Four new features I found in the Forza Horizon 6 preview that will change how you play the game

I've been lucky enough to play Forza Horizon 6 early, ahead of its May 19 launch. While it's a mere snapshot of what the final game will contain, I have found some new features that while small on their own, all add up to a bigger impact on the game.

Everything I've seen is still very much a work in progress, so there's still more to come, but overall, it's shaping up to be something special. Check out my full Forza Horizon 6 preview for some more complete thoughts.

But I wanted to take the time to highlight these new features I really enjoyed and how they can change how you're going to play Forza Horizon 6 compared to its predecessors.

1. Regional Mascots give you credits to spend on your cars

We're all familiar with bonus boards in Forza Horizon, with XP gains and reduced cost fast travel to be had in previous games.

I'm still waiting to hear about fast travel in Forza Horizon 6, but new for this year are the Regional Mascots.

Each different region has an adorable set of mascots dotted across the map and smashing them rewards 5,000 credits each. With 200 to crush beneath your wheels, that's a lot of cash to put towards better cars.

In the early game, in particular, this should give you an easy boost to your bank balance.

2. Aftermarket cars can be bought around the map for cheap

I don't know how many of these will be in the final game and where they'll be placed, but the preview build has shown off a selection of aftermarket cars you can by simply by finding and driving up to them.

These are all sold with pre-applied tuning setups and even aftermarket bodykits, saving you the trouble of doing the work yourself.

They're also available at a discounted rate, so you get a better ride and save some credits in the process. What's not to love?

3. Forza Horizon 6 has an auto-drive feature

I've never really used the ANNA satnav in previous Forza Horizon games, but in Forza Horizon 6 it's a little more useful.

Not only can it help you easily hit the next races you need to progress through the Horizon Festival, but it can now drive you to them.

The auto-drive feature will take over and get you safely to your designated destination, albeit significantly slower than you'd get there yourself.

But the icing on the cake is the cinematic mode. Once enabled, the UI disappears, and you're treated to a full cinematic view of your road trip. Making your own Forza Horizon 6 movie has never been easier.

Or, you know, you can leave it on and grab a coffee. Or bathroom break.

4. Drag racing is more realistic than ever

Drag racing has always been a fun, quick hit of Forza Horizon adrenaline, but the Drag Meets in Forza Horizon 6 add a little extra realism.

The game doesn't hold you on the start line; you're responsible for your own launch. Take up your preferred grid slot, and you'll have a realistic lights system counting down to the start.

If you touch the throttle early, you'll move and jump-start. So the timing is all on you.

Fortunately, it's easy enough to get the hang of by holding the e-brake and engaging launch control. But the reaction time is all down to you. A split section too late and the win could get away.

There will be far, far more to come from Forza Horizon 6 in the final release. The preview build was hard locked for progression before you even qualified for the Horizon Festival, and some parts of the map were still off limits.

Nevertheless, it's shaping up to be something quite special, and there's not too much longer to wait for it.

Forza Horizon 6 launches on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud on May 19, 2026. Early Access for Ultimate Edition buyers begins on May 15, 2026.