GoKawiilGTA VI overhauls car theft with tiered hacking mechanics, Rockstar reveals
Rockstar co-studio head Rob Nelson told IGN that Grand Theft Auto VI will replace the series' simple hotwire button with varied theft methods tied to each vehicle's make and model. Some cars will require tools like key cloners, others will demand careful speed control to dodge GPS tracking, and an in-game app will help players identify what's needed and what a car is worth. Players can still carjack any driver directly, but stealing parked vehicles will be gated by story progress and acquired equipment.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This signals Rockstar wants vehicle acquisition to feel like a meaningful gameplay system rather than a throwaway mechanic, adding progression and decision-making layers absent from earlier entries. It also arrives as the game continues to be shadowed by unauthorized leaks, meaning Rockstar is fighting to control its own narrative around features it hasn't officially unveiled yet.
- Car theft in GTA VI will vary by vehicle type, requiring different tools or techniques.
- Certain cars stay locked until players advance the story and gain specific equipment.
- An in-game app will show what's needed to steal a car and its resale value.
Sony DualSense Wireless Controller — If you're planning to spend hundreds of hours boosting cars in GTA VI, a fresh DualSense is the way to feel every hotwire attempt through its haptics and adaptive triggers. Having a spare charged and ready means no interruptions mid-heist.
See Sony DualSense Wireless Controller on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Ian Carlos Campbell, 2026-08-27
Published there as: “You won't be able to hot-wire every car in GTA 6”
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