Summary
- Forza Horizon 5 features a roster of over 800 cars, with many decent options that players can get easy and cheap.
- Ford Mustang GT, Ford Focus RS, and BMW M3 are among the best affordable well-rounded cars with flexible potential for upgrades.
- Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, Sierra Cars RX3, and Can-Am Maverick are great choices for off-roading, either for racing or exploration of Mexico.
Forza Horizon 5 is officially launching on PS5, welcoming PlayStation players to the series for the first time. With years of content updates and one of the biggest car rosters ever, Forza Horizon 5 could feel overwhelming, but it's nothing more than a first impression. Getting and upgrading new cars in Forza Horizon 5 is generally easy and enjoyable, so every new player can expand their garage in no time to be ready for every racing discipline.
However, there are some definitive vehicle picks that are easy to get and more than worth adding to one's collection as soon as possible. From affordable, well-rounded cars with great potential for upgrades, to powerful off-road monsters and roaring buggies, these are some of the best cars that new Forza Horizon 5 players on PS5 should target among the first.
Forza Horizon 5: Best Muscle Cars
Looking for a powerful, roaring American muscle car to drive in Mexico? These are the best classic, retro, and modern muscle cars in Forza Horizon 5.
All the cars listed are available for purchase directly from the Autoshow and are some of the most affordable in the game, in the sub-50,000 CR price range.
1 Ford Mustang GT 2018
Car Type: Modern Muscle
- Default Rating: A 756
- Price: 40,000 CR
- Top Speed: 191 mph
The iconic, aggressive Ford Mustang GT should be on any Forza Horizon 5 newcomer's wishlist. For its price, the car's stats and upgrading potential are unmatched. For just 40,000 CR, the Ford Mustang GT offers the best raw stats that players can get in the sub-50,000 CR range, ensuring that players will be covered for A and even S1 racing classes with this powerful modern muscle car.
In terms of performance and style, the Ford Mustang GT cannot disappoint. With a top speed of over 190 mph, impressive acceleration, responsive and strong braking, as well as its drifting capabilities, the Mustang GT is a blank canvas with unlimited potential.
2 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 2017
Car Type: Pickups & 4x4's
- Default Rating: С 530
- Price: 46,000 CR
- Top Speed: 148 mph
The enormous, powerful Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 ranks among the best off-road cars in Forza Horizon 5, period. This massive all-wheel-drive pickup received huge tires and a new suspension with an increased ride height, resulting in an impressive and reliable appearance.
8 Best Hypercars In Forza Horizon 5, Ranked
These are some of the best hypercars performance-wise players should prioritize in Forza Horizon 5.
Created as a rival to the massive Ford F-150 Raptor, the in-game Colorado ZR2 is better in every regard, including raw performance, speed, and acceleration, as well as cross-country capabilities and handling responsiveness due to being notably lighter than F-150. Whatever the season of Mexico's harsh weather, or the type of surface under the wheels, it makes no difference for this unstoppable monster.
3 Ford Focus RS 2009
Car Type: Super Hot Hatch
- Default Rating: B 660
- Price: 25,000 CR
- Top Speed: 155 mph
The seemingly unassuming Ford Focus RS isn't to be underestimated. This Super Hot Hatch already cemented its name as the staple of the arcade racing genre and got several aces up its sleeve. First, the Focus RS is perfectly suitable for transforming into a rally car, superior on tarmac, gravel, dirt, and anything in between.
Second, the Focus RS is among the best and highest-performing front-wheel-drive (FWD) rides in Forza Horizon 5, so unless players want to change that, they'll get new experiences from driving, with unmatched stability on the road. Finally, for this price, the Ford Focus RS is a no-brainer, standing among the cheapest cars worth getting in the game without a second thought.
4 Sierra Cars RX3 2021
Car Type: UTV's
- Default Rating: A 737
- Price: 45,000 CR
- Top Speed: 121 mph
For more extreme off-roading events with plenty of turns, players want to get something other than a hulking pickup, so that's where the Sierra Cars RX3 comes in. The highest-performing Utility Terrain Vehicle in its price segment, the Sierra Cars RX3 will provide an adrenaline-pumping experience when exploring Mexico in Forza Horizon 5, different from anything that newcomers can find.
