While the game is miles better than the first, I still find it to fall a bit behind FH, for example. The map size and road variety is great, you can drive from LA to NY through an interstate or do it cross country, through mountains and deserts. But, the road size is overly wide, not than FH are narrow, but at least they feel much more natural than the wide lanes on The Crew.
The cars have now sounds and the driving, while still quite "on rails", feels much more better than the first game. I think it's a nice step down from the not-so-simulator that Horizon tries to be. Also, the graphics are great while not being spectacular, but the lighting is much improved as well as the weather effects and sunsets.
Planes are crap to fly, not that I was expecting much, but they are fun addition and also a great way to explore the map and to go from point A to point B.
So, all in all, I like it. Do I find it worth the full price on launch? Nope. Pretty sure I'll get it when the sales arrive (Which are not that far away).