The player character is fully customizable with voice pitch options and extensive clothing/appearance choices, but the core story follows traditional tropes of ambition, heists, and competition without identity politics as the premise. However, the game includes Justicia, a trans woman racer and social media influencer portrayed by trans voice actress Sena Bryer, whose dialogue explicitly addresses defying gender norms in her culture, past male presentation causing anxiety, and embracing authenticity—elements foregrounded in GLAAD's nomination for Outstanding Video Game alongside LGBTQ decals and queer iconography.

This representation is treated as organic to the urban setting yet deliberately highlighted by developers and activists as authentic inclusion. Casting features diverse voice actors including Ashleigh LaThrop as Yaz and Debra Wilson as the mayor, with no established character swaps but intentional modern additions.

Audience reception shows a critic-user gap (Metacritic critics 77 vs. users ~5.9-7.1), with some backlash tied to the representation and corny dialogue, though gameplay complaints dominate. The ideological elements remain noticeable subplots rather than driving the racing focus.