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Driving and Vehicles
March 7, 2026 at 01:20 AM
Added 4 internal cross-links
Driving is an optional transportation feature in inZOI that allows Zois to manually operate vehicles through city streets. Manual driving is available as an experimental setting and supports both third-person and first-person camera views. The vehicle roster has grown significantly since launch, with cars, motorcycles, scooters, jet skis, and hovercrafts available across multiple updates. The game also includes a real-world brand partnership with Hyundai featuring three officially licensed models at launch (six total after v0.3.0).
Six car models were available at launch, including three inZOI-branded vehicles and three Hyundai models. Cars are purchased through the in-game shopping interface using Meow.
Vehicle | Price (Mew) | Seats | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
Z-Car | 10,000 | 4 | Budget four-door sedan |
Hyundai INSTER | 14,600 | 4 | Compact three-door SUV |
Sedan | 30,000 | 5 | Mid-range four-door sedan |
Hyundai AZERA | 37,110 | 5 | Premium four-door sedan |
Pickup Truck | 40,000 | - | Open-bed pickup truck |
Hyundai IONIQ 5 | 47,000 | 5 | Electric crossover |
SUV | 55,000 | 5 | Full-size sport utility vehicle |
Each car comes in multiple color options, typically five per model. All cars drive at the same speed; the differences between models are purely cosmetic and relate to seating capacity.
The v0.3.0 update added 14 new vehicles to the game, significantly expanding transportation options:
3 new Hyundai models: Hyundai Staria Lounge, Hyundai IONIQ 9, and Hyundai NEXO, bringing the total Hyundai count to six.
Motorcycles and scooters: Two-wheeled vehicles were added as a new vehicle category. Scooters and motorcycles can only be driven manually; the "Drive Here" auto-drive option does not work with two-wheeled vehicles.
Used car market: Previously owned vehicles became available at half the original price.
The v0.5.0 update added jet skis and hovercrafts as new water vehicle types, expanding transportation options for coastal areas and the Cahaya island city.
Cars are purchased through the in-game shopping interface. Important restrictions apply:
Each individual Zoi can own only one car at a time.
Only the Zoi who purchased the car can drive it. Other household members can sit as passengers.
Cars cost a significant amount of Meow, making them a major investment early in the game.
To switch vehicles, sell the current car first, then purchase a new one.
Manual driving is available as an experimental feature. To enable it:
Open Options from the game menu.
Navigate to Gameplay > Driving (Experimental).
Toggle "Enable Manual Driving" to On.
Important: Enabling manual driving locks the game to 1x playback speed while the Zoi is in the car. You cannot fast-forward time during manual driving.
Key | Action |
|---|---|
W | Accelerate |
S | Brake / Reverse |
A | Steer Left |
D | Steer Right |
Left Mouse Click | Honk Horn |
Tab | Switch between First-Person and Third-Person camera |
In first-person mode, moving the mouse allows shoulder checks to look behind or to the side of the vehicle. The driving physics are simplified compared to dedicated racing games, prioritizing accessibility over simulation accuracy.
When clicking on a parked vehicle, several interactions are available beyond driving:
Interaction | Description |
|---|---|
Wash the Car | Cleans the vehicle exterior |
Repair the Car | Fixes the vehicle |
Take a Selfie with Car | Boosts the Media Production skill |
Open/Close Trunk | Opens or closes the rear trunk |
Roll Windows Up/Down | Controls individual windows |
Toggle Headlights | Turns headlights on or off |
Toggle Emergency Lights | Activates hazard warning lights |
Toggle Turn Signals | Activates left or right turn signal |
Taking a selfie with a car is a useful early-game strategy for leveling the Media Production skill without needing other equipment.
There is no fuel or gas system in the current version of inZOI. Cars do not need to be refueled and will run indefinitely. The 2026 development roadmap includes plans to "introduce refueling and maintenance requirements for vehicles, along with related facilities and interactions," so this will change in a future update.
The game features traffic lights and NPC vehicles that populate the roads. In automatic driving mode (when manual driving is disabled), Zois follow all traffic rules and arrive safely at their destination. There is currently no traffic violation system; running red lights or speeding does not result in fines or tickets.
Accidents can have social and narrative consequences:
Hitting another vehicle: Triggers a "traffic accident" alert. The Zoi becomes upset, and rear-ending another car may result in an argument with the other driver that creates an enemy relationship.
Hitting a pedestrian: Pedestrian reactions are inconsistent. Some react dramatically while others do not respond. If a Zoi is killed by a vehicle, the driver is sent to jail.
Karma impact: Running over pedestrians can decrease karma. Unintentional violence while driving damages the Zoi's karma standing.
In Cahaya, heavy rain prevents Zois from driving cars entirely, a weather-based restriction unique to that city.
When a Zoi purchases a car, it appears parked on the street outside their home. If the Zoi exits the car at another location and leaves the area, the car teleports back to the home parking spot. There are no garages, persistent public parking locations, or designated parking spaces in the current version. The 2026 roadmap includes plans to "restore family parking zones and add a home garage designation."
Each city offers its own public transportation system that provides fast travel between stops:
City | Transport Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
Subway | Underground train stations; fast travel between subway stops | |
Public Bus | Bus stops around the city; fast travel between bus stops | |
Water Taxi / Boat Rentals | Yellow boats at docks; free water taxis to any island; also rentable boats |
To use public transportation, open the map (M key), select a destination, and choose "Go Here." The Zoi automatically uses the nearest available transport option. The fast-forward button at the bottom left of the screen can speed up travel time while using public transport.
The 2026 development roadmap includes significant vehicle-related improvements:
Minimap UI while driving
Family parking zones and home garage designation
Refueling and maintenance requirements with related facilities
Improved collision physics with natural vehicle deceleration
Additional vehicle types including convertibles and bicycles
Multiple Zois boarding a vehicle at once
School buses for children
Taxi driver career and transportation business operations
Food trucks and ice cream trucks
Vehicle modding support via ModKit (targeted June 2026)
Only Teenagers and older Zois can sit in the driver's seat. Children can ride as passengers but cannot drive. This matches the life stage system where Teenagers gain access to adult activities like driving and part-time jobs.
Cars are not necessarily faster than other transportation options. Walking and the subway system both move Zois around the city. Cars exist primarily for the role-playing experience and the social status of ownership. The developers have stated that inZOI is "not a driving simulator" and that they prioritized simulating the city population (up to 300 Zois with AI routines) over vehicle physics.
Decorative car objects exist in Build Mode for lot decoration, but these are non-functional props. They cannot be driven or interacted with beyond placement and removal.
