What is the difference between Steam Forza Horizon 5 Standard and Premium?

When looking to purchase Forza Horizon 5 on Steam, there are two main editions available – Standard and Premium. But what exactly do you get with each? As a passionate gaming enthusiast, I‘ve analyzed both options in-depth so you can decide which is best aligned with the experience you desire.

Firstly, let‘s clearly define what‘s included with each edition:

Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition

This base version includes just the main Forza Horizon 5 game. It gives you access to the open world racing adventure across vibrant Mexico landscapes, with over 500 cars to collect and customize.

Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition

On top of the full base game, the Premium Edition bundles in several bonus DLC packs including:

• Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass – 42 extra cars over 21 weeks
• Forza Horizon 5 VIP Membership – 3 exclusive cars, Crown Flair, emotes, wheelspins etc.
• Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle – All upcoming map expansions
• Forza Horizon 5 Welcome Pack – 5 extra cars, cosmetic items, wheelspins

Straight off the bat, you can see the Premium Edition supersizes your content offering. But beyond that inclusion list, let‘s delve deeper into the key differences between the two versions:

Content and Bonuses

Premium gives you a lot more bang for your buck when it comes to in-game rewards and collectibles. Reference this handy table for an at-a-glance view:

As shown above, Premium Edition owners gain 50+ extra vehicles even from initial purchase. And that Car Pass will continue delivering new rides weekly for 6 months – taking the total cars collectible over time to 100+ more than Standard Edition.

The VIP membership also lets you stand out from the festival crowd with its flamboyant purple Crown Flair and access to exclusive Forza Edition cars unavailable anywhere else.

Meanwhile map expansions like the Hot Wheels DLC will practically double the explorable locations once they release. So Premium gives you way more environments to conquer with way more bespoke cars.

Early Access Privileges

Alongside stuffing in more content, the Premium Edition rewards buyers with early access privileges:

• Play 4 days early – Premium users gain access to the full release version of Forza Horizon 5 four days before Standard users, beginning November 5 rather than November 9
• Get DLCs first – Similarly, Premium players will get to check out map/car pack expansions before Standard players

For the most fervent Forza fans, the chance to dive in early and establish your driving dominance before everyone else is an exciting perk. Those extra 96 hours also allow you to get accustomed to Mexico‘s terrain and cruise into the best cars quicker.

Pricing Comparison

Naturally all these expanded features come at an increased price. Here‘s a look at the current Steam pricing for each edition:

So there‘s a $40 premium (pun intended) for access to all those DLC goodies. Now you might be wondering – is that extra 40 bucks worth it?

In my opinion – if you‘re going to invest serious hours into Forza Horizon 5 as an avid gamer, absolutely. Considering all the post-launch expansions alone will cost you more than $40 if buying piecemeal, bundling them all upfront is great value. Throw in early access, 50+ extra debut cars, VIP status perks and more – and Premium gives accelerated content that Standard can‘t compete with.

However, for more casual racing fans just looking to casually sandbox around Mexico with no rush, Standard Edition provides ample enjoyment at solid base value. You can always purchase DLCs later on if wanting more.

Which Edition Should You Buy?

So to summarize the key factors in deciding between Forza Horizon 5‘s Steam editions:

• Premium Edition is best for: Committed Forza players wanting maximum content and early access privileges.
• Standard Edition is best for: Occasional racers seeking solid baseline value without fussing over additional DLC benefits.

If you know you‘ll be grinding hard and want to own every car or be first on the block to new locations – Premium is a no brainer. But for dabbling drivers not worried about flashy extras right away, Standard fulfills all core gameplay needs.

One final thing to note – the Premium Edition and its DLC bundle is purchasable as a separate add-on even for Standard Edition owners. So you can always upgrade your experience down the line if wanting more.

More Analysis and Commentary

Beyond the clear-cut differences in content and access, I wanted to provide some further commentary surrounding the Premium Edition specifically.

Limited Edition Collectibility

Something important to highlight is the Steam Premium Edition is marketed as a limited-run product. Microsoft haven‘t clarified just how limited units will be – but heavily imply once stocks sell out that‘s it.

So from a collectibility standpoint, snagging a Premium copy gives you ownershipsecurity of high-demand limited product sure to retain future value among collectors. Think of it akin to a special vinyl release or comic print run – scarcity pushes worth over time.

Standard Edition in contrast will have perpetual availability most likely. So Premium represents unique collectible appeal.

Wise Investment Considering Future DLC Runway

Microsoft also have a great 10-year content roadmap planned for the entire Forza Horizon IP. Considering the game‘s predecessor FH4 is still pumping out new DLC 4+ years from launch, FH5 is guaranteed to follow similar post-launch support for years.

And with that Expansions Bundle guaranteeing you every map extension from Hot Wheels to unannounced locales for a single locked-in $40 – that‘s an economic investment relative to piecemeal purchases down the track.

In short – Premium Edition bundles coveted content sure to aggregate major value over FH5‘s lengthy lifecycle.

In Closing – Consider Your Own Desires

Wrapping up this complete breakdown between Forza Horizon 5‘s Steam edition options – the core question is:

Are you content with just the baseline open world Forza experience? Or do you need every car, every map, every early access perk possible?

Standard satisfies casual racing freedom without fuss. Premium delivers unbridled automotive abundance for enthusiasts invested long-term.

Hopefully breaking down all these key differences gives clarity in choosing the edition that feeds your appetite. Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments below!