I know you‘re probably wondering if you can score the awesome new Hot Wheels expansion for the hit racing game Forza Horizon 5 without paying.
The short answer is: Unfortunately, nope – the Hot Wheels DLC is not free. You‘ll need to purchase it separately from the base Forza Horizon 5 game.
But don‘t worry! In this guide, I‘ll explain all your options for getting the DLC, what‘s included, if it‘s worth it, and tips to get the most out of all the new Hot Wheels content.
How Much is the Hot Wheels DLC and What‘s Included?
Let‘s start with what you actually get if you buy the Hot Wheels DLC:
- An entirely new Hot Wheels themed map and stunt park located in Mexico‘s Gran Caldera region
- Over 200km of iconic orange Hot Wheels track with huge loops, jumps and corkscrews
- 10 awesome new cars like the Hennessey Venom F5 and the classic Hot Wheels Deora II
- New gameplay mechanics like boost pads and magnetic track sections
- The ability to build and share your own custom stunt tracks
- Themed Hot Wheels outfits, poses and decorations for your characters
That‘s a ton of content! The map alone is gigantic and unlike anything seen in Forza Horizon before.
You‘ll be able to reach speeds over 500 km/h while driving upside down along rollercoaster-style tracks. It‘s any stunt driving fan‘s dream come true!
Now for the big question – how much does all this cost?
- Standalone Price: $19.99 USD
- Xbox/PC Game Pass: $17.99 (10% discount)
- Included with Premium Bundles: Premium Edition, Expansions Bundle, Premium Add-ons Bundle
So unless you already own Forza Horizon 5 via one of the bundles above, you‘ll need to pay the full $19.99 price tag.
Is the DLC Worth the $19.99 Cost?
Dropping $20 on a DLC pack is always a tough call. But based on early reviews and gameplay, the Hot Wheels expansion seems well worth it for big Forza Horizon fans.
The DLC adds around 10-15 hours of gameplay in an entirely new stunt setting. Considering the base Forza Horizon 5 game costs $60 and takes around 25-30 hours to complete, that‘s a good amount of extra content.
Reviewers and players are also praising how fresh and unique the Hot Wheels map feels compared to the original Forza Horizon setting. The gravity-defying tracks and ability to build your own custom stunt parks also adds a ton of replay value.
For those who enjoy mastering the most extreme driving challenges and pushing cars to their limits, the DLC really delivers. Expect non-stop action and physics-bending fun.
Based on the massive amount of content you get, I‘d say the $19.99 price tag is fair. It‘s unlikely you‘ll see any discounts for a while after launch. So if you‘re itching for more Forza, now‘s the time!
How Many People Have Bought the DLC So Far?
The Hot Wheels expansion only released on July 19, 2022. So it‘s still early, but we can get a sense of sales so far based on these stats:
- Over 4.5 million people played Forza Horizon 5 in its first week
- The game has around 10 million players as of July 2022
- The Hot Wheels DLC is currently the #1 paid add-on for Forza Horizon 5 on the Microsoft Store
While exact figures aren‘t public, clearly a good chunk of the 10 million Forza Horizon 5 players are hungry for more content. I‘d estimate at least 500,000 copies sold so far based on it holding the #1 paid DLC spot.
And that number will continue growing over time as word spreads about the awesome stunts and tracks you can pull off!
When Can You Access the Hot Wheels DLC Content?
Okay, let‘s say you took the plunge and bought the Hot Wheels DLC – how do you actually play it?
It‘s simple:
Own the DLC (bought standalone or via a Forza Horizon 5 bundle)
Complete the introductory "First Race" of the main Forza Horizon 5 campaign
This intro takes about 15 minutes and teaches basic driving controls.
Look for the new Hot Wheels Expedition icon on your Mexico map, located in the Gran Caldera region.
Fast travel or drive to the icon to enter the Hot Wheels map and start racing!
Once you finish that quick intro race, you‘ll have full access to the entire Hot Wheels park and all its content. So don‘t worry about needing to progress far in the base game first.
The devs made sure you can start stunting right away. Just own the DLC and complete the basic tutorial.
Tips to Get the Most Out of the Hot Wheels DLC
Alright, time for the good stuff – how to get the most out of your $19.99 spent on this adrenaline-pumping DLC.
Here are my top tips for Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels players:
Master stunts and speed jumps – Look for the flashing blue stunt ramps and orange speed boosts. Hitting these seamlessly will rack up points and speed.
Try first person view – Being in the driver‘s seat amps up the intensity. Switch the view for mega loops!
Tune your cars – Adjust gear ratios and get a grip on handling to take those tight turns without crashing.
Build your own parks – The track editor lets you create wild shared parks. Experiment and let your imagination run free!
Change camera angles – Capture insane photos mid-air and stunting with the new camera options.
Relax and explore – The park is gorgeous. Take a break from racing to enjoy the sights.
Complete challenges – Driving through flaming hoops or scoring airtime unlocks wicked new rides.
See? With this DLC there‘s a ton of different ways to play for drivers of all skill levels. You‘ll easily get your $19.99 worth from the endless stunt run possibilities!
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Hot Wheels DLC?
Let‘s recap everything we‘ve learned:
- The Hot Wheels DLC costs $19.99 USD standard, with a small discount for Game Pass members
- You get a huge new stunt map, 10 new cars, track editor and more
- It adds around 10-15 hours of fun gameplay and new physics
- The DLC is worth the price for big Forza Horizon fans
- Complete the intro race to access the Hot Wheels content
- Master stunts, tune cars, and explore the park to get the most out of it
So should you grab the DLC?
If you love Forza Horizon 5 and want more over-the-top stunt driving challenges, absolutely! Think of it like an adrenaline-filled expansion pack.
The mix of vehicles, ridiculous tracks and ability to design your own parks makes for endless fun. It‘s some of the most absurd and creative DLC I‘ve seen in a racing game.
Considering the quality and amount of new content, I‘d say $19.99 is fair. Just know the DLC isn‘t free – you need to buy it separately.
But for Forza fans seeking a wild new playground, it‘s probably worth every penny. Now get out there and go play! This extreme theme park is calling your name.
