Up until about 15 years ago, turbocharging was considered pretty special. Porsche 959, Ferrari F40, Supra Turbo, Skyline GT-R; these were some of the most important cars of all time, and forced induction was the technological icing on the cake. Simply, they represented the paradigm of automotive engineering.
Now, in 2026, every other mid-size SUV comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder that mainly uses the boost to cheat on gas, and the modern turbocharged performance cars are priced way out of average Joe’s budget. But if your mind is set on having a boosted car, there are several ways to get into the game for cheap. So, take a look at these 11 affordable turbocharged cars that won’t cost you more than about $15,000 (and mostly far less).
2011 BMW 335i
Average Market Value: $15,205
The E90/E92 generation was a pivotal moment for the iconic 3-Series, as midway through its production cycle (2010), the top-trim models received an engine change. Instead of the twin-turbo N54 straight-six, they got the N55, an updated single-turbo version of the N-series engine. While it made the same 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, it was far more refined and reliable overall.
As such, we are recommending the 2011 model, as it was the first full model year to offer the N55. It also came from the factory with the option for a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Of course, we’d spring for the manual if you really want to engage with that engine. So, don’t spend all your money on the naturally aspirated E90/E92 M3, and instead, spend just 15 grand and pick up a turbo 335i.
2013 Ford Taurus SHO
Average Market Value: $13,863
Why have one turbo when you can have two? If it could speak, that’s what the Ford Taurus SHO would ask you. Looking back at the Taurus SHO from the 1980s, it forever changed not just the American sports sedan landscape, but also the design philosophy of cars in general. Its flush headlights and futuristic bodywork became a staple for the car industry throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
But after 1999, the SHO variant (meaning “Super High-Output”) was dormant for ten years until the sixth-generation Taurus came in 2010, and along with it, another SHO variant. This time, it featured Ford’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, producing 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, which was delivered to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic only. These things are quick and, incidentally, remain cheap today at an average value of $13,863.
2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Average Market Value: $13,370
There were a myriad of performance-oriented economy cars in the 2000s, but one we often forget is the Cobalt SS. Earlier models came with a supercharged four-banger as well as a naturally aspirated motor, but from 2008 on, it received a turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine making an impressive 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
Power was up from just 205 in the supercharged version, and now it was more than two-tenths quicker from 0-60 mph (5.7 seconds vs. 5.9). It was available exclusively with a Saab-sourced five-speed manual, and even came from the factory with launch control and a sport exhaust that popped and banged when coming off throttle. Right now, you can pick up a clean example for around $13,370 on average.
2013 Fiat 500 Abarth
Average Market Value: $12,737
The Fiat 500 Abarth is one of the greatest and most underrated cheap used cars. You can find 2013 and up model year Abarths for laughable amounts of money these days, and our pick – the 2013 model, has an average used value of only $12,737.
This little Italian came from the factory with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 160 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque, which in a 2500-pound toy, is properly quick. Plus, it came with a five-speed manual. The only caution we must present, however, is reliability; Italian cars, and cheap ones at that, are not known to be the most durable, so make sure your mechanic knows how to work on a Fiat.
2011 Subaru Impreza WRX
Average Market Value: $12,523
There are few cars as popular in the enthusiast community as the Subaru WRX, and for good reason. The WRX has a fantastic formula of fun, reliability, tunability, and a little sprinkle of rally glitter in there, too. But the primary factor in its popularity is price. Our suggested pick – the 2011 Impreza WRX (they hadn’t ditched the “Impreza” nameplate yet) can be found consistently for around $12,500.
Under the hood was a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four producing a solid 265 horsepower and 244 pound-feet of torque. The full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive system is, of course, the keystone feature of this car, and is great for enthusiasts who don’t live in sunny states. Also, this WRX was only available with a five-speed manual – rejoice!
