GTA VI map vs GTA V: Size, cities, and features compared
Rockstar Games has finally peeled back the curtain on GTA 6, and one thing is crystal clear—Vice City isn’t just back, it’s massive.
While Grand Theft Auto V gave players a sprawling, sun-soaked sandbox in Los Santos, GTA VI looks ready to crush it in both scale and density. But how do the two maps actually compare? Let’s break it down.
GTA V: A legacy built on Los Santos and Blaine County
Released in 2013, GTA V‘s map was a technical marvel. It offered:
- 81 square kilometers of playable area
- A mix of urban sprawl (Los Santos) and rural wilderness (Blaine County)
- Mountains, deserts, oceans, and one of the most memorable cities in gaming history
At the time, it was the biggest open world Rockstar had ever created. The freedom was unmatched—players could fly, drive, dive, and wreak havoc from the Vinewood Hills to the Alamo Sea.
But compared to what GTA VI is teasing? It’s starting to feel… small.
GTA VI: Vice City 2.0 is a beast
According to leaks, insider reports, and even frame-by-frame trailer analysis, GTA VI’s version of Leonida (aka modern-day Florida) is set to more than double the size of GTA V’s map.
Here’s what we know so far:
- Estimated over 140 square kilometers, based on trailer deep-dives
- Vice City, inspired by Miami, is just the beginning
- Multiple surrounding towns, swamps, highways, islands, and even the Everglades
- A dynamic, evolving world that may grow through live updates post-launch
Rockstar is seemingly going quantity and quality—lush details, dense urban areas, wildlife behavior, and crowd realism that makes Los Santos look like a beta test.
What makes GTA VI’s map feel bigger?
It’s not just about size. GTA VI’s world feels alive in a way GTA V could only dream of.
- NPCs with complex routines
- Viral moments: a woman twerking on top of a car mid-traffic jam (yes, that’s canon now)
- A deeper Florida feel, from gator-infested swamps to neon-lit beach parties
- Immersive weather, dynamic lighting, and destructible environments
This is not just a larger map—it’s a smarter, more reactive one.
Will GTA V players feel lost in GTA VI?
Not lost—but definitely outgrown. GTA V still holds up, especially with GTA Online, but when GTA VI drops, it might make Los Santos feel like a ghost town.
Expect a learning curve, a wave of memes, and plenty of “I remember when we had to fly to Sandy Shores for chaos” nostalgia.
TL;DR: GTA VI is eating GTA V for breakfast
| Feature | GTA V | GTA VI (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Map Size | ~81 km² | ~140+ km² |
| Main City | Los Santos | Vice City (modern Miami) |
| Biomes | Desert, city, mountain | Swamp, urban, islands, tropical |
| NPC AI | Basic | Advanced, reactive |
| Expansion Plans | Static map | Live-service world growth |
Final thoughts
Rockstar isn’t just raising the bar—they’re launching it into orbit. If GTA V was the king of open-world design for a decade, GTA VI looks ready to rewrite the rules.
Now the only question is: can your console handle it?