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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →There isn’t a single objectively best car in Forza Horizon 5: the right choice depends on whether you’re tackling technical road races, chasing top speed, driving dirt, or exploring Mexico. These six role-based picks are drawn from GamesRadar+’s editorial recommendations, not a controlled comparison. Three additional cars are useful first-drive choices for new players, but the game’s starter selection is not an endgame ranking.
How to choose a car in Forza Horizon 5
Performance class and tuning can change how a car feels, and assists and difficulty also affect the driving experience. A recommendation for a particular activity is a starting point, not a guarantee that the car will suit every tune or player. The cars below are organized by role rather than ranked fastest to slowest.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Forza Horizon 5 - For Xbox Series X | $91.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Forza Horizon 5 – Premium Edition – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SeBIPzMvL._SL160_.jpg)
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Forza Horizon 5 – Premium Edition – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows [Digital Code] | $89.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Forza Horizon 6 | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X | $63.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Forza Motorsport 5 (Renewed) | $26.16 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Forza Horizon 4: Standard Edition – Xbox One | $49.44 | Buy on Amazon |
The official Forza roster listed 902 cars as of March 26, 2026. It includes multiple acquisition routes—including Autoshow, Wheelspin, Backstage, seasonal rewards, and DLC—so a car’s presence on the roster does not mean it is free or equally easy to obtain. Check the individual car listing in the official car roster for its current route.
Six cars worth driving for different activities
1. Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Forza Edition (2011): road-racing all-rounder
GamesRadar+ recommends the Forza Edition for its handling, acceleration, launch, and braking, and for road racing as well as open-world activities. It also has a skill-chain bonus. Be sure to distinguish it from the standard Sesto Elemento: the recommendation here is specifically for the Forza Edition, and the two are separate cars with separate acquisition routes. Use the official roster to check the current route for the edition you want.
#1 Best Overall
- Lead breathtaking expeditions across the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
- Explore a world of striking contrast and beauty. Discover living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons, and a towering snow-capped volcano.
- Immerse yourself in a deep campaign with hundreds of challenges that reward you for engaging in the activities you love. Meet new characters and choose the outcomes of their Horizon Story missions.
- Take on awe-inspiring weather events such as towering dust storms and intense tropical storms as Mexico’s unique, dynamic seasons change the world every week. Keep coming back for new events, challenges, collectibles, and rewards, and new areas to explore. No two seasons will ever be the same.
2. Koenigsegg Jesko (2020): high-speed S2 driving
The Jesko is GamesRadar+’s pick for S2 races and speed traps when straight-line speed is the priority. The guide describes it as exceptionally fast without upgrades, but does not provide a controlled benchmark; results will depend on conditions and setup. It is a better fit for high-speed runs than a claim of universal superiority across every course.
3. Porsche Taycan Turbo S (2020): launch and straight-line runs
GamesRadar+ highlights the Welcome Pack version as pre-tuned for speed and launch, making it a distinct option for straight-line driving. Its weight can make it cumbersome on technical street routes. This recommendation specifically concerns the Welcome Pack car, not necessarily the standard Taycan Turbo S; check the roster and your edition before pursuing it.
Rank #2
- REDEMPTION INSTRUCTIONS: Go to "Your Orders" and click "View Order" to receive install code. Xbox: Microsoft Store App --> Redeem --> Input code. Window: Xbox App --> Store --> Redeem --> Input code.
- The Premium Edition includes the Welcome Pack, Car Pass, VIP Membership, Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels expansion, and Forza Horizon 5 Rally Adventure expansion.
- NEW RALLY ADVENTURE EXPANSION - Drive purpose-built rally monsters and conquer the rugged Sierra Nueva. Feel the intensity of massive dust trails and deformable roads in 10 new cars. Play on March 29th, 2023.
- Explore a world of striking contrast and beauty. Discover living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons, and a towering snow-capped volcano.
- Take on awe-inspiring weather events such as towering dust storms and intense tropical storms as Mexico’s unique, dynamic seasons change the world every week. Keep coming back for new events, rewards, and new areas to explore.
4. Hoonigan Ford Escort RS Cosworth WRC (1991): dirt and cross-country
For loose surfaces and cross-country events, GamesRadar+ recommends this Escort. The guide says it is awarded after the first Showcase event; because unlock details can change or depend on game progress, confirm the current in-game route if you are planning around that reward.
5. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR (2008): road-and-dirt flexibility
The Evo X is a useful mixed-terrain recommendation for players who want one car for both road and dirt. GamesRadar+ distinguishes the Welcome Pack’s A-class version from the standard car, so make sure you are comparing the same edition. This is not one of the three cars offered as the initial starter choice.
Rank #3
- DISCOVER JAPAN — Explore Horizon’s largest map ever, set in Japan and packed with dramatic verticality, diverse biomes, and spectacular open‑road driving routes.
- CRUISE ICONIC LOCATIONS — Drive through Tokyo’s city streets, suburbs, docks, and industrial districts in the most expansive urban environment in Horizon history.
- DRIVE 550+ REAL‑WORLD CARS — Collect and customize over 550 licensed vehicles with body kits, Forza Aero, window liveries, and enhanced steering animations.
- BUILD YOUR ESTATE — Purchase beautiful homes across Japan and customize garages to showcase your growing car collection as you rise through the Horizon Festival.
- JOIN THE HORIZON COMMUNITY — Race, cruise, and compete with friends in Time Attack Circuits, Drag Meets, Car Meets, and Horizon multiplayer modes, including Spec Racing Championships.
6. M12S Warthog CST: a different kind of dirt and free-roam drive
GamesRadar+ includes the Warthog among its dirt and free-roam picks. It provides a change of pace from conventional sports cars and rally cars, especially when variety matters more than choosing a road-racing specialist. Check the official roster for its current acquisition classification.
Three starter choices for a first drive
Playground Games’ April 24, 2025 first-drive guide says new players choose among three cars before the first Showcase event. These are useful entry points, not evidence that one is a top endgame car.
Rank #4
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
- Never Race Alone: By learning how you and your friends drive, the power of the cloud delivers real human behavior
- Your Ultimate Car Fantasy: Own and race the cars of your dreams
- Fast and Fair Multiplayer: With Smart Match and trade; matchmaking and Xbox Live dedicated servers, experience epic, fast and competitive multiplayer perfectly suited to your skill and style
- Unprecedented Visual Realism: A new graphics engine recreates thousands of physically-based materials at a level of precision never before possible; the play of light on a perfect coat of paint, the texture of handstitched leather and brushed metal, the history written onto scratched rotors and worn concrete. A world of speed, beauty and danger real enough to touch
- 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe C8: a road-focused starting option.
- 2021 Ford Bronco: an off-road-oriented choice.
- 2020 Toyota GR Supra: a road-car alternative.
The choice is an opening preference, not a permanent commitment to one style of driving. Playground’s guide is titled “First Drive: A Forza Horizon 5 Starting Guide”.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the shortlist does—and does not—establish
These recommendations cover road racing, high-speed runs, dirt, cross-country, and free roam, but they are not a complete, independently verified ten-car ranking. GamesRadar+’s February 3, 2026 guide supports the six named picks above; it does not establish three additional endgame recommendations or provide controlled lap times, win rates, or a universal best-car order. For the underlying editorial picks, see GamesRadar+’s guide to the best Forza Horizon 5 cars.
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Best Value
- Seasons change everything. For the first time in the racing and driving genre, experience dynamic seasons in a shared open-world. Explore beautiful scenery, collect over 450 cars, and become a Horizon Superstar in historic Britain. (Some cars provided by online update.
- Britain like you’ve never seen it. Discover lakes, valleys, castles, and breathtaking scenery all in spectacular native 4K and HDR on Xbox One X and Windows 10.
- Master driving in all seasons. Explore a changing world through dry, wet, muddy, snowy, and icy conditions.
- New content every week. Every week, a new season change brings new themed content, gameplay, challenges, and rewards.
- Go it alone or team up. Play solo or cooperatively. Join team multiplayer for casual fun or ranked teams to take on the best in the world. Xbox live gold (sold separately) required for online multiplayer on Xbox consoles.
Forza Horizon 5 is set in Mexico and launched on November 9, 2021. Xbox lists Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, and PlayStation among its platforms; storefront availability and edition terms can vary. The official Forza page also identifies the Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure expansions. Check the current Xbox product listing and Forza game page for current platform and add-on details.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
