Japanese Icons: A Spotlight on JDM Cars in Forza Horizon 5
As a passionate gamer and racing enthusiast, the arrival of Forza Horizon 5 was a dream come true. Not only does the game let me experience the vibrant atmosphere of Mexico in an open-world driving sandbox, but it also gives access to a staggering lineup of over 500 intricately detailed vehicles.
And for fans of Japanese domestic market (JDM) cars like myself, what makes Forza Horizon 5 even more exciting is its impressive roster of iconic JDM vehicles now faithfully recreated to collect and drive across the game’s landscapes.
In this guide, I’ll be running through some of the incredible JDM machines available in the game, analyzing their histories, significance, and what makes them so special to experience behind the wheel.
Godzilla and Friends: Nissan’s JDM Superstars
Nissan has an unmatched legacy of producing legendary sports cars and tuner icons driven by motorsport victories and aftermarket innovation. Forza Horizon 5 is packed with Nissan JDM greats:
Skyline GT-R (R32/R34)
The Skyline GT-R models need no introduction – the R32 helped earn the “Godzilla” moniker by dominating motorsport racing, while the final R34 generation continued introducing new technology. Packing all-wheel-drive grip and over 300hp of twin-turbo inline-six power, these Skylines remain enormously popular in the tuner scene even today.
300ZX
The 300ZX nameplate also saw competition success, while offering crusier V6 performance in an affordable package. Spanning multiple generations since 1969, early generations pushed the capabilities of traditional FR layouts, while later models innovated with technologies like four-wheel steering.
Silvia (S13/S15)
The boxy S13 and curvier S15 iterations of Nissan’s Silvia sports coupe became tuning and drifting darlings thanks to lightweight and capable RWD chassis paired with turbocharged engines. Models like the rare Onevia mashup continue resonating with enthusiasts globally.
Fairlady Z (370Z)
While not achieving fame like its GT-R and ZX brethren, the more affordable Z sports cars brought balanced RWD thrills to the masses. The latest 370Z model appearing in Forza Horizon 5 offers over 330 HP in a lightweight package that embraced manual transmission purism.
Overall, Nissan’s lasting cultural impact is plainly visible in Forza Horizon 5’s wide range of legendary models from bygone eras now revived in digital form.
Toyota Icons: Supra, AE86, MR2 and More
No list of legendary Japanese sports cars is complete without Toyota’s heavy-hitters:
Supra MKIV
Even casual gearheads look at the fourth-generation Supra’s curvy silhouette and long hood and immediately think of the legendary 2JZ engine residing within. Capable of handling staggering horsepower levels reliably, the 2JZ became a tuning phenomenon continuing today. Forza players can now experience this 320HP turbocharged monster and its signature styling firsthand.
AE86 Sprinter Trueno
On the opposite end of the power spectrum lies Toyota’s humble rear-wheel drive Corolla coupe – a lightweight box begging to be drifted thanks to sublime balance. Nicknamed “Hachi-Roku” and thrust into popularity from Initial D fame, the plucky AE86 demonstrates precision RWD dynamics even at modest power levels – a testament to its brilliant chassis and 4AGE motor so beloved by enthusiasts worldwide.
MR2 (AW11/SW20)
Toyota took their expertise with small affordable sports cars into the mid-engine realm with the MR2 family of rear-drive and later all-wheel-drive sports cars. While not reaching the fame or tuning potential of the contemporaneous Supra, lightweight MR2 generations offered incredible agility and exotic supercar styling cues in an accessible package – attributes faithfully recreated in Forza Horizon 5’s digital renditions.
Celica GT-Four (ST205)
And for rally homologation specials, one can’t forget about the turbocharged, all-wheel drive Celica GT-Four models. Built to take Toyota rally racing in the 1990s, the street ST205 versions combined the raw ingredients for supreme grip and rally-bred agility representing a high point for Toyota’s sports compact efforts.
