Experienced and beginner drivers may wonder, what are the absolute best handling cars in Forza Horizon 5? Well, today, we’re going to answer that question by ranking the top options in the entire roster of Horizon 5. This list will not only take into account a car’s handling score but also the other factors that contribute to a car’s performance, such as its acceleration, braking, and others.
Forza Horizon features a whole spectrum of different driving environments, and car handling is an important stat in every one of them. This is because it determines how the car behaves when it comes to slow technical maneuvers and high-speed situations. You will also notice how much more fun you have in cars with good handling, thanks to the amount of control you get.
Best Handling Cars In Forza Horizon 5
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
Rating: S2 936
Manufacturer: Lamborghini
Price: 2,500,00 CR
Handling: 10
Braking: 10
Speed: 7.8
Launch: 10
Weight: 2202 lbs (999 kg)
The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is the absolute best handling car in Forza Horizon 5. It is crazy to see all its stats (apart from speed) being at the maximum. Also, these are the stats from the stock version of the car. So, you are able to tune the car further to get an even higher performance. Top tunings will have the car going 0-100 mph in 5.2 seconds and reach a max speed of over 270 mph.
The success of this car’s exceptional handling comes from its power-to-weight ratio. Add this to its all-wheel drive setup, and it becomes one of the fastest-accelerating cars in the entire Forza Horizon series (this car has featured in every game apart from FH2). Thanks to all these elements, you will rarely see wheelspin from fast acceleration, making it ideal for drivers who find standing starts difficult.
In addition to its power and weight, the braking system is also top-class. This final stat completes all the necessary elements needed to have the best all-around handling race car. So, whether it’s in a straight line or around a tight track, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will be the easiest car to control in the game.
Koenigsegg CCGT
Rating: S2 965
Manufacturer: Koenigsegg
Price: N/A (Wheelspin, Auction House, or Forzathon Shop)
Handling: 10
Braking: 10
Speed: 7.8
Launch: 7.1
Weight: 2425 lbs (1100 kg)
The Koenigsegg CCGT is a contender for the top stop and comes under the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento due to its launch stats. Many drivers may prefer this car thanks to its speed and rare nature. With additional tuning, the Koenigsegg CCGT can reach over 280 mph, a bit faster than the top option.
You cannot purchase the car from the Autoshow. Instead, you can only get it through Wheelspins or the Auction House. The car did appear in the Forzathon shop in Series 3 and 12, so it may make an appearance again soon. If you do see it in the Auction House, then it is likely to go for the maximum price, which is 20 million credits.
The Koenigsegg CCGT has featured in real-life motorsports, debuting in the FIA GT Championship. However, two months after its first runs, the FIA GT1 regulations were changed, and the car was prohibited from racing due to the public’s availability of this car.
Thanks to Koenigsegg, we get to drive this incredible piece of technology in-game. Anyone who owns this car will tell you it’s one of the most enjoyable driving experiences in the entire game. You can do particular tunings, especially for the car’s grip. These result in incredible handling in FH5, making it a very close second to the Lambo SE.
Apollo Intensa Emozione
Rating: S2 963
Manufacturer: Apollo
Price: 1,500,000 CR
Handling: 10
Braking: 10
Speed: 7.4
Launch: 8.4
Weight: 2756 lbs (1250 kg)
The Apollo Intensa Emozione is right up there with the best handling in Forza Horizon 5. The Intensa Emozione (Italian for intense emotion) is the first car produced by German manufacturer Apollo. It combines a 6.3L V12 engine with a body almost entirely made of carbon fiber, which is influenced by the aerodynamics of insects. This produces a mean car both inside and out. I particularly love the rearview, which you see if you drive in a third-person camera.
Driving the Apollo IE is so much fun. It feels like a proper race car with excellent handling and braking abilities. Also, its launch and acceleration stat is higher than the CCGT, meaning you can get off the mark and out of sharp corners quicker. But you will lack the top speed of both cars above on this list. The Apollo IE can reach 270 mph just about with the best tuning setup.
