Picture this: it's late 2026, and you've just booted up the latest Forza Horizon. The screen glows, the bass thumps, and then it happens—the starter car choice. For series veterans, this moment is pure nostalgia. Since 2012, the franchise has handed over the keys to 14 distinct machines, each with its own personality, quirks, and, let's be honest, a few that made you wonder if you'd accidentally selected "Hard Mode." Only 13 of those can still be found roaming the wilds of Forza Horizon 5 (the 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35is is MIA, but we'll get to that heartbreaker later).
Curious which starter cars deserve a permanent spot in your digital garage, and which ones are better off gathering dust? We've ranked every single one from the bottom of the barrel to the cream of the crop. Buckle up—it's going to be a bumpy, hilarious ride.
10. 1995 Volkswagen Corrado VR6 – The Forgettable First Date
Oh, the Corrado. It's the car that got the whole party started in 2012's original Forza Horizon, and for that, we owe it a round of applause. Then you actually drive it, and the clapping stops. With 145 mph on the clock and a 0-60 time that could be measured with a sundial (6.7 seconds), this retro hatchback is the definition of "meh." It's not fast, it's not nimble, and it doesn't even have the decency to be memorably bad like a soapbox racer. The Corrado VR6 is the automotive equivalent of plain toast—gets the job done, but nobody's writing home about it. If this car could talk, it would probably just sigh and mumble something about early retirement.
Yeah, not exactly a barn burner. Moving on.
9. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe – The Muscle-Bound Showboat
When you think of American muscle, the '69 Camaro SS is exactly what pops into your head: a snarling, V8-powered brute that looks like it eats lesser cars for breakfast. It'll hit 139 mph and smash 0-60 in 6.4 seconds, which is respectable. But the moment you try to turn, the Camaro remembers it's a heavy chunk of Detroit iron and decides to understeer into next week. Its handling is so dreadful that you'll start planning your corners three business days in advance. At least in a straight line, this thing is a drag strip hero. Slap on some slicks, and you've got yourself a budget rocket.
It's the automotive version of a bodybuilder who skipped leg day—all show, no subtlety.
8. 1969 Dodge Charger R/T – The Old-School Bruiser
1969 was clearly a banner year for cars that go "vroom" and not much else. The Charger R/T is a Forza Horizon 4 starter car and a rolling piece of history. It'll nudge 141 mph and crack the 0-60 sprint in 6 seconds flat, which in the muscle car world is like finding a gold nugget in your cornflakes. The handling is... well, you've heard this tune before: it's a boat. But unlike the Camaro, the Charger has a certain movie-star swagger. You can almost hear the distant echo of a roaring crowd as you clip an apex—or, more likely, plow straight through it. As a drag racer, though, it's a certified monster.
...and honestly, who needs corners when you look this good?
7. 2000 Nissan Silvia Spec-R – The Drift King in Training
Now we're talking. The Silvia Spec-R from Forza Horizon 3 became an instant cult favorite, and it's easy to see why. It's got a top speed of 157 mph and a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds, but those numbers are just the appetizer. This little rear-wheel-drive gem is a tuner's playground. With some love and a touch of mechanical witchcraft, the Silvia transforms into a drift missile that can slide around corners like a figure skater on butter. In stock form, it's punchy enough to have fun, but its real personality shines when you ditch the factory settings. If you've ever wanted to go sideways for 400 yards while grinning like a fool, this is your ride.
Nissan, please bring back the Silvia—we promise we'll treat it right.
6. 1998 Toyota Supra RZ – The Turbocharged Legend
Is that a...? Yes, it's the Supra. Starter car in Forza Horizon 2 and still a fan darling in 2026, the RZ needs no introduction. It sprints to 60 in 5.3 seconds and tops out at 176 mph, which is quick enough to raise eyebrows but not exactly supercar territory. What makes the Supra special is its endless appetite for turbochargers. You can bolt on so many boosty boys that the engine bay starts looking like a plumber's nightmare, and the car rewards you with explosive speed and a sound that rattles fillings. Whether you're street racing or building a drifting masterpiece, the Supra RZ is the definition of "more is more."
