Forza Horizon 5 PC guide: free download, crossplay, fastest cars, full car list (2026)
Forza Horizon 5 launched in November 2021 and somehow just keeps growing. Over 900 cars. PS5 now supported. Forza Horizon 6 dropping this month. And people are still asking the same questions: how do I get it free, does crossplay work, what’s the fastest car?
Here’s the complete answer to all of it.
Forza Horizon 5 free download on PC: the honest breakdown
People searching “Forza Horizon 5 free download PC” usually want 1 of 2 things: a legit free way to play, or a pirated copy.
Let’s cover both.
The legitimate free option: Xbox Game Pass
Forza Horizon 5 Free Download is available through Xbox Game Pass, where you can play it at no additional cost beyond the subscription. It runs on Windows PC, Xbox consoles, and streams via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
PC Game Pass costs around $9.99/month and gives you access to hundreds of games including FH5. That’s the real “free download” people are looking for. You get the full game, all updates, and online play. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can play the full game at no additional cost.
If you’ve never subscribed before, Microsoft has offered 1-month trials for $1 in the past. Worth checking the Xbox website directly.
What about Steam?
Forza Horizon 5 is available on Steam. A Microsoft account is required for cross-platform play. It’s a paid purchase on Steam with no free trial, but Steam sales do happen.
The pirated version question
Pirated copies of FH5 circulate on sites like SteamRIP and others. They’ll get you offline play. But you lose all online features, seasonal content, car updates, and risk malware. Given that the legit Game Pass route is $10/month and includes 400+ other games, piracy makes almost no sense here financially.
How to get Forza Horizon 5 DLCs for free
There are a few legitimate routes.
1. Festival Playlist rewards
Some vehicles can only be won as Wheelspin rewards, as prizes from completing goals in the Festival Playlist, or by completing accolades. Every week, Playground Games runs seasonal challenges. Completing them earns points, and points unlock free cars including cars that would normally cost credits.
2. Backstage Shop
As of March 2026, every previous Festival Playlist-exclusive car and every car participating in any Backstage Vote is now available to collect from the Backstage Shop. This is a big deal. Cars that were time-locked for years are now permanently accessible.
3. Barn Finds
Barn Find cars are free once you track them down on the map. They’re scattered across Mexico and unlock through story progression. A solid way to fill out your garage without spending credits.
4. Car Mastery perks
Certain vehicles can unlock additional cars through Car Mastery skill trees. Buy a car, build its skill tree, and sometimes you earn a related vehicle as a reward.
What you can’t get for free
Paid DLC car packs (like the Rally Adventure expansion or Hot Wheels DLC) require purchase. The Car Pass is included in the Premium Edition but sold separately otherwise. If you’re on Game Pass, you get the base game but still need to buy expansions separately.
Is Forza Horizon 5 crossplay?
Yes, and it’s now broader than it’s ever been.
Forza Horizon 5 Download Free has full crossplay. PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC players can all race together via Windows and Steam regardless of which platform they’re on.
The PS5 version launched in April 2025 with full feature parity and cross-play. It requires linking a Microsoft account for online play.
So as of 2026, the full crossplay list is:
- Xbox Series X/S
- Xbox One
- Windows PC (Microsoft Store)
- Windows PC (Steam)
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Cloud Gaming (mobile/browser via Game Pass Ultimate)
Crossplay in FH5 is on by default as soon as you unlock online multiplayer, which happens shortly after getting your first house and completing your first Expedition.
Cross-save is a different story
Cross-progression doesn’t work between the PS5 and Xbox/PC versions. PS5 players maintain a separate save file. Xbox and Microsoft Store PC share progress. Steam PC does not sync with Xbox.
So if you’re planning to play across multiple platforms, Xbox + Microsoft Store PC is the cleanest setup.
Can you turn crossplay off?
Yes. Players can disable crossplay in settings to race only against people on the same platform, though this will likely increase queue times.
Fastest car in Forza Horizon 5 (2026)
This one’s settled. As of 2025, the fastest car in Forza Horizon 5 is the Koenigsegg Jesko, which remains the ultimate speed machine despite various game updates and new vehicle additions.
With proper tuning, the Jesko can exceed 310 mph. Stock it’s already the fastest car in the game by top speed rating.
Here are the cars worth knowing:
Koenigsegg Jesko (2020) The fastest car in the game for straight-line top speed. Price: 2,800,000 CR. Speed rating: 10/10. Handling: 10/10. Acceleration: 6.9. Tuned for drag, nothing touches it.
Hennessey Venom F5 The Hennessey Venom F5 is from the American hypercar class with a top speed of 301 mph. It’s equipped with a twin-turbo V8 engine producing 1,817 hp and can go from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds.
