in many of the game’s updates. These vehicles can be tricked out with unconventional yet devastating upgrades, transforming even the most basic rides in GTA Online into machines similar to something out of Mad Max.

With these destructive vehicles, players can participate in deadly events known as Arena War Series. These game modes are exceptionally hectic but so are the streets of Los Santos, especially when Arena War vehicles are let loose into the populous. Whether a player likes the Arena War game mode or not, it is hard to deny the allure of these modular death machines.

Updated March 15, 2022, by Christopher Anaya: After many years and much anticipation, GTA 5 and GTA Online are finally coming to the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Despite being the same game at its core, the latest addition to the GTA franchise has undergone numerous changes. With countless updates, fixes, and quality of life improvements, GTA 5 and GTA Online are essentially new games. These tremendous alterations are guaranteed to offer players a familiar yet unprecedented experience unlike any other. As such, the next-gen versions of GTA 5 and GTA Online are thrilling and worthwhile investments.

Alongside the many modifications of the base game come changes in the standings of weapons, vehicles, and other luxuries. The ranking of Arena War vehicles, in particular, has changed dramatically since their introduction in the Arena War update. Vehicles that were seemingly ineffective or downright disappointing have grown in popularity for various reasons. However, the position of some Arena War vehicles remains the same for obvious reasons.

12 Issi

  • Standard Price:
  • $1,089,000
  • Trade Price:
  • None
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 75
  • Acceleration:
  • 85
  • Braking:
  • 13
  • Handling:
  • 13
  • Seats:
  • 2

The Issi pales in comparison to other vehicles featured in the Arena War update. Although more capable than and nearly as customizable as its base model, the Issi cannot face other vehicles without falling short and, consequently, meeting an unfortunate yet predictable demise. However, unlike most Arena War vehicles, the Issi can be equipped with a mortar-like weapon capable of demolishing others.

Aside from this cataclysmic modification, the Issi has little going for it. This lackluster vehicle has a hard time flipping cars without doing so itself, and the windows are effortlessly broken. Among the worst features of the Issi are its guns, which are awkwardly positioned on the roof. Although they are centered, these guns cannot hit low targets unless the player is far away from them.

11 Cerberus

  • Standard Price:
  • $3,870,300
  • Trade Price:
  • $2,910,000 (Sponsorship Tier Reward)
  • Requirements:
  • Arena War Workshop
  • Speed:
  • 66
  • Acceleration:
  • 48
  • Braking:
  • 8
  • Handling:
  • 49
  • Seats:
  • 2

The Cerberus is a massive piece of machinery that can take the world by storm, under the right circumstances. With its monstrous plow, this beastly truck can effortlessly barrel through the streets of Los Santos, uprooting even the most well-grounded vehicles. With some modification, players can equip the Cerberus with two flamethrowers capable of incinerating players and vehicles alike.

Although it seems like a devastating machine, the Cerberus is among the worst of the Arena War vehicles. As a result of its massive size, it lacks maneuverability and is an easy target. This machine can get stuck on even the simplest of roads and cannot effectively recover should that happen. Moreover, the slow speed of the Cerberus makes it an even more susceptible target.

10 Brutus

  • Standard Price:
  • $2,666,650
  • Trade Price:
  • $2,005,000 (Sponsorship Tier Reward)
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 75
  • Acceleration:
  • 68
  • Braking:
  • 20
  • Handling:
  • 61
  • Seats:
  • 2

The Brutus is another extremely vulnerable and largely ineffectual vehicle in the Arena War Series. Its towering height makes it easy to tip over, even against the most incapable vehicles. Once it is tipped over, destroying the Brutus becomes a menial task. As such, it is hard to inflict damage with this vehicle, as it will likely fall prone before it can do so.

The Brutus boasts formidable defenses and will require significant firepower to destroy, given that it is not lying prone. The Brutus is largely useless unless a player is simply cruising, and even then, that has its issues. Despite being a van, players cannot utilize the back end, further limiting the capabilities of this vehicle.

