Retro Rally

Best Retro Rally by Handling in Forza Horizon 5

Retro Rally is one of the most popular car categories in FH5. These five post the highest Handling ratings in the category.

Updated February 2025 Ranked by Handling · 18 cars analyzed
5.0
Best Handling
Retro Rally
Type
RWD, AWD
Drivetrain
25K CR
Cheapest
18
Cars in Group
#1
Rank
1982 Lancia 037 Stradale B647

1982 Lancia 037 Stradale

RARE RETRO RALLY RWD
750,000 CR
1982 Lancia 037 Stradale

The undisputed Handling champion in this group. A natural advantage that's hard to overcome, even with a perfect tune on a weaker platform.

Speed
5.2
Handling
5.0
Accel
4.5
Launch
2.8
Braking
3.7
Offroad
7.1
Power 202 HP
Torque 172 lb-ft
Weight 2,540 lbs
Displacement 2L
Front % 44%
Drivetrain RWD
View full 1982 Lancia 037 Stradale details →
#3
Rank
1986 Lancia Delta S4 B682

1986 Lancia Delta S4

RARE RETRO RALLY AWD
1,000,000 CR
1986 Lancia Delta S4

Pairs high Handling with competitive all-around performance — a rare combination. An excellent all-rounder that doesn't force trade-offs.

Speed
5.0
Handling
4.9
Accel
5.5
Launch
5.5
Braking
3.7
Offroad
7.6
Power 247 HP
Torque 214 lb-ft
Weight 2,646 lbs
Displacement 1.76L
Front % 45%
Drivetrain AWD
View full 1986 Lancia Delta S4 details →
#4
Rank
1992 Mazda 323 Gt-R C589

1992 Mazda 323 Gt-R

COMMON RETRO RALLY AWD
25,000 CR
1992 Mazda 323 Gt-R

A great mid-price option with Handling that punches above its weight. Lower PI leaves significant tuning headroom.

Speed
5.2
Handling
4.9
Accel
5.0
Launch
2.9
Braking
3.2
Offroad
5.9
Power 287 HP
Torque 184 lb-ft
Weight 2,668 lbs
Displacement 1.84L
Front % 62%
Drivetrain AWD
View full 1992 Mazda 323 Gt-R details →
Our Methodology

How We Ranked These Cars

The rankings above are based on stock performance data — every car shown is completely untuned, straight from the Autoshow. If a car ranks #1 for Handling in stock form, it has a natural advantage that's hard to overcome.

At ForzaLabs, we built an automated system that collects every upgrade and tuning option for every car in Forza Horizon 5 — thousands of parts across hundreds of vehicles.

Beyond Stock

Stock Rankings Are Only the Starting Line

In competitive online racing, nobody runs stock. The right combination of upgrades can transform a mid-tier car into a class leader. The question isn't "which car is best stock" — it's "which car is best after the optimal tune for my race?"

That's exactly what our full database answers. Enter your race restrictions — class limit, drivetrain rules, weather conditions — and we'll show you the optimal car and build.

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  • Tuned stats — not just stock baselines
  • Updated with every game patch
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Explore More Retro Rally

Browse all Retro Rally cars, filter by any stat or price — or check out our other rankings.

Why Handling Matters

In Forza Horizon 5, the Handling stat reflects cornering grip, braking stability, and overall control. Most tracks reward carrying speed through corners.

Budget vs. Premium Picks

If you're just starting out, the 1995 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Iii Gsr at 250,000 CR is a strong entry point. The 1982 Lancia 037 Stradale leads at 5.0 Handling, but costs 750,000 CR.