Turbocharged engines, a hallmark of 1980s automotive innovation, have reemerged as a dominant technology in new vehicles today, with nearly half of the 16.3 million passenger cars sold in the United States in 2025 featuring turbochargers. This resurgence reflects significant advancements overcoming many of the mechanical challenges that plagued early turbo models.
Turbochargers operate by using the energy in an engine’s exhaust gases to compress incoming air, allowing more fuel to be burned and boosting power output. While electric vehicles continue to gain market share, turbocharged gasoline engines remain the primary powertrain choice among luxury brands such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Even Porsche’s lineup, traditionally known for naturally aspirated engines, now predominantly offers turbocharged models—with the exception of four variants of the 911 GT3.
The technology is widespread across mainstream manufacturers as well. Ford equips all its SUVs with turbo engines, and many pickup models carry them too. Chevrolet employs turbos in numerous vehicles, including its affordable crossovers and the high-performance Corvette ZR1. Hyundai reports turbocharged vehicles make up nearly 30 percent of its sales, including some hybrid models shared with sister company Kia. Popular mainstream vehicles like the Honda CR-V come standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
According to industry experts, modern turbocharging focuses less on marketing the technology and more on delivering improved drivability and fuel efficiency. “Customers don’t necessarily wake up wanting a turbocharger—they just want a vehicle that feels effortless to drive and affordable to own,” said Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president at Hyundai. Advances have mitigated common issues such as turbo lag—the delay before turbo boost activates—and mechanical failures that were widespread in the 1980s.
The renewed emphasis on turbocharging is partly driven by stringent fuel-economy regulations that have encouraged automakers to downsize engines without sacrificing performance. Four-cylinder turbocharged engines now frequently replace larger V6 and V8 engines in mid-size and full-size vehicles, such as Chevrolet’s Traverse SUV and Silverado pickup.
Industry veterans note that today’s turbo engines are far more reliable than their predecessors. Michael Schmidt, a turbocharger executive at Stellantis, explained that electronic regulation of boost pressure has eliminated lag by providing instant power delivery. Additionally, improvements in airflow, precision engineering, and the use of synthetic lubricants have reduced heat-related wear and failures common to earlier turbo designs. Current systems also incorporate cooling technologies, such as electrically operated after-run oil cooling and thermal-siphon coolant circulation, that protect components after engine shutdown.
Early turbocharged models, introduced by companies like General Motors in the 1960s and revived in the 1970s, saw limited commercial success, with turbos accounting for just 6 to 7 percent of car sales. However, some of those cars, including iconic models like the 1976 to 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo and the Buick GNX, have gained traction in the collector market, commanding substantial prices.
Reflecting renewed appreciation, the Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance in June became one of the first American automotive events to dedicate a display class exclusively to turbocharged cars produced between 1974 and 1993. The exhibit featured vehicles such as a 1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z and a 1988 Ferrari 288 GTO.
Collectors and enthusiasts credit turbocharging with delivering exotic performance during a challenging era for the automotive industry. “It was a special era for cars,” said Dave Sheehy, chairman of the Cincinnati event and longtime turbocar owner.
As turbochargers continue to evolve, their growing presence in modern vehicles underscores the blend of performance and efficiency that has moved this once niche technology into the mainstream.