Rally stages span five locations: Fitzroy in Australia, Tarragona in Spain, Michigan in the United States, Värmland in Sweden and Powys in Wales.

[3] Landrush mode returns, featuring stadium trucks and buggy racing, with stages from locations in California, Nevada and Mexico.

[3] Codemasters consulted with rally drivers Kris Meeke and Petter Solberg on the game's handling model.

[5] The developers created DiRT 4's realistic audio by recording engine, intake, exhaust, transmission, and cabin noise.

To capture proper on- and off-throttle for the full rev range of the engine, they recorded cars on-track rather than on a dyno.

Other recorded sounds include rolling surface, gravel kick-up, spring and damper compression, crowds, impacts, weather, and ambient.

[9][10][11] IGN gave the game a 9.2/10: "Accessible yet tough and grimy yet gorgeous, Dirt 4 sets a new standard in rally racing – and its well-considered career mode and endless stages inject it with tremendous stamina.

[18] GameSpot awarded the game a 9/10 and said "if Dirt Rally's punishing difficulty alienated long-time series fans in any way, this commitment to accessibility should help to bring them back, and the near-infinite possibilities of Your Stage should keep them playing.