9 Slamvan

  • Standard Price:
  • $1,321,875
  • Trade Price:
  • None
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 73
  • Acceleration:
  • 68
  • Braking:
  • 13
  • Handling:
  • 56
  • Seats:
  • 2

The Slamvan is another Arena War vehicle lower on the list due to poor handling and offensive capability. It is strenuous to drive, and the chances of taking down enemies with it are slim. While this vehicle can endure a rocket and survive, the large windows leave players vulnerable to bullets even with the armor plating.

The Slamvan does boast some machine guns on the hood, but hitting targets is nearly impossible. Using it in Arena War Series is a guaranteed method of failing, especially against capable Arena War vehicles. On the streets of Los Santos, however, the Slamvan fares somewhat better. Regardless, even the slightest of impacts are capable of knocking it over, making it an overall ineffective Arena War vehicle.

8 Scarab

  • Standard Price:
  • $3,076,290
  • Trade Price:
  • $2,313,000 (Sponsorship Tier Reward)
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 54
  • Acceleration:
  • 25
  • Braking:
  • 23
  • Handling:
  • 68
  • Seats:
  • 2

The Arena War game mode would be incomplete without a massive vehicle boasting many of the best qualities seen in GTA’s tanks: treads, armor plating, and the ability to demolish most vehicles. Unfortunately, the Scarab is much better on paper as it suffers from poor handling and speed. Despite being faster than the Cerberus, it is easily overturned and destroyed should players not exercise caution.

The most beneficial aspect of the Scarab is its durability, being able to endure multiple rockets before exploding. The offensive capabilities of this vehicle include a sizable plow and a roof-mounted machine gun. The plow proves to be effective when dredging past obstacles, but the machine gun is positioned too high and is unable to inflict any real damage.

7 Bruiser

  • Standard Price:
  • $1,609,000
  • Trade Price:
  • None
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 70
  • Acceleration:
  • 65
  • Braking:
  • 17
  • Handling:
  • 53
  • Seats:
  • 4

The Bruiser is a surprise for many players, especially those unknowing of the insanity that is Arena War vehicles. The Arena War variant of this vehicle is massive, to say the least, so much so that it is a challenge to drive. The Bruiser suffers from the same issues of driving a Cerberus, but its speed and handling make it far more manageable. Fortunately, its size offers some benefits regarding stability and ramming power.

This Bruiser is not easily knocked over, but its exposed fuel tanks make it susceptible not only to the most powerful weapons in GTA Online but the weakest as well. The lack of bulletproof windows leaves the player vulnerable to bullets, and the guns on the vehicle are hard to hit anything with. Even so, this vehicle can be fun to drive, as it knocks cars away with ease. However, its limitations make it an impractical choice in or outside the Arena War Series.

6 Impaler

  • Standard Price:
  • $331,835
  • Trade Price:
  • None
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 81
  • Acceleration:
  • 78
  • Braking:
  • 20
  • Handling:
  • 71
  • Seats:
  • 2

The Impaler is where the Arena War vehicles start to get good. This vehicle has outstanding armor, protecting players inside from countless dangers, such as bullets and missiles. Similar to the Dominator, the Impaler has impressive speed and handling. Thus, making it an overall capable and downright worthwhile vehicle. The Impaler is not without some flaws, however.

Challenging enemies head-on is not optimal because of its lackluster offensive capabilities, but the low-positioned guns are far better than other Arena War vehicles. The Impaler’s most significant fault is its lightweight frame, as it is susceptible to flipping and ramming. These are prevalent dangers in the Arena War Series and even the streets of Los Santos, making the Impaler an easy target for hard-hitting vehicles.

5 Dominator

  • Standard Price:
  • $1,132,000
  • Trade Price:
  • None
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 80
  • Acceleration:
  • 94
  • Braking:
  • 27
  • Handling:
  • 71
  • Seats:
  • 2

The Dominator is better than the Impaler because of one thing, the tombstone. In and out of the arena, the Dominator can be used to wreak havoc. It has powerful machine guns mounted on the hood. These guns can hit targets with little effort but can miss smaller vehicles because of spacing. Even so, the Dominator is a harrowing and formidable machine capable of handling other Arena War vehicles.

