Ward concluded that Test Drive 5 "comes really close to greatness, and then veers off sharply at the last minute. The game's solid handling, great car selection, and passable graphics are all ruined by the fact that computer-controlled cars can pitch you off the road at any given moment and by the fact that even with the fastest cars at your disposal, you'll probably find yourself struggling to keep up with the slowest computer opponents."
Ward determined that Test Drive 5 "is very close to greatness but ultimately falls short. The game's solid handling, great car selection, and passable graphics are compromised by the fact that computer-controlled cars can easily send you off the road at any moment and even with the fastest cars available, you'll likely find yourself struggling to keep up with the slowest computer opponents."