Turbos and superchargers were once reserved for exotic performance cars or rally legends, but today they have quietly made their way into ordinary sedans, crossovers, and even family cars. Most buyers assume forced induction is only about speed, but manufacturers now use it to downsize engines, cut emissions, and improve efficiency without sacrificing power. As a result, some of the most common vehicles on North American roads actually have turbochargers or superchargers hiding under the hood, even if they are tuned more for practicality than performance. Here are 15 gas powered cars you might not have realized were boosted, along with the reasons why automakers have embraced this technology.
Ford F 150 EcoBoost
When Ford announced that its bestselling F 150 would come with a turbocharged V6 instead of a traditional V8, truck loyalists were skeptical. Yet the EcoBoost engines have become a huge success, delivering V8 like torque with better fuel economy. Many buyers still assume that a full size truck uses a naturally aspirated eight cylinder, but the reality is that Ford proved turbos could handle heavy towing and long term durability.
Chevrolet Malibu 1.5T
The Malibu has been seen for decades as a simple, sensible family sedan. What surprises many is that the current base engine is a 1.5 liter turbocharged four cylinder. It is tuned for smooth power delivery and efficiency rather than thrills, so most drivers never notice the turbo at work. This quiet adoption shows how turbos can make small displacement engines viable in midsize cars without making them feel underpowered.
Honda Civic 1.5T
The Honda Civic built its reputation on naturally aspirated reliability, but recent generations introduced a 1.5 liter turbo. It produces more torque at lower RPMs, which makes the car easier to drive in daily traffic while also sipping less fuel. Because Honda designed the turbo system for refinement rather than aggression, many Civic owners never even realize their car has moved into the world of forced induction.
Toyota Camry TRD Supercharged Editions
While the Camry is most famous as a no nonsense commuter, Toyota has occasionally experimented with supercharged TRD editions through dealer and aftermarket packages. These rare versions gave the Camry surprising performance while keeping its reputation for reliability intact. Most people would never guess the family friendly Camry has had a supercharged alter ego lurking in its history.
Buick Regal GS Supercharged
In the early 2000s Buick offered the Regal GS with a supercharged V6, hiding performance in plain sight. On the surface it looked like a traditional Buick designed for comfort, but the blower transformed it into a legitimate sleeper sedan. Buick’s decision to add a supercharger showed that even brands not known for performance could use forced induction to broaden appeal.
Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T
The Volkswagen Jetta has long been thought of as a straightforward compact sedan. But in recent years, nearly every Jetta has come with a small 1.4 liter turbo four cylinder. The goal is not high speed thrills but efficiency, delivering strong fuel economy without leaving the car feeling weak. Unless you read the fine print on the spec sheet, you might never realize this everyday sedan relies on turbo power.
Dodge Neon SRT4
The Dodge Neon was considered one of the cheapest cars of the early 2000s, but the SRT4 trim turned it into a cult classic. With a 2.4 liter turbocharged four cylinder making over 200 horsepower, it was capable of embarrassing sports cars at a fraction of the cost. Most people associated the Neon with economy car status, making the SRT4 a shockingly fast outlier.
Ford Taurus SHO
The Taurus became synonymous with family sedans, yet the SHO versions offered twin turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engines. Producing over 350 horsepower, these sedans were far quicker than their exterior suggested. Buyers who thought they were getting a simple daily driver ended up with a turbocharged sleeper capable of serious performance.
Chevrolet Cruze 1.4T
The Chevrolet Cruze never had the reputation of being sporty, yet almost every model used a 1.4 liter turbocharged engine. Its purpose was economy and smoothness rather than excitement, which is why many owners never realized the turbo was even there. This demonstrates how automakers hide forced induction in mainstream models to meet fuel efficiency standards while keeping the driving experience familiar.
Mini Cooper S
The Mini Cooper’s image revolves around its playful styling and compact size, but the S models have used turbocharged engines for years. Because the cars remain approachable and easy to drive, many owners never connect their quirky hatchback to high performance technology. BMW used the turbo setup not just for fun but also to ensure the Mini met strict fuel regulations worldwide.
Cadillac ATS 2.0T
Cadillac aimed to challenge European sports sedans with the ATS, and it did so by offering a turbocharged 2.0 liter as the base engine. While Cadillac is usually associated with big V6s and V8s, the ATS showed that turbos could make smaller engines competitive. Many buyers simply saw it as a smooth entry level luxury sedan, unaware that turbocharging was doing the heavy lifting.
Hyundai Sonata 1.6T
The Hyundai Sonata was once defined by its naturally aspirated engines, but in the push for efficiency Hyundai shifted to turbocharged four cylinders. The 1.6T and 2.0T engines replaced the V6 options, providing more torque and better fuel economy. This change highlights how manufacturers have used forced induction to modernize mainstream sedans without scaring off buyers who want comfort first.
Volvo XC90 T6
Volvo took a unique route by combining turbocharging and supercharging in the same engine. The XC90 T6 uses a 2.0 liter four cylinder with both systems working in tandem, producing power comparable to much larger engines. Most people assume a luxury SUV of this size would require a V6 or V8, but Volvo proved that clever use of forced induction can shrink displacement while keeping performance.
Jeep Cherokee 2.0T
Jeeps are typically associated with rugged V6 engines, but the Cherokee introduced a 2.0 liter turbo four. It provides more torque than the larger engine while offering better efficiency. Because the Cherokee remains an SUV focused on off road appeal, many owners overlook the fact that their engine’s extra punch comes from turbocharging.
Chevrolet Impala SS Supercharged
In the early 2000s Chevrolet produced the Impala SS with a supercharged 3.8 liter V6. To the casual observer, it was just another full size sedan, but under the hood it carried unexpected muscle. This version of the Impala became another sleeper, demonstrating how manufacturers used superchargers to breathe life into otherwise ordinary cars.
Why Automakers Are Embracing Forced Induction
The reason turbochargers and superchargers have become so widespread is not just about performance but about survival. Stricter fuel economy and emissions regulations have forced manufacturers to shrink engines. Instead of building thirsty V6s and V8s, they now use smaller four cylinders with turbochargers to maintain horsepower and torque. Superchargers, though less common, still find use when instant response is needed. This approach allows cars to meet efficiency standards while keeping customers happy with strong performance. Downsizing paired with forced induction is now the global industry standard.
