Forza Horizon 6 launched with 618 confirmed cars across 7 performance classes, and picking the right one for the right event is the difference between podiums and getting lapped. The new R-Class sits above S2 for the first time in the series, track prototypes now have their own dedicated tier, and the Japan setting rewards different builds depending on whether you're threading tight city corners or blasting down mountain highways. This guide cuts through the full roster and tells you exactly which cars are worth building in each class.
How does the FH6 class system work?
Every car in FH6 carries a Performance Index (PI) between 100 and 998, and that number slots it into one of 7 letter-grade classes. Most events cap at a specific class, so the practical goal is always to build to the cap, not above it.
Here's the full class breakdown:
- D-Class: PI 100-500, early game and novelty builds.
- C-Class: PI 501-600, budget daily drivers.
- B-Class: PI 601-700, themed events and retro picks.
- A-Class: PI 701-800, the workhorse class for most mid-game races.
- S1-Class: PI 801-900, modern supercars with serious power.
- S2-Class: PI 901-998, hypercars and extreme road builds.
- R-Class: PI 998 cap, track prototypes and factory race cars.
Two cars at the same PI are not automatically equal. Stat distribution matters far more than raw class placement. A tight Tokyo street circuit rewards handling and braking; a long mountain highway rewards acceleration and top speed. A tuned A-Class car with the right setup can beat an under-built S1 in the right event.
Always build to the event class cap, not above it. Headroom inside a lower cap often gives a well-tuned car more of an edge than a stock car one class higher.
PI class selection screen
Full tier list summary by class
Before the per-class breakdowns, here's the decision matrix. Top pick and runner-up for each class, with unlock notes.
Best R-Class cars in Forza Horizon 6
R-Class is new to FH6 and it is not just a slightly faster S2. These are track prototypes and factory race cars, pre-tuned for circuit use. They are unforgiving on bumpy Tokyo streets and reward smooth, clean inputs above everything else.
Ferrari FXX-K Evo on circuit
The Ferrari FXX-K Evo is the most consistent pick because it balances speed, handling, and braking without needing heavy tuning. The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro has the best handling stat in the class but is less versatile outside of circuit events. If you want something from the base game that doesn't require DLC or a massive credit spend, the Valkyrie is also available as a Collection Journal reward in the Horizon Legend category.
The Mazda 787B deserves a mention for collectors. It's the 1991 Le Mans winner with a rotary engine, locked behind the Gold Stamp in the Discover Japan progression. It's not the fastest R-Class option, but it's one of the most satisfying to drive.
R-Class cars struggle on tight, bumpy Tokyo street circuits where their low ride height and aggressive aero become liabilities. For those events, drop to S2.
Best S2-Class cars in Forza Horizon 6
S2 is where most high-end road events live. Hypercars with real handling variety, and the class where the fastest stock car in the game sits.
The Mercedes-AMG One leads with a perfect 10 in acceleration and is the best all-round S2 pick for events that mix drag sections with corners. Players who have Forza Horizon 5 save data get it for free. The Koenigsegg Jesko is the top speed king if you're chasing speed traps or highway blasts.
For pure drag racing, the Nissan GT-R Black Edition R35 Forza Edition posts 10.0 across Speed, Acceleration, and Launch in stock form. The catch: it handles like a brick wall. Turning is not its strength. Use it for straight-line events only.
For the full rundown on which S2 and R-Class cars hit the highest numbers, the fastest cars in Forza Horizon 6 guide breaks down top speed by class in detail.
Best S1-Class cars in Forza Horizon 6
S1 is the most popular competitive class. Power outputs are high enough that AWD traction starts to matter, and the best picks here reward builds that balance grip with speed rather than chasing raw PI.
GT-R NISMO in Touge event
The Nissan GT-R NISMO at 270,000 credits is one of the better value purchases in the game. It's also the final reward in the Touge and Street Rivals Collection Journal category, so you can earn it for free if you push that discipline. AWD traction and 600 hp make it a menace in both Touge and street events, and light tuning pushes it into higher classes.
The Lamborghini Revuelto is worth flagging as a free S1 hypercar. Push Road Racing discipline progression far enough and it drops into your garage without spending a single credit.
The Porsche 911 Turbo S 2023 leads the class in pure stock speed stats, with 7.8 Speed and a perfect 10.0 Launch. It takes more effort to drive well than the GT-R, but it's a strong pick for speed-focused events.
The Acura NSX Type S is a free S1 car tied to the Mek My Day wristband. Check your reward status before spending credits on an S1 supercar.
Best A-Class cars in Forza Horizon 6
A-Class is where most mid-game races live, and it has the widest variety of competitive builds. JDM tuners, off-road capable SUVs, and hot hatches all compete here. A properly tuned A-Class car can hold its own against stock S1 cars in the right event.
The Toyota GR Supra (2020) is the cleanest A-Class pick for players who want a modern JDM car that handles drift zones and road races equally well. The 1998 Supra RZ is the heritage version and the tuner community's favourite for classic drift setups.
