When I first jumped back into Forza Horizon 5 in 2026, I had one question on my mind: which car could I grab without spending millions of Credits and still dominate Speed Traps, Speed Zones, and Drag Races? After hours of testing and talking with the community, the answer kept coming back to the Koenigsegg Jesko 2020. The best part? You don't have to spend a single Credit if you are willing to put in some work in a specific story event.
Why is the Jesko such a big deal? With over 500 cars in Forza Horizon 5, narrowing down the fastest machine is not exactly a quick job. The community has done the hard work, and the Jesko still stands out as one of the most accessible top-tier speed machines. It scores a perfect 10 for Speed and a perfect 10 for Handling, and once tuned it can push well past 300 mph. That kind of performance makes it ideal for almost every high-speed activity in Mexico.
What Makes the Koenigsegg Jesko Special?
The Jesko isn't just fast on paper. In my own runs, it felt planted through long sweepers and brutal in straight-line acceleration. Those perfect 10 ratings for Speed and Handling are not just decorative. If you are chasing leaderboard times on Speed Traps, you'll want that combination. If you're building a drag monster for Festival events, the Jesko gives you a strong foundation. And if you simply want a free car that can embarrass vehicles costing millions more, this is it.
How to Get the Jesko for Free
Instead of grinding Credits, I went the free route. The Koenigsegg Jesko can be earned as a free Accolade Reward by getting 3 Stars in all 11 chapters of the 'V10' Baja Adventure Event. That sounds like a lot, but every chapter can be repeated. You do not need to nail a 3-Star run on your first attempt. I used my first few runs to learn each route, then came back for clean, fast passes.
To unlock the V10 Story, you'll need to spend 3 Adventure Chapter unlocks in the green Baja section of the Accolade Adventure Map of Mexico. Once unlocked, look for the symbol of a car with a clapper board. Drive there to start the event.
Here is the process in simple steps:
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Open the Accolade Adventure Map of Mexico.
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Go to the green Baja section.
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Spend 3 Adventure Chapter unlocks to unlock the V10 Story.
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Find the car with clapper board icon and drive to it.
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Complete all 11 chapters and earn 3 Stars in each.
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Repeat chapters as needed to improve your runs.
Claiming Your Free Jesko
After securing 3 Stars in every V10 chapter, pause the game and head to the 'Accolades' menu under the 'Campaign' tab. From there, open the 'Stories' category and tab over to 'V10'. Claim your reward, and the Jesko will be added to your garage.
This is one of those moments where a little patience pays off in a big way. Why spend 2.8 million Credits at the Autoshow when the same car can be earned for free? Even the Auction House option is not perfect. Yes, you might find a slightly cheaper Jesko there, but because those cars are pre-owned, they often have Car Mastery perks like Wheelspins already used. That might not matter to everyone, but I prefer starting with a clean example.
| Acquisition Method | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Autoshow | 2.8 million Credits | Brand new, full Mastery available |
| Auction House | Usually less than Autoshow | Pre-owned, some perks may be used |
| V10 Baja Accolade | Free | Requires 3 Stars in all 11 chapters |
Is the Free Route Worth It?
In my opinion, absolutely. The V10 chapters are not extremely difficult once you learn the layouts. The biggest cost is time, not Credits. For newer players, that trade is almost always worth it because you can save your Credits for houses, tunes, or other cars that do not have a free Accolade route. The Jesko can then carry you through a huge portion of the game's speed-based content.
If you are still short on Credits and want to buy tuning parts or other vehicles, there is also an early-days method that many players used. Purchasing a Willys Jeep for around 40,000 Credits and spending 5 Skill Points on its Mastery Tree could unlock cheap Super Wheelspins. That method was very popular when the game launched, though its efficiency may have changed with updates. If you're on a current patch in 2026, test it carefully before committing large amounts of Credits.
Final Thoughts
The Koenigsegg Jesko 2020 remains an outstanding choice for anyone who wants top-tier speed without opening the Autoshow wallet. With perfect Speed and Handling ratings, the ability to exceed 300 mph, and a free Accolade path through the V10 Baja Adventure, it is one of the best rewards in Forza Horizon 5. Get those 3-Star runs done, claim the car, and then go enjoy every Speed Trap and Drag Race the game throws at you. 🏎️💨