Honda: Precision Type Rs and the NSX Supercar
Honda also fields some standout JDM machinery in Forza Horizon 5 sure to resonate with enthusiasts.
Civic Type R
The Civic Type R bloodline needs no introduction after establishing itself as a front wheel drive performance benchmark over successive generations culminating in today’s 306HP turbocharged monster. Forza Horizon 5 features the intensely capable current-gen FK8 Type R with its racecar-inspired aerodynamic aids channeling power with scalpel-like precision. I can‘t wait to wring out every ounce of performance from its highly-strung engine.
Integra Type R (DC2)
But Honda enthusiasts with an eye for heritage will likely be drawn towards the DC2-generation Integra Type R appearing in the game. While boasting just 195HP in stock form, the DC2 Type R etched itself into front-wheel drive fame as one of the greatest FWD chassis ever conceived – surrendering little to more powerful rivals thanks to an obsessive focus on weight reduction and handling purity. New generations of tuning enthusiasts are rediscovering the DC2‘s brilliance today.
Acura NSX
And I would be remiss not mentioning Honda‘s groundbreaking NSX mid-engine supercar also gracing Forza Horizon 5‘s roster. Combining everyday drivability with Ferrari-toppling performance thanks to its high-revving V6, advanced aluminum construction and everyday usability, the NSX shook up perceptions of what an everyday supercar could achieve upon its 1990 debut. The original NSX‘s balanced brilliance earns it iconic status as an accessible supercar legend still traded for big money today.
Mazda: Rotary Icons
Zoom-Zoom company Mazda makes a splash in Forza Horizon 5 with two standout models powered by its signature rotary engine technology:
RX-7 (FD3S)
The curvy third-generation FD graced both magazine covers and Gran Turismo opening sequences thanks to cutting edge twin-turbo rotary performance wrapped in exotic styling following in the footsteps of earlier RX-7 generations. Forza players can now explore the enhanced version boasting over 280HP recreating this apex predator’s balance and signature high-RPM power delivery.
RX-8 (SE3P)
And Mazda‘s effort at bringing rotary power to the masses manifested in the RX-8 sports car, also featured in Forza Horizon 5. Combining rear-wheel drive coupe styling and driving dynamics with usable rear seats, the RX-8 met with initial market success before being held back by the rotary engine‘s thirst and emissions. But for fans of rev-happy Wankel performance, the RX-8 provides another digital outlet to enjoy in Forza‘s vast open world landscapes.
Rally Homologation Greats: Mitsubishi and Subaru
Both Mitsubishi and Subaru fielded incredible turbocharged sports sedans and coupes homologated from their dominant 1990s rally cars. Forza Horizon 5 features the legendary all-wheel drive duo:
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Built for Group A rally competition, the street-legal Lancer Evolution models earned fame as giant slayers capable of keeping pace with exotic machinery that came at several times the price. Available in multiple generations, these rally homologation specials represent the pinnacle of Mitsubishi‘s turbocharged 4G63T performance paired with impeccable AWD handling – attributes digital versions excel at showcasing in the game.
Subaru Impreza 22B
Following a similar formula, Subaru’s range-topping Impreza 22B coupe took performance to staggering levels in 1998 by combining a 2.2 liter engine, widebody aero and lowered suspension all clothed in iconic blue and gold livery reminiscent of the company’s WRC racers. The 22B‘s rally homologation roots gift it with tenacious turbo boxer AWD grip exquisitely reproduced in Forza Horizon 5’s recreation.
And the list goes on – with iconic Lexus, Nissan and Mazda models rounding out decades of JDM excellence now faithfully digitized with incredible detail and driving feel.
As a passionate racing gamer, exploring this automotive history firsthand while putting these recreated JDM icons through their paces across Forza Horizon 5’s vast landscapes is a rare treat I’ll continually relish thanks to the talented artists, engineers and researchers at Playground Games. Here‘s to many more dream JDM garages continuing to get added over the franchise’s future horizon!
