Understanding the Upgrade System
Every vehicle in Hill Climb Racing can be upgraded across four key components. Each part has 20 upgrade levels, and costs increase progressively with each level. Smart upgrade management is crucial for efficient progression.
Upgrade Parts Explained
Engine
What it does: Increases acceleration and climbing power
Why it matters: A powerful engine helps you:
- Climb steep hills without losing momentum
- Accelerate faster from a standstill
- Maintain speed on uphill sections
- Recover quickly after landing from jumps
Best for: Stages with many steep inclines (Desert, Volcano, Cave)
Suspension
What it does: Improves landing stability and shock absorption
Why it matters: Better suspension means:
- Smoother landings from big jumps
- Less chance of flipping on rough terrain
- Better control over bumpy surfaces
- Reduced bounce-back effect
Best for: All stages, especially those with lots of jumps (Moon, Alien Planet)
Tires
What it does: Enhances grip and traction on all surfaces
Why it matters: High-quality tires provide:
- Better grip on steep slopes
- Improved traction on slippery surfaces
- Faster acceleration from standstill
- Better control during turns
Best for: Slippery stages (Arctic, Beach) and steep terrain (Desert, Volcano)
4WD (Four-Wheel Drive)
What it does: Distributes power to all wheels for better traction
Why it matters: 4WD gives you:
- Superior climbing ability on steep hills
- Better control on uneven terrain
- Improved stability during acceleration
- Enhanced performance in difficult conditions
Best for: Technical stages with varied terrain (Cave, Alien Planet, Volcano)
Complete Cost Breakdown
Cost Per Level (All Parts)
| Level Range | Cost Per Upgrade | Cumulative Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 1,000 coins | 1,000 |
| Level 2 | 1,500 coins | 2,500 |
| Level 3 | 2,000 coins | 4,500 |
| Level 4 | 3,000 coins | 7,500 |
| Level 5 | 5,000 coins | 12,500 |
| Level 6 | 7,000 coins | 19,500 |
| Level 7 | 9,000 coins | 28,500 |
| Level 8 | 11,000 coins | 39,500 |
| Level 9 | 13,000 coins | 52,500 |
| Level 10 | 15,000 coins | 67,500 |
| Level 11 | 18,000 coins | 85,500 |
| Level 12 | 21,000 coins | 106,500 |
| Level 13 | 25,000 coins | 131,500 |
| Level 14 | 30,000 coins | 161,500 |
| Level 15 | 35,000 coins | 196,500 |
| Level 16 | 42,000 coins | 238,500 |
| Level 17 | 50,000 coins | 288,500 |
| Level 18 | 60,000 coins | 348,500 |
| Level 19 | 70,000 coins | 418,500 |
| Level 20 | 75,000 coins | 493,500 |
Total Costs Summary
- Single Part to Max Level: ~500,000 coins
- All Four Parts (One Vehicle): ~2,000,000 coins
- Early Levels (1-10): ~270,000 coins (all parts)
- Late Levels (11-20): ~1,730,000 coins (all parts)
Optimal Upgrade Strategies
Strategy 1: Balanced Approach (Recommended for Beginners)
Upgrade all four parts evenly, keeping them within 2-3 levels of each other.
Advantages:
- Well-rounded vehicle performance
- No weak points in your setup
- Flexible for different stages
- Easier to adapt to various terrains
Progression: 5-5-5-5 → 10-10-10-10 → 15-15-15-15 → 20-20-20-20
Strategy 2: Suspension First (Recommended for Most Players)
Max out suspension first, then focus on other parts.
Advantages:
- Dramatically improves survival rate
- Better control on all terrain
- Smoother gameplay experience
- Prevents frustrating flips
Progression: 20-5-5-5 → 20-15-15-15 → 20-20-20-20
Strategy 3: Engine Priority (For Experienced Players)
Focus on engine for maximum climbing power and speed.