Rimac Nevera The Rimac Nevera scores 968 overall (S2 class), with 9.0 Speed and 9.2 Acceleration. It’s electric, which means instant torque off the line. For drag racing, it can compete with the Jesko depending on launch technique.
Koenigsegg Agera RS The Agera RS can reach a top speed of 443 km/h (275 mph) and is one of the fastest cars in the Koenigsegg lineup available in the game.
For drag specifically
The Chevy COPO Camaro 2018, when fully tuned, dominates drag strips with sub-2 second 0-60 times. Top speed matters less in drag; launch and acceleration are everything.
One thing people get wrong about the fastest car
The Jesko is fastest in a straight line. For actual racing across Mexico’s mixed terrain, roads, dirt, altitude changes, a well-tuned AWD car often wins races that the Jesko loses. The fastest car and the best race car are usually different vehicles.
Forza Horizon 5 car list: how big is it?
Big. Very big.
The Forza Horizon 5 car list includes 899 cars available to unlock, plus 3 more from limited-time product promotions, for a total of 902 cars.
The game launched with over 500 cars. With post-launch updates, Forza Horizon 5 has matched or surpassed its predecessor in sheer number of cars available, with plenty of new-to-Forza vehicles included.
Playground Games adds new cars monthly through seasonal content, DLC car packs, and limited-time events. The car list as of early 2026 covers over 100 manufacturers.
How cars are organized in-game
Cars are assigned a rarity: Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary, and Forza Edition. Cars can be purchased from the Autoshow and the Auction House, won from Wheelspins, earned via Festival Playlist goals, or unlocked through Car Mastery skill trees.
Forza Edition cars are special variants with built-in upgrade presets and a gameplay progression perk attached. They’re worth hunting down if you find them in the Backstage Shop or Auction House.
Car types in the roster
The 902 cars span everything from 1930s classics to 2024 hypercars. Rough breakdown by category:
- American muscle (Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette)
- European supercars (Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Koenigsegg)
- Japanese sports (Nissan GT-R, Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7, Honda NSX)
- Off-road trucks and SUVs (Ford Raptor, Jeep Gladiator, Land Rover Defender)
- Hot Wheels cars (DLC expansion)
- Rally cars (Rally Adventure DLC)
Should you buy FH5 now or wait for FH6?
Worth knowing: Forza Horizon 6 is coming May 19, 2026 to Xbox Series X/S and PC via the Xbox App and Steam. Game Pass Ultimate members get it included at no extra cost. FH6 is set in Japan with over 550 cars at launch.
If you’re on Game Pass, play both. If you’re buying outright and haven’t played FH5 yet, it’s probably $20-30 on sale now and has 4.5 years of content updates behind it. Hard to argue against that value.
Minimum PC requirements
Before downloading, check your specs:
| Setting | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel i5-4460 / AMD Ryzen 3 | Intel i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 970 / AMD RX 470 | Nvidia GTX 1070 / AMD RX 590 |
| Storage | 110 GB | 110 GB SSD |
The game is well-optimized. Most mid-range PCs from 2018 onward can handle 1080p at medium settings without issues.
Forza Horizon 5 (FAQ)
Is Forza Horizon 5 free to download on PC?
The base game requires purchase on Steam or the Microsoft Store. The cheapest legal option is Xbox PC Game Pass at around $9.99/month, which includes FH5 and hundreds of other games. There’s no standalone free version.
How do I get Forza Horizon 5 DLC for free?
Complete Festival Playlist challenges each season to earn cars and cosmetics for free. The Backstage Shop (updated March 2026) now stocks all previous playlist-exclusive cars permanently. Barn Finds and Car Mastery perks also unlock cars at no credit cost.
Is Forza Horizon 5 crossplay between Xbox and PC?
Yes. Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows PC (both Microsoft Store and Steam), PS5, and Xbox Cloud Gaming all support crossplay. You need a Microsoft account linked on any platform to join cross-platform lobbies.
What is the fastest car in Forza Horizon 5 in 2026?
The Koenigsegg Jesko. It has a 10/10 speed rating and exceeds 310 mph with proper tuning. For drag racing specifically, the Chevy COPO Camaro 2018 or Rimac Nevera can outperform it in short-distance launches.
How many cars does Forza Horizon 5 have?
902 cars as of early 2026, across more than 100 manufacturers. The list grows monthly through seasonal content and DLC car packs.
Does FH5 have cross-save between PS5 and Xbox?
No. PS5 maintains a separate save file from Xbox and PC. Cross-progression works between Xbox consoles and Microsoft Store PC, but not Steam PC or PS5.