When taking a car for a spin around Great Britain in Forza Horizon 4, it's inevitable to want to go and explore the paths that haven't been paved. Thankfully, the vehicle catalog for the game is filled with cars that are built for any kind of off-road action players may want to experience.
In addition, thanks to the changing weather systems in the game, players can try driving their favorite vehicle through the thick mud or snow and seeing how fast they can still go. Going off the main roads isn't just for fun either as the game has plenty of off-road races for players to try. While there are plenty of all-terrain cars, there are some that stand out for these big races.
Updated June 27, 2020, by Chris Birsner: With such a large player base, the Forza Horizon 4 community continues to evolve in terms of opinions for every vehicle in the game. Ultimately, whatever vehicle a player thinks is the best off-road car in the game is theirs to decide. That said, it is worth pointing out even more possibilities when it comes to finding the car of people's off-roading dreams. The following list has been updated for clarity in 2021, with additional choices that players may have initially glazed over.
15 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
A vehicle that is specifically built for off-road driving, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 has been part of the game since the Series 1 update. It isn't among the best off-road cars in the game, but it is rather formidable for tougher conditions. It has a solid launch stat at 7.3 and a speed of 6.1. It can be purchased through an Auction House listing or can be redeemed at the Horizon Backstage using a pass. It is also can be found seasonally in a few of the stores in the game from Festival Playlist to Forzathon Shop.
14 Jaguar F-PACE S
Another vehicle that people may be used to just driving on the road, the Jaguar F-PACE S isn't a shabby car to take off the pavement. A B-class vehicle, the F-PACE is stronger in almost every category to the Colorado ZR2. It has a launch stat of 8.7 and an acceleration stat of 7.0. Meanwhile, its overall speed is at 6.6. Another benefit to this vehicle is that it is a lot less rare as it can be bought at the Autoshow for 55,000 CR and can also be bid on at the Auction House.
13 #2 Audi Sport Quattro S1
Rally Monsters are a good car type to look at when looking for a car that can handle driving on a bumpy dirt road. The #2 Audi Sport Quattro S1 was used in the 1986 World Rally Champions season, competing in the Group B class.
The car is known for its high acceleration, having a 9.5 in this category. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.1 seconds and 7.2 seconds from 0 to 100 mph. It also has a pretty good brake and handling that is good for tougher terrain.
12 Ford F-150 Raptor
Driving a truck through the mud seems fitting considering how they are built for rough conditions, and the Ford F-150 Raptor is a truck that's worth checking out for these kinds of off-road affairs.
Originally called the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, the 2017 iteration of the vehicle is a lot lighter than its predecessor. This isn't a stunning vehicle by any stretch of the imagination with average stats across the board, but it's a good option when dipping into off-road racing for the first time in Forza Horizon 4.
11 Alumi Craft Class 10 Race Car
Sometimes, it just takes a glance at a vehicle to know that it is built to be driven on the natural ground. The Alumi Craft Class 10 Race Car is a racing buggy that is a part of the B class but can be upgraded to being an A-class car and one of the best off-road cars in Forza Horizon 4. The vehicle has a top speed of 122.9 miles per hour. It can reach 60 miles per hour after 5.582 seconds. The Forza Edition of this car can have a launch stat of 9.2, a top speed of 145.3 miles per hour, and can reach 100 miles per hour in 11.252 seconds.
10 AMG Transport Dynamics M12S Warthog CST
If players are looking to focus more on handling than speed, then the AMG Transport Dynamics M12S Warthog CST is for them. The car is a smaller rendition of the M12B Force Application Vehicle. These monsters are used by the United Nations Space Command.
The vehicle is on the slower side as its max speed is 119 mph. However, if players are looking for an option that controls well for a race but doesn't prioritize being the fastest vehicle around, the Warthog can do some damage.
9 Lancia 037 Stradale
People may think that sports cars are potentially too bougie to be an off-road vehicle, but the Lancia 037 Stradale holds up when going through the mud. A C-class Legendary car, the Stradale doesn't have the strongest statistics in the world but does have a top speed of 166.5 miles per hour. However, if players are willing to sacrifice some speed, the upgrade preset is an S1 class vehicle that has a launch stat of 9.4 and all other stats above seven. Both versions of the vehicle can be found at the Autoshow or the Auction House.
