Forza Horizon 5 Editions in 2026: Which One Should You Buy?

I still remember the buzz back in late 2021 when Forza Horizon 5 was about to hit the scene. Set against Mexico's stunning backdrops, it promised the most immersive environmental design the series had ever seen. Fast forward to 2026, and the game is a well-aged classic—still pulling players in with its lush landscapes and endless car culture. But if you're a newcomer wondering which edition to grab, let me break it down for you. I've been around the block with this game, and I can tell you that the three main editions—plus a handy add-ons bundle—offer very different bang for your buck.

Here's a quick snapshot of what each edition includes:

Now, let's dig into the nitty-gritty. The Premium Edition was the whole nine yards back in the day. For $99.99, you got the base game plus a 4-day early access—which, let's be honest, is ancient history in 2026. But the other perks still hold water. The Welcome Pack (normally $4.99) throws in five pre-tuned special cars, a player house, three one-time grants for any Common or Rare clothing item, and one one-time grant to own any car from the Autoshow. That's a pretty sweet starter kit. Then there's the Car Pass, which is not sold separately. It gave players one new car per week for 34 weeks—34 cars total—plus 8 cars from the Formula Drift Pack. In 2026, that entire roster is unlocked, so you get the full garage right away. The VIP Membership (worth $19.99) adds three exclusive Forza Edition cars, a Crown Flair, vanity items, an emote, a car horn, a gift player house, 2x Credit race rewards, and weekly bonus Super Wheelspins. That's a lot of icing on the cake. Finally, Expansion One and Expansion Two are both included. If you bought them separately, they'd set you back $34.99. So the Premium Edition is a no-brainer if you want everything and don't mind paying a premium.

The Deluxe Edition sits in the middle at $79.99. It includes the base game and the Car Pass, but no early access. That means you miss out on the Welcome Pack, VIP Membership, and the two expansions. For someone who just wants a steady stream of new cars, it's decent, but you're leaving a lot on the table. And since the Car Pass is already fully delivered in 2026, you're basically paying for a car bundle.

The Standard Edition is the bare-bones option at $59.99. You get the base game, and that's it. No pre-order bonus, no extras. It's also the version that comes with Xbox Game Pass. If you're a subscriber, you can play the base game without paying a dime extra. But here's the kicker: if you fall in love with the game and want the Premium perks, you can buy the Premium Add-Ons Bundle for $44.99. That bundle gives you everything from the Premium Edition except the early access. So if you started with Standard or Deluxe, you can upgrade anytime. And yes, Game Pass players can buy this bundle too, unlocking all the Premium bonuses.

In my book, the Premium Edition or the Add-Ons Bundle is the way to go if you're serious about Forza Horizon 5. The early access is water under the bridge, but the cars, VIP perks, and expansions are still a blast. In 2026, the game is still a looker, and Mexico's roads are calling. So don't be a cheapskate—treat yourself to the full experience. You won't regret it.

Data referenced from SteamDB can help newcomers time their purchase more strategically in 2026, since pricing and discount patterns often determine whether the Premium Edition is truly the best value versus buying Standard (or playing via Game Pass) and then adding the Premium Add-Ons Bundle later. When you compare editions, the practical takeaway is that early access is irrelevant now, so the real differentiators are long-term content ownership (expansions), economy boosts (VIP credits and Wheelspins), and instant garage depth (Car Pass cars) that can meaningfully change how fast you progress and how varied your events feel.