The most pressing downside of the Dominator is its overall lack of protection. The armor on the vehicle is acceptable everywhere but the windows, which offer little shielding. Although shooting the windows seems challenging, a well-placed shot or spray of bullets can spell doom for the Dominator’s occupants. In addition, its lackluster armor does not fare well against more aggressive Arena War vehicles.

4 Sasquatch

  • Standard Price:
  • $1,530,875
  • Trade Price:
  • None
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 70
  • Acceleration:
  • 100
  • Braking:
  • 22
  • Handling:
  • 69
  • Seats:
  • 2

The Sasquatch is by far one of the best vehicles the Arena War update has to offer. This vehicle is a literal monster truck that can easily plow through and crush targets. In truth, the Sasquatch has the best ramming power in the game, as it can barrel through most vehicles with ease. The Sasquatch’s unbridled potential for destruction makes it an unparalleled vehicle in and outside the Arena War Series.

The Sasquatch has more in its arsenal besides sheer force. It gets special weapons like a massive fist for ramming and dual grenade launchers for blowing things up. These launchers fire low and can easily hit targets without any height issues. The ramming weapons can easily move and destroy vehicles that get in the way. Outside the arena, this vehicle is a blast to use and can cause some major mayhem.

3 Imperator

  • Standard Price:
  • $2,284,940
  • Trade Price:
  • $1,718,000 (Sponsorship Tier Reward)
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 81
  • Acceleration:
  • 91
  • Braking:
  • 17
  • Handling:
  • 68
  • Seats:
  • 2

The Imperator has great handling, speed, and acceleration to get players through the arena. It also possesses phenomenal defensive and offensive capabilities. For defense, the Imperator gets great armor that surrounds the player and a mortar to help prevent others from getting too close. Thus, allowing it to fend against dangers up close and from afar.

Instead of a traditional ramming weapon, players can choose to add spinning blades to the front of the Imperator that can throw cars and instantly kill players. This vehicle also gets mounted machine guns that are easy to hit targets with. These catastrophic weapons make the Imperator an exceedingly dangerous vehicle, especially in the Arena War Series.

2 Deathbike

  • Standard Price:
  • $1,269,000
  • Trade Price:
  • None
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 79
  • Acceleration:
  • 78
  • Braking:
  • 37
  • Handling:
  • 62
  • Seats:
  • 1

The Deathbike is one of the greatest vehicles that players can buy in GTA Online. Not only is it among the fastest motorcycles, but it also gets great upgrades that help keep players alive. A large shield can be added to the back of the Deathbike that can protect the player from bullets.

The downside to this shield is that it can eventually blow up despite not being connected to the gas tank. The size of this vehicle keeps players safe in the arena and the speed helps them get away from danger. The one downside of this vehicle is that it can easily be destroyed by explosives.

1 ZR380

  • Standard Price:
  • $2,138,640
  • Trade Price:
  • $1,608,000 (Sponsorship Tier Reward)
  • Requirements:
  • None
  • Speed:
  • 85
  • Acceleration:
  • 88
  • Braking:
  • 27
  • Handling:
  • 76
  • Seats:
  • 2

The ZR380 is regarded by many as the best Arena War vehicle, and for good reason. This car boasts impressive maneuverability, speed, and handling, which are lacking in other Arena War vehicles. In addition, the ZR380 utilizes a devastating arsenal capable of untold destruction. Particularly antagonistic players will think twice about attacking someone in this monstrous machine of mayhem.

The ZR380’s dual machine guns are centered and low, allowing them to hit most targets in range. Additionally, with some modifications, players can implement various blades on this vehicle. These blades deal significant damage to other vehicles and instantly kill those that get too close. The ZR380 has considerable protection that encompasses the car, including the windows.

Grand Theft Auto Online is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.