8 Ford Escort RS Cosworth
It's easy to go after a car with a maxed-out statistic in the specific category players are looking for. However, sometimes it's good to get a little balance in the mix. The 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth is a retro rally car that has a solid launch but is average in about every other category.
It can get from 0 to 100 mph in 17.4 seconds but has a max speed of 144. If players have the Car Pass, they will have access to the Hoonigan Gymkhana 10 Ford Escort Cosworth Group A, which maxes out the vehicle's acceleration and launch while bumping all other statistics as well.
7 Porsche Macan Turbo
Don't let the fact that the 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo is an SUV stop anyone from considering this as a real option for off-road racing. This high-performance vehicle has a lot of perks such as being able to execute a drift without needing to use the handbrake.
The Porsche Macan Turbo also has a solid burst time from 0 to 60 mph with 4.2 seconds. Its top speed sits at 168 mph, which is par for the course with most vehicles of this size and build. However, this vehicle shines when it comes to handling rough conditions.
6 Ariel Nomad
Going back to the racing buggies, another solid vehicle to try out is the A-class Ariel Nomad. The car is an upgrade over the normal Alumi Craft Class 10 Race Car as its top speed is about 142.8 miles per hour and can reach 100 miles in 8.7 seconds, which is also better than the upgraded Alumi race car. It isn't incredibly strong in terms of its overall statistics, with the exception of the 9.2 launch rate, but the speed and acceleration of the car overall put it in the conversation of the best offroad buggy to drive around.
5 Toyota #1 T100 Baja Truck
One of the newer vehicles in the series, the Toyota #1 T100 Baja Truck is specifically built for the off-road lifestyle. This trophy truck was original designed for the SCORE International off-road series in North America.
The primary vehicle, which is labeled with a Legendary rarity status, is yet another option that doesn't hold up on the speed department but is great everywhere else. There is also a version of the Baja Truck available with the Welcome Pack that is enhanced in almost every regard.
4 Ford RS200 Evolution
There are a plethora of rally vehicles in Forza Horizon 4, but none have the interesting legacy of the Ford RS200 Evolution. The vehicle was set to race in the Group B rally championship, but a series of tragic accidents involving the vehicle led to the tournament being canceled and the car being raced instead at the FIA European Rallycross Championship.
It only takes 3.6 seconds for this vehicle to reach 60 mph and nine to get to 100 mph. It's one of the fastest cars in the bunch while also having solid handling and braking.
3 Jeep Trailcat
The average person who may not be as into cars probably knows that one of the perfect examples of an off-road vehicle is a jeep. The Jeep Trailcat is definitely among the best available in Forza Horizon 4.
In real life, the Trailcat was first unveiled to the world during an annual Jeep showcase in North America. No particular stat of the vehicle stands out, other than the fact that there is no glaring weakness. On top of that, it can reach 100 mph in only 8.6 seconds and has a top speed of 167.7.
2 Hoonigan RS200
Going back to the RS200 Evolution, while the original is a solid vehicle for dirt rallies, its Hoonigan variant outclasses it in every way. The vehicle is based on a real-life car that was customized by Ken Block.
The main upgrades include an engine that has been increased to 750 hp and overhauls of the interior and exterior of the vehicle. In Forza Horizon 4, Acceleration and Launch have both been maxed out, while the worst stat is Braking at 7.9. Its top speed is 213.5 mph and it can reach 100 mph in 4.9 seconds.
1 Hoonigan Gymkhana 9 Ford Focus RS RX
Another Hoonigan car, the Gymkhana 9 Ford Focus RS RX was built in conjunction with M-Sport. Block drove the vehicle during the 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship. Out of all the cars listed, the vehicle has the quickest acceleration as it can reach 60 mph in 1.9 seconds.
On top of this, this is a vehicle that handles and breaks well in off-road conditions. While its top speed doesn't exceed 150 mph, the car has almost all a player could want in an off-road vehicle that can win them the race. It is easily the best off-road car in the game.