Pixar’s Cars 4 (2025) marks a bold return to the beloved animated franchise that first revved up audiences in 2006. Although the third installment (Cars 3, 2017) seemed like a fitting farewell to Lightning McQueen’s racing legacy, Cars 4 surprises fans with a fresh storyline, deeper emotional beats, and high-speed stakes that fuel both nostalgia and innovation.
Set a few years after the events of Cars 3, Cars 4 follows Lightning McQueen now fully retired from the racetrack and mentoring the next generation of racers at the Rust-eze Training Center. His star pupil, Cruz Ramirez, has become a championship racer in her own right. However, when a mysterious, tech-enhanced racer known only as "Phantom V" begins to dominate global circuits, rumors swirl of illegal modifications and sabotage.
Lightning is pulled out of retirement not to race—but to investigate. Joined by Mater, Cruz, and a few returning favorites like Luigi, Guido, and Sally, they embark on a journey across international race tracks, from Tokyo's neon-lit circuits to the icy mountain roads of Switzerland. The stakes grow higher as they uncover a sinister corporate plot involving autonomous racers threatening to make “drivers” obsolete.
Cars 4 isn’t just a racing movie—it’s an allegory about legacy, human (or rather, car) connection, and the rapid automation of the modern world. The franchise that began as a simple underdog sports story evolves here into a thoughtful reflection on relevance and reinvention.
Visually, Pixar continues to impress. The animation is stunning, especially during international race sequences that combine thrilling speed with stunning cultural detail. The voice cast delivers as expected—Owen Wilson brings a weathered but heartfelt energy to McQueen, and Cristela Alonzo shines again as Cruz.
But what really sets Cars 4 apart is its thematic maturity. McQueen isn’t chasing a trophy; he’s chasing purpose in a world that seems to be leaving him behind. For older fans who grew up with the series, that message hits the hardest.
Some critics might argue that the plot is slightly overstuffed and leans a bit too much into espionage tropes, especially in the second act. However, the payoff is rewarding, and younger viewers will enjoy the fast-paced action while adults pick up on the deeper undertones.
Though Pixar has not officially confirmed a sequel, Cars 4 ends with a quiet teaser: a scene showing Cruz and McQueen watching a group of hybrid AI racers in training, one of which bears a glowing red lightning bolt.
Could this hint at Cars 5: Rise of the Hybrids? If so, the franchise may shift into exploring the ethics of AI, the fading line between machine and consciousness, and a new world where classic racers must coexist—or resist—intelligent automation.
Whether or not this final lap truly is the last, Cars 4 is a worthy addition to Pixar’s garage—a sleek, smart, and soulful ride for fans old and new.
