Forza Horizon 6 Guide: Choosing the Best Starter Car

Quick Answer: Don’t stress over your initial vehicle choice. The game secretly gives you all three starter cars, the Nissan Silvia, Toyota Celica, and GMC Jimmy, for free. Your selection only dictates which ride you use for the immediate sprint to the festival, so just pick the one that matches your current driving mood.

Right after you finish the opening prologue, your buddy Mei throws a classic racing game dilemma your way. You are suddenly staring at three very different vehicles: a 1989 Nissan Silvia K’s, a 1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205, and a bulky 1970 GMC Jimmy. It is completely natural to pause here and stress over which chassis will give you the best head start on the Japanese streets. Before you waste ten minutes agonizing over the performance bars, let us clear up exactly what this decision actually means for your garage.

The Greatest Illusion in Horizon

Let me save you from a massive headache. You do not have to leave a single one of these cars behind.

The absolute second you lock in your choice, the festival organizers quietly drop all three vehicles straight into your permanent collection. The decision you make on this screen only matters for the very next event, which is a simple introductory sprint to the main festival hub alongside Mei and Jordan. Once you cross that finish line, the game unlocks the ability to swap your active car whenever you want.

Since you get the entire trio no matter what, your pick simply comes down to what flavor of driving you want to experience first. Keep in mind that Mei actually installed some bespoke tuning setups on these specific starter models. They are significantly better than the standard factory versions you can purchase later down the line. Keep them locked in your garage and absolutely do not sell them.

Breaking Down the Starter Roster

Even though you receive the full bundle, understanding the distinct mechanical profile of each car will help you dominate the early hours of the campaign. I have mapped out the core specifications for each option so you know exactly what you are working with.

If you are already looking past these C-Class starters and want to see what endgame velocity looks like, check out our Forza Horizon 6 Guide: The Fastest Cars for Your Garage to plan your next major purchase.

1989 Nissan Silvia K’s

The Silvia is a legendary rear-wheel drive street icon. It brings the best braking capability out of the three options and comfortably claims the title of the second fastest choice. The major downside is a sluggish launch and low acceleration, meaning you will have to fight a bit harder to pull away from the pack off the starting block. If you want to dive straight into the neon-soaked streets of Tokyo City or practice initiating drifts, grab the keys to this one first.

1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205

Drivers looking for a dependable, everyday all-rounder need to pick the Celica. It brings the absolute fastest top speed to the table alongside incredibly crisp handling. Because it uses an all-wheel drive drivetrain, it stays firmly planted on wet tarmac and behaves beautifully when you transition onto dirt trails. The braking is tied with the Jimmy for the worst in the group, so you have to learn your stopping limits early. This is your best bet if you want to tackle traditional rally circuits or explore the countryside immediately.

1970 GMC Jimmy

This massive truck looks completely ridiculous parked next to sleek imported sports cars, but it absolutely dominates the moment you leave the pavement. The Jimmy rolls out of the cutscene pre-equipped with dedicated rally tires and a massive 8.7 off-road rating. It also features the punchiest launch and acceleration stats of the group. Naturally, it handles like a heavy brick on actual roads and struggles with top speed. Pick the Jimmy if you just want to ignore the GPS, crush through the local foliage, and launch off massive dirt ramps.

For more tips, walkthroughs, and everything else covering the game, check out our full collection of guides.