The Jeep Trailcat at 70,000 credits punches well above its price. Off-road and cross-country races are where it earns its place, and it requires minimal tuning to be competitive. The Honda Civic Type R (2023) is the accessibility pick: cheap at the Autoshow, available as an Aftermarket Car, and earnable as a Collection Journal reward.
For a full breakdown of which A-Class and lower-tier cars are worth chasing, the FH6 car list guide covers every vehicle, class, and unlock method across the 618-car roster.
Best B-Class and lower cars
B-Class is themed event territory. Hot hatches, retro JDM coupes, and rally homologation cars dominate, and the best picks here are often Barn Finds rather than Autoshow buys.
The Toyota 2000GT is Japan's first supercar and the standout Barn Find in B-Class. It's a retro circuit car rather than a competitive meta pick, but nothing else in B-Class has the same combination of historical weight and driving feel. The Volkswagen Golf R (2021) is the practical choice: AWD, accessible, and genuinely competitive in B-Class events.
The Subaru Impreza WRX STI (2004) at 30,000 credits is arguably the best value car in the entire game for rally and dirt events. Tuning it through B-Class and into A-Class keeps it relevant well past where you'd expect a budget buy to survive.
C and D-Class are mostly novelty. The Plymouth Fury is a cinematic cruiser; the Peel P50 is locked behind a limited Trolli promotional code. Build one of each for the collection, but neither is competitive in race events.
Special car categories worth knowing
Most of the strongest cars in this tier list sit behind gates rather than the Autoshow. Here's what each category means for your unlock planning.
Forza Edition cars carry extreme modifications that can push a base car several classes higher than stock. The Nissan GT-R Black Edition R35 Forza Edition runs 2,700+ horsepower with a drag wing, wheelie bars, and a parachute. Most FE cars are Wheelspin-only at launch.
Barn Find cars (15 total) are gated behind the Discover Japan Stamp system. The Mazda 787B needs the Gold Stamp; the Honda NSX-R GT needs the Yellow Stamp. Grinding Discover Japan to Gold Stamp unlocks all 15 at once.
Treasure Cars are Japanese cars hidden across the map via in-game photo hints. They rotate through seasons, so the active list changes over time.
DLC packs at launch include the Welcome Pack (Ferrari FXX-K Evo, Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, and 4 others), the Italian Passion Car Pack (Ferrari F80, Alfa Romeo SE 048SP, Ferrari 275 GTB4 Spider, Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm), and the Time Attack Car Pack (8 heavily modified production cars including Honda, Nissan, and Toyota WTAC builds). The Car Pass adds one new car per week post-launch.
Loyalty Reward cars give returning Forza players up to 6 free cars. Check eligibility in the in-game menu before spending credits at the Autoshow.
The FH6 meta is still forming. Rankings reflect the current early state of the game and will shift as the community discovers better tunes and patches adjust car stats.
What are the best cars for specific race types?
Class tier lists tell you which cars are strongest, but race type matters just as much as PI.
- Drift events: The 1985 Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT Apex at 30,000 credits is the best drift car in the game for learning and progression. Repeated tune-ups keep it relevant into higher classes. The Lotus Evija Forza Edition is the drift specialist at S2.
- Rally and dirt: The Subaru Impreza WRX STI (2004) is the most consistent rally pick across multiple classes. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR from the Welcome Pack starts ahead of the base Impreza but costs more to acquire.
- Off-road and cross-country: The Subaru BRZ Forza Edition (2022) handles both off-road and pavement at A-Class. Available as an Aftermarket Car at the Sotoyama Ski Resort for 450,000 credits. For B-Class off-road, the Can-Am Maverick X RS Turbo R (2018) has a 9.8 off-road stat and is nearly impossible to beat on rough terrain.
- Speed traps and drag: The Nissan GT-R Black Edition R35 Forza Edition tops S2 with perfect 10.0 stats across Speed, Acceleration, and Launch. The Aston Martin Valhalla Concept Car (2019) leads R-Class with 1,042 bhp stock.
For players still working through the opening hours, the best starter cars guide covers all three starting options with full stats and which suits each racing style.
How to unlock tier-list cars faster
The unlock order matters more than most players realize. Spending credits on Autoshow cars when better options sit behind free progression rewards is a common early mistake.
A practical priority order:
- Check Loyalty Reward eligibility first. Up to 6 free cars for returning Forza players.
- Push Discover Japan to Gold Stamp. Unlocks all 15 Barn Finds including the Mazda 787B.
- Grind Road Racing discipline progression. Earns the Lamborghini Revuelto as a free S1 hypercar.
- Save Super Wheelspins for Forza Edition drops. Most FE cars are Wheelspin-only at launch.
- Check the Collection Journal before buying from the Autoshow. The GT-R NISMO, Valkyrie AMR Pro, and several others are earnable for free.
Some expensive Barn Find cars like the Mazda 787B require credits to restore after unlocking. Factor restoration costs into your credit planning before pushing Discover Japan.
For everything beyond the tier list, the full Forza Horizon 6 guides collection covers Barn Finds, Treasure Cars, Car Mastery unlocks, and every other system in the game.