Forza Horizon 5 is an open-world racing game set across a stunning recreation of Mexico, from jungles and deserts to volcanic mountains and coastal cities. With over 800 cars spanning every category from hypercars to off-road trucks, the game offers arcade-accessible handling with deep tuning systems for enthusiasts. Seasonal Playlists rotate weekly challenges and exclusive rewards, keeping the game fresh years after launch. The Horizon Open multiplayer and EventLab custom race creator provide endless content beyond the campaign.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jesko (Hypercar) | S | Speed Demon | The fastest car in the game with a theoretical top speed of 330+ mph. |
| Hoonigan RS200 (Rally) | A | Off-Road Specialist, Rally Champion | Arguably the best all-around car in the game. |
| Toyota AE86 (Drift) | A | Drift Builder | The quintessential drift car with perfect weight balance and predictable rear-end behavior. |
| Ford Bronco (Off-Road) | B | Off-Road Specialist | The best dedicated off-road vehicle for cross-country events. |
| McLaren F1 (Vintage) | B | Street Racer | A barn find that becomes one of the best S1-class cars when properly tuned. |
S-Tier: Jesko (Hypercar)
The fastest car in the game with a theoretical top speed of 330+ mph. The 1,600HP twin-turbo V8 makes it unmatched on speed zones and highway runs. Difficult to control at max speed — requires a precise highway tune to keep it stable.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Speed Demon |
| Key Mechanic | seasonal playlist |
| Recommended Build | Street Racer |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Jesko (Hypercar): Pairs naturally with Street Racer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Hoonigan RS200 (Rally)
Arguably the best all-around car in the game. AWD with 800HP makes it dominant in cross-country, dirt racing, and even some street events. The community tune by 'DJS' is legendary — download it and dominate every off-road event.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Off-Road Specialist, Rally Champion |
| Key Mechanic | car tuning system |
| Recommended Build | Off-Road Specialist |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Hoonigan RS200 (Rally): Pairs naturally with Off-Road Specialist thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Toyota AE86 (Drift)
The quintessential drift car with perfect weight balance and predictable rear-end behavior. Low power (200HP stock) means drifts are controlled rather than chaotic. Every drift builder starts here before moving to higher-power platforms.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Drift Builder |
| Key Mechanic | Horizon Open racing |
| Recommended Build | Drift Builder |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Toyota AE86 (Drift): Pairs naturally with Drift Builder thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Ford Bronco (Off-Road)
The best dedicated off-road vehicle for cross-country events. High ground clearance and long suspension travel absorb terrain that bottoms out lower cars. Upgraded to A-class, it competes with cars costing 10x more.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Off-Road Specialist |
| Key Mechanic | skill point chains |
| Recommended Build | Speed Demon |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Ford Bronco (Off-Road): Pairs naturally with Speed Demon thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: McLaren F1 (Vintage)
A barn find that becomes one of the best S1-class cars when properly tuned. The center-driving position is unique, and its naturally aspirated V12 sounds incredible. Competitive in road racing with a well-balanced tune.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Street Racer |
| Key Mechanic | barn find restoration |
| Recommended Build | Rally Champion |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using McLaren F1 (Vintage): Pairs naturally with Rally Champion thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Guanajuato
- Hoonigan RS200 (Rally) → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Toyota AE86 (Drift) → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Jesko (Hypercar) → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Download community tunes instead of building your own until you understand the tuning system — search for tunes with 'grip' or 'meta' in the name.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Forza Horizon 5 Guides
- Forza Horizon 5 Forza Horizon 5 Overview
- Forza Horizon 5 Best Builds
- Forza Horizon 5 Tier List
- Forza Horizon 5 Walkthrough
- Forza Horizon 5 Beginner's Guide
- Forza Horizon 5 Tips & Tricks
- Forza Horizon 5 Combat Guide
- Forza Horizon 5 Boss Guide
- Forza Horizon 5 Maps & Locations
- Forza Horizon 5 Crafting Guide
- Forza Horizon 5 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Forza Horizon 5, check out these related guides:
- Stardew Valley Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
- Satisfactory Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
- The Sims 4 Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
