Choose Forza Horizon 5 if you want to roam a Mexico-themed open world, jump between varied activities, and create or play custom EventLab events. Choose The Crew Motorfest if themed car-culture Playlists, a large advertised vehicle roster, and Ubisoft’s ongoing seasonal content appeal more. If you plan to play with friends, check the platforms in your group first: both games advertise cross-play, but the exact supported setup can depend on platform.
Neither game is a universal winner. Their official feature pages describe different strengths, but they do not establish which has better handling; that comes down to preference and is best judged by trying the game or consulting a controlled independent comparison.
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How the two games structure open-world driving
Forza Horizon 5: roam and choose what to do
Forza Horizon 5 places you in Mexico and emphasizes exploration alongside a mix of cooperative, competitive, and player-created activities. Its EventLab tools add events made by players, so the experience is not limited to the activities shipped by the developers. Forza’s official game page describes the setting, activity mix, accessibility features, and accumulated content updates.
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The Crew Motorfest: follow themed Playlists
Motorfest organizes much of its car-culture content into themed Playlists. That structure suits players who like moving through a curated set of activities built around a particular automotive theme. Ubisoft’s current game page outlines the Playlists, platforms, editions, and advertised vehicle roster.
#1 Best Overall
![Forza Horizon 5 – Premium Edition – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SeBIPzMvL._SL160_.jpg)
- REDEMPTION INSTRUCTIONS: Go to "Your Orders" and click "View Order" to receive install code. Xbox: Microsoft Store App --> Redeem --> Input code. Window: Xbox App --> Store --> Redeem --> Input code.
- The Premium Edition includes the Welcome Pack, Car Pass, VIP Membership, Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels expansion, and Forza Horizon 5 Rally Adventure expansion.
- NEW RALLY ADVENTURE EXPANSION - Drive purpose-built rally monsters and conquer the rugged Sierra Nueva. Feel the intensity of massive dust trails and deformable roads in 10 new cars. Play on March 29th, 2023.
- Explore a world of striking contrast and beauty. Discover living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons, and a towering snow-capped volcano.
- Take on awe-inspiring weather events such as towering dust storms and intense tropical storms as Mexico’s unique, dynamic seasons change the world every week. Keep coming back for new events, rewards, and new areas to explore.
The useful distinction is not simply “more” versus “less” open world: it is whether you prefer a broad mix of activities and player-created events, or themed sequences that give your driving a clear focus.
Can you play with friends on other platforms?
Both publishers describe cross-play, but check the current platform-specific details before buying for a group. The Forza PS5 announcement explicitly confirms cross-play among PS5, Xbox, and PC, and says the PS5 version has the same content as the Xbox and PC versions: Forza’s PS5 announcement.
Rank #2
- Lead breathtaking expeditions across the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
- Explore a world of striking contrast and beauty. Discover living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons, and a towering snow-capped volcano.
- Immerse yourself in a deep campaign with hundreds of challenges that reward you for engaging in the activities you love. Meet new characters and choose the outcomes of their Horizon Story missions.
- Take on awe-inspiring weather events such as towering dust storms and intense tropical storms as Mexico’s unique, dynamic seasons change the world every week. Keep coming back for new events, challenges, collectibles, and rewards, and new areas to explore. No two seasons will ever be the same.
Ubisoft says Motorfest supports cross-play and cross-progression. Its current game page lists PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. The platform list alone does not establish every possible cross-platform combination, so confirm the setup your group needs with current platform-specific support information. Ubisoft’s cross-play and cross-progression guide dates to 2023 and may not reflect every later platform detail.
That guide also describes Live Competitions with up to 32 players. This is a capacity for that mode, not a claim about general player population or how many people are online.
Rank #3
- Seasons change everything. For the first time in the racing and driving genre, experience dynamic seasons in a shared open-world. Explore beautiful scenery, collect over 450 cars, and become a Horizon Superstar in historic Britain. (Some cars provided by online update.
- Britain like you’ve never seen it. Discover lakes, valleys, castles, and breathtaking scenery all in spectacular native 4K and HDR on Xbox One X and Windows 10.
- Master driving in all seasons. Explore a changing world through dry, wet, muddy, snowy, and icy conditions.
- New content every week. Every week, a new season change brings new themed content, gameplay, challenges, and rewards.
- Go it alone or team up. Play solo or cooperatively. Join team multiplayer for casual fun or ranked teams to take on the best in the world. Xbox live gold (sold separately) required for online multiplayer on Xbox consoles.
What ongoing content and vehicle counts tell you—and what they do not
Forza’s current official page reports over 40 content updates. That is a publisher-reported count, not an independent measure of how much content you will enjoy. Its EventLab adds a different kind of replay option: player-created events alongside the game’s own activities.
