In game visuals are excellent. Cars are rendered better than Forza Horizon 3.
Physics and gameplay are closer to Burnout Paradise. But the world is MUCH bigger and there's a lot more cars. All officially licensed, and the ability to tune. In fact you can make an Audi TT slightly better than a Lamborghini Huracan.
The boats, bikes, and place are also rendered very nicely, and the events are lots of fun. There's a ridiculous number of events in which to engage.
You're in a perpetually online world with lots of other players. Potentially hundreds when the game comes out. You can ignore them or engage at your discretion.