Why the Benefactor Surano is Still the Best Entry-Level Sports Car in GTA Online

Why the Benefactor Surano is Still the Best Entry-Level Sports Car in GTA Online

You’re cruising through Rockford Hills. The sun is setting, hitting the chrome just right. You want something that looks like it costs two million bucks, but your Maze Bank account is looking a little... depressed. Enter the Benefactor Surano.

It’s an old-school classic in the world of GTA Online. Honestly, in a game now dominated by flying bikes and literal tanks, it’s easy to overlook a car that’s been around since day one. But that would be a mistake. A huge one. This car isn't just a budget filler; it’s a specific vibe that most of the newer, hyper-expensive supercars just can't replicate. It's based on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster and the Jaguar F-Type, and it carries that European grand tourer energy perfectly.

The Benefactor Surano: A Hidden Gem in a Sea of Supercars

Why do people still buy this thing? It’s simple.

The price. For $110,000, you are getting a vehicle that holds its own in the Sports class. Most modern cars in this category will set you back $1.5 million or more. You can buy ten Suranos for the price of one Italian GTO. Does the GTO beat it in a race? Yeah, obviously. But does the GTO feel ten times better to drive? Not even close. The Benefactor Surano has a weight to it. It feels grounded.

When you take a corner in a Surano, you have to actually drive it. It’s not a "glue-to-the-road" kind of car. It’s got a bit of tail-happy personality. If you’re heavy on the throttle coming out of a turn, the back end is going to step out. It’s fun. It’s rewarding. It makes you feel like you’re actually playing a racing game rather than just holding down a button and pointing a joystick.

Speed and Stats That Actually Matter

Let’s talk numbers, but not the boring ones. The top speed sits around 121 mph when fully upgraded. That’s decent. It’s not breaking any land speed records in 2026, but for city driving? It’s plenty.

The acceleration is punchy. Thanks to that high-revving engine sound—which, by the way, is one of the best in the game—you feel like you’re flying. It’s got a 6.5-liter V12 (if we’re going by the lore/engine model), and you can hear every bit of it.

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  • Top Speed: ~121 mph (Fully Upgraded)
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
  • Seating: 2-seater roadster
  • Price: $110,000 via Legendary Motorsport

If you’re a new player, this should be your first "real" purchase after you get your high-end apartment. Forget the flashy stuff. Get the Surano.

Customization and the "Cool" Factor

One thing I love about the Benefactor Surano is the roof. Or the lack of one. It’s a roadster. Being able to see your character, their outfit, and the interior while you're zipping through Los Santos adds a level of immersion that closed-top cars miss.

Customization isn't as deep as the Benny’s Original Motor Works cars or the newer Tuner DLC vehicles, but it’s solid. You’ve got the standard spoilers, bumpers, and exhausts. You can turn it into a track-ready beast or keep it looking like a classy daily driver. Personally, I think the "clean" look suits it best. Throw some high-end wheels on it, a metallic paint job with a pearlescent finish, and you’re golden.

Most people don't realize that the Surano actually has one of the more detailed interiors for an "OG" car. Rockstar actually put effort into the dashboard and the seating textures back in the day. It doesn't feel like a low-poly mess when you switch to first-person mode.

Handling the Curves

Driving in GTA Online has changed. Everything is so fast now that the physics engine sometimes struggles to keep up. The Surano exists in that "sweet spot." It’s fast enough to be thrilling but slow enough that you can actually weave through traffic without clipping a random NPC every five seconds.

It’s a momentum car. You want to keep your speed up. If you crash, the recovery isn't as instant as an electric supercar like the Coil Cyclone. But that’s the charm. It teaches you how to brake. It teaches you how to apex.

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Comparing the Surano to the Competition

Look, we have to be real. If you take this into a competitive race lobby, you’re probably going to lose. The Sports class is bloated with cars that are basically Supercars in disguise. The Grotti Itali RSX and the Benefactor Schlagen GT will smoke it on a straightaway.

But GTA Online isn't always about winning races. It's about the "Freemode" experience. It’s about the drive from your bunker to your nightclub. In that context, the Benefactor Surano is a winner.

Why?

Insurance costs. If someone blows up your $2 million car, it’s a headache. If your Surano gets trashed, it’s cheap to replace. It’s the perfect "disposable" high-performance car. You can drive it like you stole it because, well, it’s affordable enough that you don't have to precious about it.

Common Misconceptions

People think because it’s cheap, it’s bad. That’s the biggest lie in Los Santos.

Another misconception is that it can't handle. It can handle, you just can't drive it like an AWD (All-Wheel Drive) car. You can't just floor it 100% of the time. You have to feather the throttle. It's a "driver's car."

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  1. Myth: It’s too slow for missions.
    Reality: It’s more than fast enough for any Contact Mission or Heist setup.
  2. Myth: It has no customization.
    Reality: It has enough to make it unique without looking tacky.
  3. Myth: It’s better to save for a Zentorno.
    Reality: The Zentorno is a Super; the Surano is a Sports. They serve different purposes, and the Surano is arguably more stylish.

How to Maximize Your Benefactor Surano

If you just bought one, go straight to Los Santos Customs. Don't skip the Engine EMS upgrades or the Turbo. This car needs that extra kick to stay relevant.

I’d also suggest lowering the suspension. It improves the center of gravity significantly and stops that "boaty" feeling it sometimes gets over bumps. Carbon fiber accessories help keep it looking modern, too.

The Verdict on the Benefactor Surano in 2026

Is it a must-have?

If you’re a collector, yes. If you’re a new player, absolutely yes. If you’re a veteran who only cares about the fastest lap times, maybe not.

But honestly?

The Benefactor Surano is a reminder of what GTA used to be. It’s a grounded, beautiful, noisy, fun-to-drive car that doesn't require you to grind Cayo Perico for five hours just to afford the tires. It’s a classic for a reason.

Next time you’re scrolling through Legendary Motorsport and you see that $110k price tag, don’t scroll past. Buy it. Paint it a deep wine red. Take it up the Great Ocean Highway. You’ll get it.

Your Next Steps

Stop looking at the meta spreadsheets for a second. Go to the Legendary Motorsport website in-game and find the Sports category. Sort by price. The Surano is sitting there waiting. Once you buy it, take it to a specialized shop like the Auto Shop if you own one—you’ll get all the classic upgrades unlocked regardless of your level. Focus on the transmission and turbo first; the stock acceleration is the only real "weakness" you'll feel initially. After that, take it for a spin around the Vinewood Hills. That's where this car really shines.