Borderlands 4 brings a fresh take on vehicles, evolving them from simple travel tools into essential parts of exploration and combat. With the game’s new open-world structure, vehicles play a central role in how Vault Hunters move across vast regions, engage enemies, and customize their playstyle.
Hoe to Get Your First Vehicle
You won’t need to wait long before jumping into your first ride. Vehicles become available during the third main mission, “Down and Outbound”, which follows the introductory quest, Recruitment Drive. Completing this mission unlocks the Digirunner, your starter vehicle, and from that point onward you can digi-struct your ride almost anywhere in the world—no Catch-A-Ride stations required.
Once unlocked, vehicles can be summoned at any time:
- Keyboard: Press X
- Controller: Use the Left D-Pad
Vehicle Lineup in Borderlands 4
Borderlands 4 introduces multiple unique vehicles, each with its own design and feel. These can be unlocked through story progression, challenges, and exploration.
| Vehicle | Unlock Method |
|---|---|
| Digirunner | Story mission “Down and Outbound” |
| Driftblade | TBA |
| Carapacer | TBA |
| Sharp Repulsor | TBA |
| Sprintcraft | TBA |
| Sharp Glider | TBA |
| Skimmer | TBA |
| Stone-Hopper | TBA |
| Gyrosled | TBA |
| Pulsar | TBA |
(More vehicles are expected in post-launch DLCs).
Borderlands 4 Vehicle Features
Unlike past entries, vehicles in Borderlands 4 come with new mechanics that expand both mobility and combat:
- Boost & Jump: Vehicles can perform boosted dashes and jumps for quick traversal.
- Drift Slides: Add extra control during high-speed turns.
- Weapons: Vehicles are fitted with rockets, turrets, and interchangeable loadouts. While not the strongest combat option, they are great for crowd control and conserving ammo.
- Durability: Each vehicle has limited health but can be quickly respawned if destroyed. Driving recklessly is encouraged, since losing a ride isn’t permanent.
See also: Are Borderlands 4 PC Requirements Too High for Most Gamers?
Hover Drives – Performance Customization
One of the most exciting new features is Hover Drives, modular engines that enhance your Digirunner with unique stats. These are unlocked by completing challenges and opening Vehicle Reward Chests in ECHO-4’s reward menu.
Here are a few examples:
| Manufacturer | Hover Drive | Stats (Speed / Accel / Handling / Boost) | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daedalus | Recon Ranger | 2 / 4 / 3 / 1 | Challenge reward |
| Jakobs | Sidewinder Striker | 1 / 3 / 4 / 2 | Challenge reward |
| Maliwan | – | 4 / 2 / 1 / 3 | Challenge reward |
| Order | Hyper Dragster | 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 | Challenge reward |
| Ripper | Jackfnife Raider | 2 / 1 / 4 / 3 | Challenge reward |
| Tediore | Freight Runner | 4 / 1 / 3 / 2 | Challenge reward |
| Torgue | – | 3 / 2 / 1 / 4 | Challenge reward |
| Vladof | – | 3 / 4 / 1 / 2 | 50 kills with Vladof weaponry |
This system allows players to fine-tune performance for speed, handling, or combat mobility.
Vehicle Skins and Customization
Customization returns in Borderlands 4 with a wide range of skins and cosmetics.
- Every vehicle starts with a default skin.
- 47 additional skins can be unlocked through challenges.
- Designs include hotrod flames, geometric patterns, Vault symbol designs, manufacturer skins, and more.
These cosmetic upgrades don’t affect performance but let you personalize your ride to match your Vault Hunter’s style.
Vehicles in Combat
While primarily built for travel, vehicles remain useful in battle:
- Mounted Weapons: Provide limitless ammo for area suppression.
- Runovers: Ramming weaker foes deals heavy damage and clears groups quickly.
- Risk Factor: Running over enemies reduces XP gain, and vehicles take damage proportional to enemy health. Charging into bosses or high-level foes can easily destroy your ride.
The best approach is to use vehicles for mobility and clearing weaker mobs, saving your best gear for boss fights. Play Now!