Advantages:
- Faster coin farming
- Better performance on difficult stages
- Higher potential for long runs
- More aggressive playstyle
Progression: 5-20-5-5 → 15-20-15-15 → 20-20-20-20
Strategy 4: Budget Optimization (For Efficient Progression)
Upgrade to level 10-12 on all parts before pushing to max.
Advantages:
- Most cost-effective performance gains
- Allows upgrading multiple vehicles
- Better return on investment
- Faster overall progression
Progression: 10-10-10-10 → 12-12-12-12 → (move to next vehicle or max out)
Stage-Specific Upgrade Recommendations
Countryside
- Priority: Engine > Tires > Suspension > 4WD
- Minimum Levels: 10-8-8-6 for good performance
Desert
- Priority: Suspension > 4WD > Engine > Tires
- Minimum Levels: 12-10-12-10 for consistent runs
Arctic
- Priority: Tires > Suspension > Engine > 4WD
- Minimum Levels: 15-12-10-8 for icy control
Moon
- Priority: Suspension > Engine > Tires > 4WD
- Minimum Levels: 15-12-10-8 for low-gravity mastery
Cave
- Priority: 4WD > Suspension > Engine > Tires
- Minimum Levels: 12-15-12-12 for tight spaces
Volcano
- Priority: Engine > 4WD > Suspension > Tires
- Minimum Levels: 15-15-12-10 for steep climbs
Coin Efficiency Tips
Early Game (0-100,000 coins)
- Focus on upgrading your Jeep to level 10 on all parts
- Don’t buy new vehicles until your Jeep is well-upgraded
- Prioritize Suspension and Engine first
Mid Game (100,000-500,000 coins)
- Buy Monster Truck (100,000) or Motocross Bike (50,000)
- Upgrade new vehicle to level 10-12 on all parts
- Start farming Moon stage with Motocross Bike
Late Game (500,000+ coins)
- Invest in Super Offroad (400,000) for versatility
- Max out your main farming vehicle completely
- Collect other vehicles for variety
Common Upgrade Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Buying Too Many Vehicles Early
Problem: Spreading coins across multiple weak vehicles Solution: Fully upgrade 1-2 vehicles before buying more
❌ Ignoring Suspension
Problem: Constantly flipping and losing runs Solution: Always keep suspension at or above other parts’ levels
❌ Maxing Out One Part First
Problem: Unbalanced vehicle performance Solution: Keep all parts within 5 levels of each other
❌ Upgrading Past Level 15 Too Early
Problem: Diminishing returns on investment Solution: Get multiple vehicles to level 12-15 first
❌ Not Matching Upgrades to Stage
Problem: Wasting coins on unnecessary upgrades Solution: Prioritize upgrades based on your main farming stage
Upgrade Progression Roadmap
Phase 1: Foundation (0-50,000 coins)
- Jeep: All parts to level 8
- Focus: Learn game mechanics
Phase 2: Specialization (50,000-200,000 coins)
- Jeep: All parts to level 12
- Buy Motocross Bike: Upgrade to level 10
- Focus: Start Moon stage farming
Phase 3: Optimization (200,000-500,000 coins)
- Motocross Bike: Max out for Moon farming
- Buy Monster Truck: Upgrade to level 12
- Focus: Efficient coin generation
Phase 4: Mastery (500,000+ coins)
- Buy Super Offroad: Max out completely
- Max out 2-3 favorite vehicles
- Focus: Collection completion and records
Pro Tips
- Always upgrade in multiples of 5 levels for psychological satisfaction and clear milestones
- Track your coin-per-run rate before and after upgrades to measure effectiveness
- Test new upgrade levels on your favorite stage to feel the difference
- Save 50,000 coins as emergency fund before major purchases
- Upgrade during coin farming sessions to maintain momentum and motivation
Remember: The upgrade system rewards patience and strategic planning. Don’t rush to max everything – enjoy the progression journey!