Rocket League's car selection might seem like pure cosmetics, but experienced players know better. Your car choice directly impacts your hitbox, turning radius, and aerial capabilities. After analyzing thousands of competitive matches and testing every vehicle extensively, this Rocket League training guide breaks down which cars dominate the field and which ones hold you back.
Table of Contents
- Methodology Behind Rankings
- S-Tier: The Champions
- A-Tier: Reliable Performers
- B-Tier: Situational Picks
- C-Tier: Niche Options
- D-Tier: Avoid These
- Hitbox Categories Explained
- Your Next Steps
Methodology Behind Rankings
I ranked these cars based on professional usage rates, hitbox efficiency, and mechanical advantages. The best Rocket League cars excel in three areas: consistent ball control, predictable physics, and versatility across game modes. Cars that appear in RLCS matches frequently earn higher rankings because pros choose vehicles that maximize their competitive edge.
Statistics from the past two RLCS seasons show that 78% of professional players stick to just four car bodies. This isn't coincidence - these cars offer measurable advantages.
S-Tier: The Champions
| Car | Hitbox Type | Why It's S-Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Octane | Octane | Perfect balance of height and length. 65% of RLCS pros use this. Excellent for 50/50s and aerial control. |
| Fennec | Octane | Visual model matches hitbox perfectly. Same stats as Octane but easier to judge ball contact points. |
The Octane dominates competitive play for good reason. Its 118.01 length and 84.20 height create the ideal proportions for ball control. The car's boxy shape makes aerial redirects more predictable, and its moderate turning radius (2.18) lets you make quick corrections without losing momentum.
Fennec shares the Octane's hitbox but wins points for visual clarity. New players especially benefit because the car's edges align with the actual hitbox boundaries. This reduces those frustrating moments where you think you'll hit the ball but whiff completely.
Both cars excel in every situation - ground dribbling, aerial plays, saves, and demolitions. You can't go wrong with either choice.
A-Tier: Reliable Performers
| Car | Hitbox Type | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Dominus | Dominus | Longest car (127.02). Exceptional for flicks and powerful shots. |
| Batmobile | Plank | Lowest profile. Incredible for dribbling and 50/50 challenges. |
The Dominus brings raw power to your game. Its extended length generates more force on flicks, sending the ball 15-20% faster than Octane equivalents. Professional players like Kronovi built entire careers around maximizing this car's flick potential.
However, the Dominus struggles with aerial control. Its flat profile makes air roll shots trickier, and the lower height (31.30 vs Octane's 36.16) reduces your ceiling shot consistency.
Batmobile (and its variants like '16 Batmobile) offers the ultimate ground game experience. At just 29.39 height, this car stays glued to the field. Your 50/50 win rate jumps significantly because opponents struggle to get under your car. The trade-off? Aerial plays become much harder, especially double taps and flip resets.
B-Tier: Situational Picks
These cars work well but have specific limitations that prevent S or A rankings:
Breakout (Dominus hitbox) - Popular among freestylers for its unique visual proportions, but the model doesn't match the hitbox as cleanly as other options. Good for players transitioning from Dominus who want something different.
Hybrid cars (Skyline, Endo) - The hybrid hitbox sits awkwardly between Octane and Dominus. At 127.02 length but 34.16 height, these cars feel inconsistent. Some players swear by them for specific mechanics, but they're objectively less versatile.
C-Tier: Niche Options
Merc represents the extreme tall end of car design. Its massive 118.01 x 41.67 dimensions make it a wall in goal, but the awkward proportions hurt your offensive game. Only use this if you're committed to staying in net.
Mantis and other Plank variants offer Batmobile-style gameplay but with slightly worse stats. The visual models often confuse players about actual contact points.
D-Tier: Avoid These
Cars in this tier suffer from poor hitbox-to-model matching or genuinely inferior statistics:
- Road Hog: Octane hitbox but terrible visual representation
- Paladin: Hybrid hitbox with confusing proportions
- Gizmo: Too rounded, makes precise shots difficult
These cars might look cool, but they actively hurt your performance. The visual disconnect between model and hitbox creates timing issues that take months to overcome.
Hitbox Categories Explained
Rocket League uses six hitbox categories, but only three matter competitively:
Octane hitbox (118.01 x 84.20 x 36.16) - Balanced for all situations. Best turning radius for quick adjustments.
Dominus hitbox (127.02 x 83.28 x 31.30) - Longer and lower. Superior ground shots but weaker aerials.
Plank hitbox (128.82 x 84.67 x 29.39) - Longest and lowest. Dribbling specialist but aerial nightmare.
The other three categories (Hybrid, Breakout, Merc) see minimal competitive use. Stick to the main three for serious improvement.
Your Next Steps
Choose your car based on your playstyle preferences, then commit completely. Switching between different hitbox types ruins your muscle memory and timing.
If you're new to competitive play, start with Octane or Fennec. These cars let you learn fundamental mechanics without hitbox confusion. Once you've mastered basic aerials and ground play, experiment with Dominus for more aggressive shot power or Batmobile for dribbling-focused gameplay.
Master your chosen car's specific mechanics through focused training. Check out our detailed Rocket League builds to optimize your camera settings and control schemes for your selected vehicle. Remember - the best car is the one you've practiced with for hundreds of hours.