An alternate version of the Apollo IE comes in the “Welcome Pack” DLC. This S2 998-rated car comes with higher stats and is also a competitor for the top spot of this list. You will notice a boost in performance, but it only makes a slight difference to how the car performs in races.
Brabham BT62
Rating: S2 974
Manufacturer: Brabham BT62
Price: 1,500,000 CR
Handling: 10
Braking: 10
Speed: 7.3
Launch: 8.9
Weight: 2349 lbs (1065 kg)
The Brabham BT62 is considered one of the meta cars in Forza Horizon 5. The combination of its acceleration, launch, and braking gives this car an unfair advantage over most of the vehicles in FH5. This car comes with the Hot Wheels expansion DLC, so you can only buy the car once you have completed the relevant challenge.
Many FH fans are annoyed that this car is featured in the game as they say it is a P2W (pay-to-win) option where you have to buy the DLC. People get frustrated that this car features in online races where the skill needed to drive is minimal, thanks to its excellent handling. However, other vehicles on this list can perform similarly depending on the driver behind the wheel.
It can reach up to 270 mph when fully tuned. This is similar to other cars on this list, but its launch and acceleration make it more impactful. In addition, the downforce generated allows it to stick like glue to the track when handling corners at high speed. If you want the Hot Wheels DLC (which is extremely fun), you have to pick up this car as well.
Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro
Rating: S2 953
Manufacturer: Aston Martin
Price: 2,000,000 CR
Handling: 9.6
Braking: 10
Speed: 7.7
Launch: 7.0
Weight: 2998 lbs (1360 kg)
The Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro is a fan favorite when considering the best-handling cars in FH5. The Vulcan series is a heavyweight in the Aston Martin lineup, raising the bar in performance and motor technology. The AMR Pro was unveiled in 2017, adding a 27% increase to the car’s downforce performance. This, in turn, has an incredible effect on the car’s handling in high-speed situations.
Even though it may have slightly worse stats than the cars above, it is still in contention for taking the top spot. It can be hard to judge cars at this top level as the stats can be fairly inaccurate when considering all that goes into a good race car. The combination of all aspects of the Vulcan AMR Pro leaves many drivers claiming it’s one of the best cars in the game.
The grip and control in the corners are the first points you’ll notice driving this car in FH5. It almost feels like an F1 car because of how it sticks to tight corners at high speed. This is ideal for the majority of the roads around the Mexican-based map. It also is perfect for dodging cars at high speed. On top of this, you won’t feel the car slipping out at all, even when you put the pedal to the metal.
Aston Martin Valhalla Concept
Rating: S2 959
Manufacturer: Aston Martin
Price: 1,150,000 CR
Handling: 9.2
Braking: 9.4
Speed: 8.5
Launch: 10
Weight: 3097 lbs (1405 kg)
Another Aston Martin fighting for the top spot is the Valhalla concept car. This car has higher stats as it pertains to speed, launch, and acceleration, but doesn’t have the same control as the Vulcan. Experienced drivers may prefer this car because the slight reduction of control is not an issue; therefore, the top speed is preferred over maximum control. But, if we consider handling alone, the Vulcan provides a more controlled driving experience.
The Valhalla was created as the more condensed version of the Valkyrie, the fastest and most advanced Aston Martin in their lineup. By reducing certain elements in the car’s production, the Valhalla is much easier to tame than the Valkyrie, but it does lack the exciting driving the latter offers.
When throwing both cars around the track, the slightly less powerful Valhalla comes surprisingly close to similar times set by the Valkyrie. Thanks to its increased handling stats, keeping speed throughout the corners and coming out of them is much easier in the Valhalla. So, it all depends on your specific driving style, but the Valhalla is an excellent car across the board.
