10 FACTORY TURBOCHARGED MAINSTREAM CARS WITH THE MOST HORSEPOWER IN 2024

This is kind of the tail end of the modern muscle car era, with the V-8 going the way of the dinosaur, but that doesn't mean an end to automotive performance. In fact, thanks to modern manufacturing techniques and turbochargers, four and six-cylinder engines can crank out as much or more horsepower than their larger eight-piston counterparts. Once the domain of supercars and professional racers, turbos have gone mainstream and, for 2024, some of the most powerful cars have forced-air induction.

The term "mainstream" is obviously subjective, but generally speaking, it's a non-exotic from a major automaker. They can be hatchbacks, sedans, or sports cars, under six figures that anyone could, in theory, own, which also serve as reasonable daily drivers. A list of the most powerful mainstream factory turbos for 2024 could be as mundane as multiple BMW, and Mercedes models, but at Top Speed, we believe in diversity and inclusion, so each make only gets one entry.

Volkswagen Golf R

315 Horsepower

Don't let the five-doors and mousy styling of the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R fool you into thinking it's an economy ride. The subcompact hot-hatch sports car was designed to leave suckers in the dust, with 315 ponies under the hood and a radical race suspension. The turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine delivers power and torque to all four wheels with a decided sense of urgency.

Power, Performance, And Price

(Performance stats sourced from Car and Driver)

The 2024 Golf R also has one of the smoothest rides in its class. Short-wheelbase vehicles can sometimes be either spongey or herky-jerky, but the VW glides like it's on ice. With Comfort, Sport, Race, Special, Drift, and Individual drive modes, that ride can be adjusted with a simple push of the "R" button on the steering wheel. In terms of jumping off the line, the Golf R has a great power-to-weight ratio that lets it launch like a round from a high-powered rifle.

Ford Mustang

315 Horsepower

The iconic Ford Mustang has an over half-century history with the V-8 engine, but for 2024, comes standard with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that could almost make everyone forget about the 428 Cobra Jet. In fact, the I-4 Mustang is quicker than a 1969 Mustang Mach 1 with a 428, hitting 0-60 1.2 seconds faster and blazing a quarter-mile in 1.1 seconds less.

Power, Performance, And Price

(Engine specs and power sourced from Ford)

The 2024 Mustang still comes with a couple of awesome V-8 options, but the turbo I-4 is more than enough power for almost everyone. With the ICE Dodge Charger and Challenger being discontinued in 2023, as well as the Chevrolet Camaro's exit after the 2024 model year, the Mustang is the last American muscle car on the road, or at least until the Charger SIXPACK shows up in 2025.

Honda Civic Type R

315 Horsepower

The 2024 Honda Civic Type R is a versatile compact sports car that is just as comfortable on the track as it is running errands. Actually, comfortable is the wrong word and should be replaced with "fun" because this thing is a blast to drive in any situation. The radical version of the Civic hatchback takes everything that's great about the reliable Honda and adds some zip and grip to make it a true-performance vehicle.

Power, Performance, And Price

(Performance stats sourced from Car and Driver)

The 2024 model improved the exhaust system to get 315 horsepower out of the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine. It also utilizes a unique dual-axis strut front suspension that cuts down on torque steering, which can make the front-end dart with hard acceleration on front-wheel drive vehicles. Most of all, the 2024 Civic Type R, has a suspension and tires that keep it glued to the road, so the horsepower can be fully appreciated.

Acura Integra Type S

320 Horsepower

Acura added the performance Type S to the Integra lineup for 2024, with a 120-horsepower increase over the standard model. The 320 ponies of the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, transforms this subcompact luxury car into a serious performance vehicle. It's a status symbol capable of blowing the doors off of just about anything else on the road.

Power, Performance, And Price

(Performance stats sourced from Car and Driver)

The 2024 Integra Type R has all the smoothness and comfort Acura is known for as well as the luxury, but with an engine capable of flexing its muscles. Mechanically similar to the Civic Type R, the Integra Type S is slightly more expensive, but offers tons of standard features like power heated seats, a heads-up display, and a booming 16-speaker audio system. Either way, these Type-series cars were made for carving up the paved surface.

Toyota GR Supra 3.0

382 Horsepower

The 2024 Toyota GR Supra is a performance sports car that is flirting with the exotic class, or at least competes with them. It is, however, still a mainstream ride, albeit one hell of a daily driver. It ain't for picking up the kids from soccer practice or hauling home big box store treasures, but it certainly makes a morning commute enjoyable, and short. As a companion to the BMW Z4, it was built for performance and comfort.

