There are 5 heat levels in a pursuit:

1: Civic police; this is just a basic pursuit.

2: Undercover civic police: this pursuit may include some road blocks.

3: State Police; this pursuit involves roadblocks, rolling blocks and light SUV Rhinos. The units are also stronger.

4: Undercover State Police; in this pursuit state helicopters are deployed, spikes are laid down next to the roadblocks, there are rolling blocks, and there are heavy SUV Rhinos.

5: Federal Units; in this pursuit, federal helicopters are deployed which sweep down and try to you off the road. There are heavy SUV Rhinos, spikes, and rolling blocks. The units in this pursuit are very strong.

*There is also a heat level 6 but this can only be done in the last level. This consists of Sergeant Crosses street racing unit, plus some units from heat level 5 and 4.

**When you complete the game and become the most wanted, heat level 5 will consist of both the federal units and Crosses street racing unit. Crosses street racing unit look like federal units except they have carbon hoods. They will surround you and try to box you in. Cross himself drives a black corvette.