GTA Online has a solid roster of vehicles, but the HSW upgrade system has created a clear divide between what is worth driving and what gets left in the garage collecting dust. While the summer 2026 DLC is on the way, there are still some vehicles that have been sitting in performance limbo for years, and a targeted batch of HSW upgrades could make a genuine difference to how competitive and varied the car meta feels.
These five vehicles in GTA Online are the strongest cases for getting that treatment in 2026.
Note: Parts of this article are subjective and based on the writer’s views.
GTA Online: 5 vehicles that should get HSW upgrades
1) Any Truffade vehicle
The Truffade lineup is one of the most visually impressive in the game. The Thrax, Nero Custom, Nero, Adder, and Z-Type are all genuinely beautiful cars to look at. The problem is that looks are about the only thing they have going for them. Not one Truffade vehicle currently holds up in competitive racing, and it is impossible to take any of them into a proper race without getting left behind by other classes.
Bugattis in real life are among the fastest production cars ever built. The fact that none of their GTA counterparts can hold a candle to in-game supercars feels like a missed opportunity. Of course, the cars look spectacular parked in a garage, but the moment they hit the streets of Los Santos, they become irrelevant.
An HSW upgrade for even one of them would go a long way toward making Truffade ownership feel worth something beyond aesthetics.
2) Pegassi Bati 801
The Bati 801 is one of the most affordable vehicles in the entire game, and back in 2013 it was a go-to choice for a huge number of players. It is still a decent beginner bike today, but the latter years have not been kind to it. The Shinobi, Powersurge, Western Reever, and Shotaro have all left it well behind in terms of top speed and overall performance.
The case for an HSW upgrade here is not just about performance. It pertains to the idea of giving a cheap, beloved vehicle a high-cost upgrade path. Buying the Bati for its low base price and then sinking a significant sum into an HSW upgrade would be an attractive proposition for a lot of players.
It creates an accessible entry point with a meaningful upgrade ceiling, which is exactly the kind of choice that makes vehicle investment interesting.
3) Osiris
Based on the Pagani Huayra, the Osiris had a rougher ride, and it launched during the Ill-Gotten Gains update as one of the most expensive and hyped supercars at the time. Players bought it immediately, and then the T20 came out shortly after and outperformed it, making the Osiris feel like wasted money within weeks of launch.
It is genuinely one of the best-looking cars in the game, and it was neglected faster than almost any vehicle in GTA Online history. This model deserves the same HSW treatment.
4) Buffalo STX
The situation with the Buffalo STX is less about nostalgia and more about fairness. The STX is a popular muscle car with 126.00 mph (202.78 km/h) when it’s fully upgraded, but its direct competition, the Vigero ZX, has access to both HSW and Imani Tech upgrades, while the STX only has Imani Tech. That asymmetry essentially decides the winner before the race even starts.
The overwhelming majority of players choose the Vagero ZX simply because it has both crucial upgrade paths available. Giving the Buffalo STX an HSW upgrade would not just benefit that one car. It would revive the entire muscle class as a competitive category.
5) Gauntlet Hellfire
The Gauntlet Hellfire is considered iconic by a large chunk of the GTA Online player base. It is a recognisable muscle car with good customisation options and a look that holds up well. The issue is that it simply cannot keep up with where the muscle class has moved in terms of performance.
Rockstar did release a Hotring Hellfire variant, but that is a NASCAR-style build that does not scratch the same itch for players who want the original muscle car experience. Coming in at close to $1.8 million, it is also a significant investment for something that does not feel like a true successor.
A more sensible solution would be an HSW upgrade for the original Hellfire, so players who already own it can bring it up to a competitive level without needing to buy a different version of the same car.
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Edited by Rishi Pallav