Ubisoft’s current Motorfest page advertises more than 800 vehicles. That is also a publisher-reported roster figure; a larger count by itself does not establish better variety or quality for an individual player. Ubisoft’s October 6, 2026 page presents Season 11 content as available October 7, 2026, and its Year 4 showcase article is dated September 15, 2026. Seasonal plans and availability can change, so check the current game page for what is live when you buy.
Rank #4
- Lead breathtaking expeditions across the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
- Explore a world of striking contrast and beauty. Discover living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons, and a towering snow-capped volcano.
- Immerse yourself in a deep campaign with hundreds of challenges that reward you for engaging in the activities you love. Meet new characters and choose the outcomes of their Horizon Story missions.
- Take on awe-inspiring weather events such as towering dust storms and intense tropical storms as Mexico’s unique, dynamic seasons change the world every week. Keep coming back for new events, challenges, collectibles, and rewards, and new areas to explore. No two seasons will ever be the same.
- Play on Xbox Series X and Xbox One consoles. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, download and play it directly on your Xbox console or Windows 10 PC.
Forza’s update count and Motorfest’s vehicle count measure different things. Compare the kinds of content you expect to return to—custom events and varied activities, or themed Playlists and seasonal additions—rather than treating the figures as a head-to-head quality score.
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Platform availability
Forza Horizon 5 is listed for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and handheld access on Xbox’s US store page. Forza also confirmed the PS5 release. The Xbox listing includes online co-op, online multiplayer, and Xbox cross-platform multiplayer. See the Xbox US listing and PS5 announcement for platform details.
Best Value
- PREMIUM UPGRADE — Includes VIP Membership, Welcome Pack, Time Attack Car Pack, Car Pass, Italian Passion Car Pack, and two Premium Expansions. Requires Forza Horizon 6 base game or Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
- VIP MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS — Enjoy a 2x Credit boost to race rewards, 3 VIP-Exclusive Forza Edition cars, a weekly bonus Super Wheelspin, and special Vanity Items.
- WELCOME PACK — Features 5 special pre-tuned cars and a Car Voucher, which can be used to claim any car available from the Autoshow.
- TIME ATTACK CAR PACK — Receive 8 legendary cars ideal for mastering every turn and corner at the Time Attack Circuits located around Japan.
- ITALIAN PASSION CAR PACK — Introduces 4 great new Italian cars in Forza Horizon 6 post-launch, perfect for cruising, racing, or exploring.
Ubisoft’s current Motorfest page lists PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, as well as Ubisoft+ access. Subscription access and platform availability may vary by region and change over time.
Accessibility and PS5 features
Forza’s official page describes sign-language options, game-speed controls, subtitles, color-blindness options, and screen narration. Its PlayStation page also details PS5 haptics and Quality and Performance modes. Review those specific features against your needs and target platform; their presence should not be assumed to be identical across every version.
Compare the edition on the platform you will use
Forza’s editions differ by platform listing. The PlayStation Premium Edition description includes the base game, Rally Adventure and Hot Wheels expansions, Car Pass cars, VIP Membership, and Welcome Pack content. Xbox’s store listing offers Standard, Deluxe, and Premium editions, plus separate add-ons. Check the exact listing for the platform you own rather than assuming a bundle is identical everywhere. Sources: PlayStation Premium Edition and Xbox US listing.
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Ubisoft’s Motorfest page describes Headliners and Grand Garage editions; the latter is presented as unlocking over 60 vehicles from the start. Confirm the current regional listing and included content before purchasing, since editions and availability can change.
How to make the choice
- Start with your platform and friends. Confirm the game is available for your system and that its current cross-play setup covers everyone you want to play with.
- Pick the activity structure you prefer. Favor Forza for open-ended Mexico exploration, a varied activity mix, and EventLab creations; favor Motorfest for themed car-culture Playlists.
- Check the content that matters to you. Look at current seasonal offerings and the kinds of activities you will actually play, not just publisher-reported totals.
- Review accessibility and platform features. Compare the options on the exact version you plan to use, including Forza’s listed accessibility settings and PS5 modes if relevant.
- Compare local editions and prices. Open the current store listing for your region and platform; the available bundles and prices are not a like-for-like comparison across both games.
- Decide based on driving feel only after trying them if possible. The official product pages do not settle which game handles better, and preference is subjective.
Sources and currentness
Feature, platform, edition, and live-content details above come from official Forza, Xbox, PlayStation, and Ubisoft pages. Store prices, subscription access, edition contents, and seasonal availability are volatile; consult the linked regional store or current game page at the time of purchase.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