Porsche 918 Spyder
Rating: S2 920
Manufacturer: Porsche
Price: 850,000 CR
Handling: 8.9
Braking: 9.3
Speed: 8.8
Launch: 10
Weight: 3692 lbs (1675 kg)
The 918 Spyder is a hybrid hypercar designed by Porsche. It fuses two electric motors with a V8 engine to create an incredible feat of engineering. The result is a powerful sports car that became the first street-legal production car to break the 7-minute time on the 20.6 km Nüburgring track.
In Forza Horizon 5, the Porsche 918 Spyder is an absolute blast to drive and is a treasured car for many dedicated Forza Horizon fans. It doesn’t have the same top speeds as the cars above, but these speeds are rarely reached unless on the highways. Thanks to its hybrid engine, its acceleration can compete with these cars, taking you from 0 to 100 mph in 4.9 seconds.
The all-wheel drive setup is where a lot of the control starts. This configuration ensures a reduction of wheelspin, especially on dirt roads. Less wheelspin means stronger acceleration and more control over the car. The additional weight compared to the top cars on this list is why it can be slightly more difficult to handle in the corners. But this car still handles much better than most cars in FH5.
Ferrari 599XX Evolution
Rating: S2 952
Manufacturer: Ferrari
Price: 2,600,000 CR
Handling: 9.8
Braking: 10
Speed: 8.0
Launch: 7.9
Weight: 3010 lbs (1365 kg)
If you are a Ferrari fan, the Ferrari 599XX Evolution is the best handling car for you in Forza Horizon 5. The 599XX Evo is a track-only car, meaning if you own the vehicle in real life, Ferrari holds on to the car for you, and you can only drive it around select race tracks. Thankfully, we can live out our driving dreams in FH5, taking it through Mexico’s vast landscape and even trashing it off-road.
Forza Horizon fans will know this car well, as it was the fastest car in the game in FH4. Although FH5 has new cars that eclipse its speeds, the 599XX Evo still makes an incredible car when considering its speed-to-handling balance. With proper tuning, the 599XX Evo can reach over 270 mph and take corners at ridiculously high speeds.
The main reasons this car is better are the weight reduction and improved aerodynamics compared to the non-evolution 599XX. The focus on these elements, in addition to engine upgrades, allows for better performance in the grip and control of the car.
Jeep Trailcat
Rating: A744
Manufacturer: Jeep
Price: 75,000 CR
Handling: 3.9
Braking: 4.0
Speed: 6.2
Launch: 4.1
Weight: 4600 lbs (2087 kg)
For the final two cars, we will look at two options best suited for specific types of driving. The Jeep Trailcat is the best handling car for cross-country racing in Forza Horizon 5. It may not be the fastest, but it will give you a huge advantage if you struggle to keep your car under control in these race types.
The Jeep Trailcat results from putting a Hellcat engine into a Jeep Wrangler. Throw in a couple of body modifications, and you have an off-road beast made for thrill seekers. It’s not a car for sale in real life, so you can only experience it in Forza Horizon.
Many people seem to hate this car, but with the right tuning, you can use it for both A and S1 classes in cross-country races. The right tuning will make a huge difference, but the overall handling is the best in these environments.
Ford Racing Puma
Rating: C 514
Manufacturer: Ford
Price: 20,000 CR
Handling: 6.3
Braking: 5.8
Speed: 5.7
Launch: 6.0
Weight: 2588 lbs (1174 kg)
Finally, we have the car with the best handling for dirt races — the Ford Racing Puma. The best version of this car is the Ford Racing Puma Forza Edition, which comes with a VIP membership. This car is fully tuned for dirt racing and gives you incredible control in the toughest environments.
If you don’t want to buy a VIP membership, you can always find good tunes online to put your Puma on a similar level. You may pour a lot of money into the perfect build, but it will still be much cheaper than the cars at the top of this list.
With a fully rally-tuned version of this car, you will easily tackle almost all of the dirt races in FH5. It may be different online, as people will sacrifice control for power, but it will be up there with the competition.
Published: Feb 25, 2025 01:57 pm