30-Second Verdict
- New player + want latest: get FH6 (Japan setting + Touge Battles + Initial D crossover).
- New player + budget tight: get FH5 (heavily discounted + still active + 11 biomes).
- Want British scenery / nostalgia: FH4 (delisted, but playable on Game Pass through 2025).
- Existing FH5 player: FH6 is worth the upgrade (Touge mode + city elevated highways + 9 radio stations).
Full Comparison Table
| Dimension | FH4 (2018) | FH5 (2021) | FH6 (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting | Great Britain | Mexico | Japan |
| Map Size | ~78 km² | ~110 km² | Not disclosed (densest, most vertical) |
| Real Cars | 450+ | 500+ | 550+ |
| Biomes | 6 | 11 | 6 major regions + Alpine |
| Season System | Dynamic seasons debut | Dynamic + dry/wet seasons | Dynamic + 72 micro-seasons + Unkai |
| City Replica | Edinburgh (small) | Guanajuato (medium) | Tokyo (5× FH5's biggest) |
| Signature Feature | The Eliminator debuts | 11 biomes + Hot Wheels DLC | Touge Battles + Initial D |
| Radio Stations | 6 | 8 | 9 (Eurobeat new) |
| Game Pass | Day-one | Day-one | Day-one |
| Launch Price | $59.99 | $59.99 | $69.99 |
| Current Price | Delisted | ~$30 sales common | $69 full |
| PS5 Version | No | No | Yes (later 2026) |
Map & Biomes
FH4 Britain is the smallest but densest — Edinburgh, Scottish Highlands, Lake District, Cotswolds. FH5 Mexico is the series' largest map with 11 biomes (volcano, desert, jungle, coast, Mayan ruins). Japan plays the "density over area" card — Tokyo elevated highways, Alpine year-round snow, Mt. Haruna touge — the most vertical map in series history.
Gameplay Differences
FH4 introduced dynamic seasons and The Eliminator. FH5 launched the full Horizon Stories chapter system. FH6 is the most gameplay-differentiated entry yet — 1v1 Touge Showdown, CoLab multiplayer co-creation, Forza Aero split front/rear adjustment, auto-drive assist, Co-op LINK skills — nearly every system is a series first.
Pricing & Service
FH4 was delisted in 2024; new players can only access it via Game Pass. FH5 remains for sale and frequently discounts to ~$30. FH6 launches at $69.99 globally (¥298 in China region). Game Pass Ultimate covers all three generations.
Buying Recommendation
If you can only buy one in 2026, pick FH6 — newest content, richest gameplay, and Touge Battle is the coolest design in series history. FH5 is the best value but has been static for 4 years. FH4 is no longer recommended for new players.