Forza Horizon 6 vs FH5 — Changes
If you played Forza Horizon 5, you already know the basics. Here's what's different in FH6.
The Map: Japan vs Mexico
| FH5 (Mexico) | FH6 (Japan) | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | 2× FH5 |
| Urban area | Small festival city | Tokyo — 5× larger than any past Horizon city |
| Biomes | Desert, jungle, beach, volcano | Tokyo streets, Alpine snow, coastal highways, mountain touge |
| Circuit | None | Hokubu dedicated race circuit |
| Iconic roads | Horizon Festival routes | Wangan Expressway, Hakone Turnpike, C1 Inner Loop |
Japan's map is significantly larger and more varied. The urban driving experience is entirely new — Tokyo is a proper city circuit, not just a small town.
New Features Not in FH5
Touge Battles
One-on-one mountain pass racing. Not in any previous Horizon game. Chase or lead on narrow Japanese mountain roads.
Time Attack Circuits
Set lap times on dedicated circuits and compete on global leaderboards. FH5 had no formal time attack system.
Horizon CoLab
Co-op open world building with up to 12 players. FH5's co-op was limited to convoy driving and shared events.
Drag Meets
Formal drag racing with a proper Christmas tree light system and up to 12 players. FH5 had drag strips but no structured meets.
Car Meets
Dedicated meetup locations (including Daikoku Parking area) with socializing and show-off events. New to the series.
Aftermarket Cars
Rare cars parked in the open world that you can discover, test drive, and buy at a discount. FH5 had Barn Finds; FH6 adds this alongside them.
Returning Features (Improved)
Barn Finds
Still in FH6 — locations and unlock methods not yet revealed.
Seasons
The seasonal rotation returns. Japan's Alpine biome has permanent snow regardless of season — a first for Horizon.
Wheelspins and Super Wheelspins
Confirmed returning. VIP membership still gives bonus wheelspins.
Auction House
Returning. No major changes confirmed yet.
EventLab
Returning with Japan-specific assets and new road types for custom events.
Changed
Progression System
The Wristband progression system returns — similar to FH1's original structure. Festival progression has been reworked around unlocking Japan's regions.
Returning Multiplayer Modes
The Eliminator and Hide & Seek return alongside new Spec Racing Championships for more structured competitive racing.
Cars: What Carried Over
Most of FH5's car roster returns in FH6. Over 550 cars confirmed at launch vs FH5's 500+ at launch. The Toyota lineup is significantly expanded, befitting the Japan setting.
New to the series:
Should FH5 Veterans Buy FH6?
Yes, if you want:
Wait, if you:
The core Horizon loop is the same. The new features — especially touge — are meaningful additions, not just reskins.