Forget the stats—this car is pure emotional horsepower.
5. 2014 HSV Limited Edition Gen-F GTS Maloo – The Aussie Ute That Could
Australia gave us kangaroos, Vegemite, and this absolute madman of a utility vehicle. The HSV Maloo was a starter car in Forza Horizon 3, perfectly fitting the outback setting. It's a ute with a supercharged V8, a roo bar, and a frankly ridiculous 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds. Top speed? 175 mph. That's right, you can haul furniture and dust supercars in the same trip. In race starts, the Maloo launches harder than a startled wallaby, and despite being in the often-ignored vans and utility category, it dominates with a swagger that’s impossible to ignore. If you're not grinning like an idiot behind the wheel of this thing, check your pulse.
Utility? More like “utterly insane.”
4. 2021 Ford Bronco – The Go-Anywhere Show-Off
At first glance, the Bronco's C-class rating and modest 136 mph top speed scream "rental car." But here's the twist: this Forza Horizon 5 starter car is a dirty, mud-slinging champion in disguise. Its off-road stat is a massive 8.4, which means it laughs at rocks, rivers, and any semblance of paved roads. The 0-60 time of 6.9 seconds won't win a drag race against a bicycle, but that's not the point. The Bronco is built for the wild, where grip is a suggestion and airborne landings are a lifestyle. As a bonus, FH5 gives you all three starter cars eventually, so picking the Bronco at the start is a zero-risk adventure.
Put some chunky tires on this thing and it’ll climb a mountain just to prove it can.
3. 2015 Audi TTS Coupe – The Rally Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
From Forza Horizon 4 comes the Audi TTS, a car that looks like a sleek city cruiser but secretly dreams of dirt. Its stats are a mixed bag: a solid 187 mph top speed and a so-so 5.1-second 0-60 sprint. The handling feels a bit numb for a sports car, which is disappointing until you realize that with an all-wheel-drive tune, this thing morphs into a rally terror. It’s not the sharpest tool in the shed on asphalt, but point it at a muddy trail and the TTS comes alive, carving through corners with surprising poise. It’s like discovering your mild-mannered accountant is a black belt in judo.
Surprisingly, this little Audi has a split personality—and we’re here for the wild side.
2. 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is – The One That Got Away
Pour one out for the Z4 sDrive35is, the only starter car in series history that you can’t drive in Forza Horizon 5. This Forza Horizon 2 jewel is a drop-top roadster that combines elegance with genuine pace: 181 mph flat-out and a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds. But numbers don’t tell the whole story. The Z4 actually handles beautifully, making it one of the best A-class road racers in the entire franchise. Cruising through Mexico with the roof down, warm breeze in your hair, would have been a spiritual experience. Instead, we’re left with memories and a faint sense of longing. Come back, BMW. All is forgiven.
It’s the ex that still makes you smile, even years later.
1. 2017 Ford Focus RS – The Underdog That Stole Our Hearts
And here we are at number one—the 2017 Ford Focus RS from Forza Horizon 4. If you’re not already a believer, it’s time to convert. This hot hatch is criminally underrated. It’ll hit 172 mph, rocket from 0-60 in a neck-snapping 4.4 seconds, and then do something truly special: it’ll keep on gripping. The Focus RS is an all-wheel-drive masterpiece that dances on tarmac and then, without so much as a tire change, goes out and wins a muddy scramble. In a world of super hyper mega cars, the humble Focus RS stands tall simply by being ridiculously good at everything. It’s the starter car that makes you wonder why you’d ever need to upgrade.
Yeah, it’s that good—the kind of car that gives you a goofy grin for the entire session.
From forgettable to phenomenal, the Forza Horizon starter cars have taken us on a journey through automotive personality and pure gaming joy. Whether you’re a nostalgic gearhead or a new player diving into the festival for the first time, these machines are more than just code and pixels—they’re the spark that ignites a lifelong love affair with virtual driving. So, which one are you picking?
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