Best Turbocharged Sedans for 2024
These are the best turbocharged sedans based on iSeeCars' analysis of each vehicle’s reliability, resale value and safety.
The best turbocharged small and compact car is the Honda Civic (coupe) (9.4 quality rating), with the Honda Accord being the best turbocharged midsize car (9.3 quality rating). The Kia K900 ranks #1 for the best turbocharged large cars (7.6 quality rating).
The increased horsepower and torque delivered by turbocharged engines have made them popular in performance coupes, sports cars and supercars for decades. But recent advances in engine management technology have also made turbo powertrains effective at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The result is much wider availability of turbocharged cars across in nearly every vehicle category, from subcompact economy hatchbacks to luxury sedans to premium sports sedans.
iSeeCars has identified the best turbocharged sedans and listed them below. The cars are grouped by size and price category, and ranked by their iSeeCars quality score, which takes reliability, resale value, and safety into consideration. Additional information for each model is also available, including new and used pricing, engine horsepower, and fuel economy specs.
New car shoppers looking for the best turbocharged sedan should keep additional factors in mind as they browse the lists below. While a turbo doesn’t impact a vehicle’s styling or interior space, it does play a key role in any performance car’s overall driving experience. Features like all-wheel drive (AWD) and a manual transmission can further elevate a turbocharged car’s cornering and driver engagement, but keep in mind both of those features will reduce mpg, even on small or midsize sedans with a four-cylinder engine.
Used car shoppers can still find plenty of turbocharged vehicles to choose from, with this engine technology rapidly expanding across brands in recent model years. While high-performance European luxury cars from Mercedes-AMG and Porsche have been leveraging turbos for decades, American automakers Chevrolet and Ford have joined the club in recent years. For instance, the same 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo engine available in the Ford Mustang rear-wheel-drive sports cars was also offered in the Focus ST economy sedan.
High performance versions of Asian and European cars, including the Hyundai Sonata N, Toyota Corolla GR, and Volkswagen Jetta GLI, also incorporate turbos to improve acceleration without sacrificing fuel efficiency. Midsize models like the Sonata N are generally only available with an automatic transmission, but the smaller Corolla GR and Jetta GLI can be had with a manual gearbox.
Shoppers seeking the best of all worlds, including a powerful, fuel-efficient engine, advanced safety features, intuitive infotainment controls, and practical passenger space, can find it in a variety of modern sedans. Use the lists below to identify which model fits your specific budget and needs.
How We Rank These Cars
The best turbocharged cars rank vehicles by iSeeCars Score which is based on our proprietary assessment of a vehicle’s reliability, resale value and safety (based on ratings from IIHS and NHTSA).
We analyze data from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with the NHTSA's Safety Ratings to give you an unbiased guide to the best vehicles in each segment.
iSeeCars Score is an analysis of three factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
