Welcome to the Fastest, Wildest, Most Stunning Open-World Racing Experience. Stop what you’re doing and prepare yourself—because Forza Horizon 5 is not just a racing game. It’s a full-blown motorsport adventure sprawled across a breathtaking, high-speed map of Mexico. If you’re brand new to the Horizon Festival or even a returning racer looking to refresh your skills, this guide is your ultimate launchpad. Packed with essential tips, strategic guidance, and everything you need to get rolling, this is the most complete beginner’s guide to Forza Horizon 5 you’ll find anywhere.
This game is huge. It’s fast. It’s beautiful. And it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. But don’t worry—we’re about to break it all down, step by step in this best FH5 Boost Guide. Let’s get you ready for the ride of a lifetime.
Choosing the Right Game Edition
Before your tires even hit the road, you need to pick the right version of the game.
- Standard Edition: Base game only.
- Deluxe Edition: Includes the Car Pass (42 additional cars, delivered weekly).
- Premium Edition: Comes with early access, Car Pass, Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure DLCs, Welcome Pack, bonus house, and one free Auto Show car.
If you’re in it for the long haul, the Premium Edition is absolutely worth the extra investment. That Welcome Pack alone can jumpstart your car collection.
Getting Started: Your First Steps in Mexico
Once you launch the game, you’ll be thrown right into the action. A cinematic intro races you through the dramatic Mexican landscape, and you’ll eventually arrive at Horizon Festival Mexico, the base of your operations.
You’ll be asked to choose from one of three starter cars:
- 2021 Ford Bronco
- Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe
- Toyota GR Supra
Don’t overthink it—you’ll eventually get all three. Just pick your favorite and enjoy the intro race.
Understanding the Map and Its Biomes
The Horizon Mexico map is one of the most varied and visually rich in racing game history. You’ll drive through:
- Dense jungles
- Desert plains
- Coastal beaches
- Bustling cities
- Mountainous terrain (including a volcano!)
As you unlock more areas through the campaign, you’ll gain access to themed outposts: Dirt, Road, Street, Cross-Country, and more.
Use the in-game filter to manage map icons so things don’t get too overwhelming. Or, if you want a head start, you can buy the Treasure Map DLC, which reveals all collectible locations like XP boards and Fast Travel boards.
Fine-Tuning Your Driving Settings
Before you dive deep, hit the Settings menu. You’ll find options to adjust:
- Driving assists: Choose from All Assists to none (for max challenge and bonuses).
- Difficulty bonuses: Turning off assists gives you more credits. For example, turning off traction and stability control gives up to a 20% extra bonus per race.
- Accessibility options: Custom HUDs, visual aids, and controller presets make FH5 extremely user-friendly.
Tip: If you’re aiming to improve fast, consider using a mix of assists to suit your comfort while maximizing credit bonuses.
Campaign Progression and the Power of Accolades
Your main single-player progression tool is the Accolades system. Think of it like an achievement tracker, only way more useful. You earn accolades for just about everything—racing, exploring, drifting, taking photos, and more.
Accolades reward you with:
- XP
- Credits
- Clothes
- Cars, including rare ones like the Celica GT4 S220 ST205
- You can also track your Hall of Fame status and compare it with friends.
Festival Playlist: Your Weekly Gateway to Exclusive Rewards
The Festival Playlist is your recurring, four-week seasonal challenge calendar. Each series has four seasons:
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Spring
Each week brings new events with specific goals and rewards. You’ll earn points toward both weekly and series-long rewards, such as:
- Rare cars like the Subaru 22B
Horizon Backstage Passes for ultra-rare vehicle redemptions. To earn points, complete challenges like:
- Forzathon Weekly/Daily tasks
- Seasonal Championships
- PR Stunts (drift zones, speed traps, etc.)
- EventLab creations
- Photo Challenges
- Monthly Rivals and more
Tip: Some events require specific car classes, so keep a variety in your garage.