Power, Performance, And Price

(Performance stats sourced from Car and Driver)

The GR Supra offers a choice between a 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder and a 382-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, but it's honestly a no-brainer on which one to pick. The turbo-six paired with the six-speed manual transmission provides a nearly perfect driving experience. While this is clearly a performance-oriented ride, the suspension and steering are smooth enough to make it viable for everyday use.

Nissan Z NISMO - 400

420 Horsepower

The Z car is as iconic to the Datsun/Nissan brand as the Corvette is to Chevrolet or the Mustang to Ford. The 2024 Nissan Z comes with a powerful 400-horsepower twin-turbo V-6, but for a few dollars more, the Z NISMO blows minds and doors with a 420-horsepower version of the same engine. NISMO is a shortening of Nissan Motorsports, and is a separate division responsible for turning their cars into heat-seeking missiles.

Power, Performance, And Price

(Performance stats sourced from Car and Driver)

The 2024 Z NISMO is the closest thing to a supercar that still comes in a normal-looking package. That's not to say the Z isn't stylish, as it's one of the hotter sports car designs for 2024, but it is definitely not a GT car or F1 racer and offers a comfortable driving experience. Maybe a better descriptor is satisfying as this is one of the most enjoyable rides available with thrills through the entire gearbox.

Mercedes-AMG C43

402 Horsepower

All the cars on this list with more than 400 horsepower do it with turbo or twin-turbo six-cylinder engines, but the 2024 Mercedes-AMG C43 gets 402 ponies out of a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. The engine is assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system which gives a temporary 13-horsepower boost at lower RPMs. Even the turbocharger gets some help from an electric motor that spins the compressor quicker to cut down on turbo lag.

Power, Performance, And Price

(Performance stats sourced from Car and Driver)

All of this adds up to the quickest turbo four-cylinder for 2024, with a 3.9-second 0-60 time and a 12.5-second quarter-mile run. With all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, and adaptive dampers, the C43 never met a tight curve it couldn't dominate. As a four-door sports sedan, it's also practical enough for a daily driver as well as a suitable family car.

Audi RS5

444 Horsepower

The 2024 Audi RS5 two-door coupe is arguably the best-looking in the segment with sexy curves and an aggressive stance. It's also one of the most powerful, generating 444 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 engine. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts so smoothly that it goes unnoticed, and the responsive steering makes for effortless driving.

Power, performance, And Price

(Performance stats sourced from Car and Driver)

The RS5 has all-wheel drive and a sports-tuned suspension that applies its power to the road in a worry-free manner, with confidence in a road-hugging driving experience. Though this vehicle has near-supercar capabilities, it's not so unruly that it can't be a normal daily-use ride. It just looks a lot cooler and goes much faster than an average grocery-getter.

BMW M2

453 Horsepower

There is no practical reason why a subcompact car would need 435 horsepower, but kick-ass rides have never been based on being reasonable. The 2024 BMW M2 subcompact luxury vehicle packs those 435 ponies under the hood with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, that essentially makes it a factory drag car. It is, however, a finely-tuned performance vehicle that's even better on the curves than it is on a straightaway.

Power, Performance, And Price

(Performance stats sourced from Car and Driver)

The comfort and luxury of the 2024 M2 make it a sporty ride that's not just for the track or playing the weekend warrior. While the front offers plenty of room, the rear is a bit snug, so it can only serve as a family vehicle until the kids hit middle school. In the meantime, the whole brood can enjoy a smooth ride, crisp steering, and terrifying acceleration that pins everyone to the backs of their seats.

Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

472 Horsepower

Cadillac spent a lifetime making enormous luxury vehicles meant for rolling slowly and looking cool. This, however, is a new age and, while Caddy still makes some luxury beasts, it also produces the extremely agile CT4-V Blackwing sports sedan. Agile is a euphemism for "freaky fast" as the Blackwing comes with a 472-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6 that replaces Cadillac's history of land yachts with land rockets.

Power, Performance, And Price

(Performance stats sourced from Road & Track)

As the only American-made car in the segment, the 2024 CT4-V Blackwing outclasses its European and Japanese counterparts with the smoothest ride, as well as the most responsive handling. 2024 might be the last hurrah for the Blackwing as it's scheduled to be replaced by an all-electric version, but for the time being, it's the best-driving sedan, an epic performer, and the most powerful mainstream factory turbo for 2024.

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