Saints Row: The Third - How to Choose and Upgrade Vehicles

To survive high-speed pursuits and heavy gang retaliation in Saints Row: The Third, hijack and garage a durable mid-tier vehicle during early play, then invest cash into vehicle armor and handling upgrades alongside your weapon purchases.

Building a diverse garage roster ensures you can adapt to different mission demands across Steelport.

Vehicle Selection Trade-Offs

Choosing between speed and durability determines how you handle roadblocks and hostile pursuits. Fast civilian sports cars allow you to break line of sight in tight alleyways, but heavy gunfire can destroy them quickly. Armored options and heavy trucks absorb high damage and maintain momentum through police or gang barricades.

Progression and Vehicle Upgrades

Balance your spending between firearms and vehicle modifications to avoid getting stranded during high-heat missions.

1. Early Game: Hijack and garage durable mid-tier vehicles to secure reliable transportation for initial missions.
2. Mid Game: Spend cash on armor and handling upgrades for your preferred garage vehicles to survive specialized gang units.
3. Late Game: Shift to high-tier exotic cars for rapid movement between distant mission markers to minimize exposure in high-threat zones.

Managing Heat and Environmental Combat

Gang aggression scales as you clear missions, bringing larger waves of enemies. Retain control of encounters using these strategies:

• Clear Districts Systematically: Completing activities and takeovers in specific zones lowers hostile patrol density, reducing random combat interruptions while traveling to main objectives.
• Scan Visual Cues: Watch the environment directly rather than relying solely on the minimap. Higher contrast makes it easier to spot incoming tailing vehicles, explosive gas barrels, and destructible cover objects during night chases.
• Identify Flimsy Cover: Heavy fire destroys light environmental structures. If your current position begins breaking apart under fire, relocate immediately using high-ground positions or a reinforced garage vehicle.