Forzathon Points and the Forzathon Shop
Separate from Festival Playlist points, Forzathon Points (FP) can be spent in the rotating Forzathon Shop. You earn FP by completing:
- Daily Forzathon Challenges
- Weekly Forzathon Events
- Some accolades and barn finds
Items in the shop include:
- Rare cars
- Wheelspins and Super Wheelspins
- Exclusive cosmetics
- Horizon Backstage Passes
Managing your FP wisely can land you exclusive rewards that may not be available elsewhere.
Building Your Car Collection
There are many ways to build your garage beyond just buying cars.
Where to Get Cars:
- Auto Show: Buy any standard car using in-game credits.
- Wheelspins/Super Wheelspins: Random loot-style rewards.
- Barn Finds: Hidden classic cars scattered throughout the map. Triggered by exploration or missions.
- Accolades: Complete objectives to unlock vehicles.
- Festival Playlist: Complete seasonal challenges.
- Auction House: Buy and sell cars with other players.
- DLC & Car Packs: Includes themed or movie-based vehicles.
Tip: Use the Car Collection screen to track what you have and how to get missing cars.
Car Customization and Tuning
You can modify every car in FH5 in two main areas:
1. Performance Tuning:
- Upgrade engine, transmission, suspension, tires, etc.
- Create power builds, off-road setups, drift monsters—you name it.
2. Car Mastery Trees:
- Spend Skill Points (earned by stylish driving) to unlock:
- XP boosts
- Credit multipliers
- Rare cars
- Wheelspins
- Each car has a unique skill tree, so it pays to explore them all.
3. Aesthetics:
- Paint jobs, liveries, vinyl groups
- Download community designs or create your own
Houses and Fast Travel
Buying homes unlocks game-changing perks. Some of the best include:
- La Casa Solariega: Doubles skill points during Skill Songs.
- Buenas Vistas: Enables fast travel to any road (after unlocking all fast travel boards).
- Each home has its own price and perks. Some come free with the Welcome Pack or can be earned through accolades.
Online and Multiplayer Features
Once you’re comfortable with solo play, step into the vibrant online world.
Horizon Open:
- Ranked/unranked races
- Drift events
- Playground Games (tag, capture the flag, etc.)
The Eliminator:
- Battle Royale-style racing with shrinking maps and head-to-head races.
Convoys and Clubs:
- Team up with friends or join public convoys
- Join clubs to compare stats and collaborate
Gifting:
- Send duplicate or unwanted cars to new players or friends
Creative Hub: Make and Share
If you’re the creative type, FH5 has tools for you.
- EventLab: Design your own races, challenges, or stunts
- Photo Mode: Capture beautiful shots of your rides and surroundings
- Tune & Livery Sharing: Share your custom work with the community
- Super 7: Try out user-created challenge cards. Complete seven in a row for rewards.
DLC: Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure
Two of the most thrilling expansions in FH5 history.
Hot Wheels:
- Sky-high tracks, loops, stunts
- Challenges based on car classes (B to X)
- Bonus cosmetics and collectibles
Rally Adventure:
- Gritty terrain and intense dirt racing
- Missions and rivals
- Unique cars and more depth to dirt racing events
- Each expansion has its own map and progression system.
PR Stunts: Push Your Limits
PR Stunts are map-based mini challenges like:
- Speed Traps
- Speed Zones
- Drift Zones
- Danger Signs
- Trailblazers
Each has a 3-star system, and completing them earns XP, credits, and accolades.
- Tip: Use the right car for the job—drift cars for drift zones, hypercars for speed traps, and so on.
Final Tips for New Players
- Don’t rush—FH5 is a game to explore and enjoy at your pace.
- Experiment with assists to find the perfect balance of control and challenge.
- Use the map filter to avoid visual clutter.
- Farm Skill Points in Skill Songs with multipliers active.
- Engage with the community via livestreams, events, or clubs.
The Horizon Awaits
You’re not just here to race. You’re here to thrive. To cruise the coastline, drift through canyons, leap off cliffs, and leave your tire marks across all of Mexico. Forza Horizon 5 is a playground. It’s a stage. And now, it’s yours.
Take this Forza Horizon 5 Boost Guide, hit the gas, and never look back. Welcome to the Festival, rookie. Let’s see what you’re made of.