3 Top Affordable SUVs With a Turbocharged Engine
Most SUVs deliver pretty good power and speed on their own. However, quite a few options on the market come equipped with a turbocharged engine. Of course, there can be drawbacks to having a turbo, but these rides are usually pretty fun to drive. Here are three top affordable SUVs with turbocharged engines.
The 2023 Buick Encore GX is a turbocharged SUV
Buick may not always be the most exciting automaker, but they have some pretty great SUVs. One example is the Buick Encore GX; luckily, it’s a decently affordable SUV with a turbocharged engine. According to Edmunds, the 2023 Buick Encore GX has a turbocharged 1.3-liter inline-three engine with a maximum output of 137 hp and a torque of 162 lb-ft.
The 2023 Buick Encore GX comes in all and front-wheel drive and uses a continuously variable transmission. Regarding speed, this Buick SUV goes from 0 to 60 mpg in about 9.3 seconds. This is not the fastest SUV, but it’d be a lot slower without the turbocharger.
Additionally, the Buick Encore GX has a predicted reliability rating of 90 from J.D. Power. It’s also a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The 2023 Buick Encore GX starts at $25,900. Also, the 2024 model has been announced already.
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos
The Volkswagen Taos is another SUV that has a turbocharged engine. The 2023 Volkswagen Taos has a 1.3-liter inline-four with a maximum output of 158 hp and a torque of 184 lb-ft. The base model is front-wheel drive, and the transmission used here is an eight-speed automatic. The vehicle also comes in all-wheel drive configurations.
Regarding speed, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour between 9.4 and 11.2 seconds. Again, not the fastest, but it’s pretty decent for a vehicle with a starting price tag of $24,155. It has a predicted reliability score of 75 and a four out of five-star safety rating. Again, this would be a much slower SUV without the turbo.
The 2023 Mazda CX-5
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is one of the best affordable SUVs with a turbocharged engine. As is the case with many Mazda SUVs, it’s pretty swift. Unfortunately, not all trims have the turbo. The first one that does is the Mazda CX-5 Turbo, which has a 227 hp 2.5-liter inline-four. It’s all-wheel drive and uses a six-speed transmission. There is also the CX-5 Turbo Signature.
Regarding speed, the fastest 2023 Mazda CX-5 accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.6 seconds. It’s also reliable, with its 82 out of 100 predicted reliability rating. Additionally, it’s a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.
Overall, the addition of a turbo in an SUV can be a great thing. It may not allow for super-fast speeds, but it does make a real difference in performance. This is especially the case with smaller engines.