2003-2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4
Average Market Value: $12,429
Remember when we said the Cobalt SS was a forgotten performance economy car? Well, the Neon SRT-4 exists at the opposite end of that popularity spectrum. Made only from 2003 to 2005, the turbocharged Neon SRT-4 is a widely beloved compact sports sedan that was king of the hill among its rivals in the 2000s.
Powering the front-wheel-drive SRT-4 was a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, which produced 215 horsepower and 245 pound-feet in 2003. Power was bumped up to 230 horsepower in 2004 and 2005, but torque remained the same. The extra power is nice, but regardless of which year you go for, the Neon feels sharp in every sense of the word, and for around $12,000 on average, they are fantastic little drivers’ cars.
2003-2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protegé
Average Market Value: $8,000-$15,000
The Mazdaspeed Protegé was a direct competitor of the Neon SRT-4 in the “pocket rocket” segment, and although it didn’t push as much power as the Dodge, it was arguably more special. Mazda brought on several third parties to make sure this was the most special Protegé ever. Racing Beat handled suspension tuning, RacingHart provided the five-spoke wheels, Kenwood did the incredible sound system, and Callaway Cars handled the turbocharging.
All in all, the Protegé made 170 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque from the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. Importantly, this car is extremely rare – only 4,500 were made for the world during its one-year run. This means that pricing can be wonky. The average higher-mileage examples can go for under $10,000, but if you find a low-mile, ultra-original example in good condition (and in the rare Orange, Yellow, Silver, or Blue colors), they can fetch $20,000 or more. As such, the average MSP will cost anywhere from $8,000 to $15,000.
Hyundai Veloster Turbo (1st Gen)
Average Market Value: $11,000 – $13,000
This odd three-door hatch is certainly not conventional, but for the money, few turbocharged cars can beat its value. The Veloster Turbo and subsequent Turbo R were the highest trims in Hyundai’s Veloster lineup until 2019, when the “N” trim came out and blew everyone away, but don’t count the Turbo out just yet.
In 2013, the Turbo came with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four putting down 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, which could be connected to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. It’s not quite the hot hatch that, say, a Ford Focus RS is, but you can tune these for more power, and in the range of $11,000 to $13,000, it’s a certified deal.
2010 Mazdaspeed 3
Average Market Value: $10,828
Speaking of hot hatches, the Mazdaspeed 3 is here to play. Built from 2007 to 2013, the “Speed 3” was Mazda’s answer to the Subaru WRXs and Golf GTIs of the world, and it put up a proper fight, too. Underneath its skin was a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four making a seriously impressive 263 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.
The 2.3-liter’s output was the same across all years, but in 2010, Mazda facelifted the Speed 3 with a more alien bug-looking design. We’re recommending the newer 2010 model simply because it offers slightly more modern features and updates, but if you prefer the timeless pre-facelift design, all power to you. Right now, a 2010 example will run buyers about $10,828 on average.
Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk6)
Average Market Value: $10,200
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – the GTI might be the best all-around car ever built. Its mixture of quality, handsome design, reliability, practicality, and engagement is very hard to beat, especially when prices for the Mk6 generation are as low as they are ($10,200 avg.).
For the Mk6, VW introduced the new EA888 2.0-liter turbo-four to replace to outgoing EA113 engine of the same displacement. Power was up from 197 to 200 while torque outputs stayed the same at 207 pound-feet. Your choice of transmission was between a six-speed manual and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.
2008 Mini Cooper S
In our final slot, we’ve decided on the 2008 Mini Cooper S. For years, the Cooper has been seen as more of a novelty than anything else. The original Mini Cooper was timeless, adorable, and impossible to dislike, and when the incredible retro-modern body style of the 21st-century Mini came out in 2002, people loved it just as much.
They were never taken seriously, though, but we’d argue the Cooper S could make them rethink it. For the 2008 model year, the Cooper S sported a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four spitting out 172 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Paired with the standard six-speed manual, these cars are an absolute riot on a back road. Stiff, twitchy, and torquey in all the best ways possible.