Best Retro Sports Cars In Forza Horizon 5, Ranked
Players looking for a car that combines a stylish retro flair with great performance need not look further than these rides in Forza Horizon 5.
Thanks to its lightweight body of just 420 kg, this single-seater off-roader provides driving sensations akin to a dirt bike with its punchy engine, and shines during mixed-surface rallycross. On top of that, the Sierra Cars RX3 is a perfect choice for conquering jump stunts, or simply toying around with skill chains on many dirt playgrounds in Forza Horizon 5.
5 BMW M3 2008
Car Type: Super Saloons
- Default Rating: A 725
- Price: 48,000 CR
- Top Speed: 186 mph
The BMW M3 is among the most respectable and multipurpose rides for newcomers to the game, with a standout power-price ratio. The car is slightly below the Ford Mustang GT when comparing raw stats while being slightly more expensive. However, it's a fourth-generation BMW we're talking about. Its driving dynamics and overall balance are something else entirely, building upon the rich legacy of Bavarian motors.
Another substantial bonus of the BMW M3 is a full wide-body conversion kit available in Forza Horizon 5. This allows players to instantly boost the car's appearance, aerodynamics, and handling capabilities with an endlessly stylish, track-ready look.
6 Can-Am Maverick X RS Turbo R 2018
Car Type: UTV's
- Default Rating: B 670
- Price: 25,000 CR
- Top Speed: 112 mph
If Sierra Cars RX3 proves a bit too much and unpredictable due to its extreme weight, the Can-Am Maverick X RS Turbo R is a great UTV alternative, with a laughable price tag for its performance and sheer fun that it provides. With few to no competitors in its segment, the Can-Am Maverick is a vehicle that blends the best of UTVs and buggies together, and capable of tackling challenging, rocky terrain with ease.
10 Best Electric Cars In Forza Horizon 5, Ranked
Looking for new sensations from driving in Forza Horizon 5? Try these awesome electric cars available in-game!
While players shouldn't expect groundbreaking speed characteristics from Maverick, this little fella just might become one of their favorites for exploring the wilderness of sand dunes and wet rainforests of Mexico in the initial hours.
7 Hoonigan Chevrolet Napalm Nova 1972
Car Type: Classic Muscle
- Default Rating: A 731
- Price: 50,000 CR
- Top Speed: 185 mph
The Hoonigan Chevrolet Napalm Nova is a unique and affordable car in Forza Horizon 5, standing as a heavily pre-tuned variant of the classic muscle car with rich heritage. The custom design of Napalm Nova is both traditional and modern, but it's all about function first, packing some ridiculous performance by Hoonigan and chewing through tires like a maniac.
This setup isn't built for multi-purpose, but the car shines in all the right places when put on a drag strip. This beast is a bit rough around the edges, but players simply won't find another build quite like Napalm Nova. Given its price, it's a must-have for any driver looking for something untamed.
8 Exomotive Exocet Off-Road 2018
Car Type: Unlimited Buggies
- Default Rating: B 682
- Price: 50,000 CR
- Top Speed: 124 mph
The final off-roading choice among the UTVs listed above, the Exomotive Exocet Off-Road is listed as a buggy. While it's up for debate, with its oversize tires and steel tube chassis, it's just as capable. Forza Horizon 5 players would struggle to find an off-road discipline for Exocet not to shine in, as this package is an ultimate choice for no-compromise, high-speed off-roading while remaining responsive and steerable.
Forza Horizon 5: Best GT Cars
The best cars from GT cars and Super GT classes will blow Forza Horizon 5 players away with their blend of luxury, comfort, and performance.
Purpose-built for taking on whatever surface players throw at it, the Exocet is a charged and uniquely fun way to explore the vastness of Forza Horizon 5's diverse open-world, from sand to snow, and everything in between.
Forza Horizon 5
- Released
- November 9, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone // In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Playground Games
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
