10 Affordable Small SUVs with Turbocharged Engines for 2025

It’s a good thing right now that a big trend in the auto industry is turbocharging. Automakers are dropping turbos on all kinds of engines and kinds of vehicles.

Turbos aren’t just for sports cars and luxury vehicles anymore. It’s quite common to see a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (or even smaller in some instances) in a small SUV. It’s even more exciting that, in many cases, the turbo doesn’t cost that much and, in fact, makes the SUV more appealing to the consumer.

2025 Chevy Trax

$20,500/1.2-Liter Three-Cylinder

Base Trim Engine

1.2L Turbo 3 Cylinder Gas

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

137 hp

Base Trim Torque

162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm

Fuel Economy

28/32 MPG

Make

Chevrolet

Model

Trax

0-60 MPH

8.0 seconds

Infotainment & Features

7 /10

Similar to the Buick Encore GX listed, the Trax is not going to blow anyone away. It has no brand or name recognition and very little sex appeal, but it does have a small, turbocharged engine and a small MSRP. That’s why it tops this list as the most affordable turbocharged vehicle available.

Chevrolet Pressroom

The 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivers an efficient estimated fuel economy of up to 30 mpg combined, providing a good balance of power for city driving and savings at the pump.

2025 Volkswagen Taos

$25,495/1.5-Liter Four-Cylinder

Base Trim Engine

1.5L I4 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

174 HP @5500 RPM

Base Trim Torque

184 lb.-ft. @ 1750 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

28/36/31 MPG

Make

Volkswagen

Model

Taos

Segment

Subcompact SUV

Another Volkswagen lands on this list. The Germans know a thing or two about turbocharging engineering. It received a notable refresh this year and showcases a properly powered engine and updated styling.

Volkswagen

The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine now produces 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque—a significant 16-horsepower boost over the previous model. The eight-speed automatic transmission has no noticeable turbo lag, while also delivering solid fuel returns.

2025 Buick Encore GX

$25,940/1.3-Liter Three-Cylinder

Base Trim Engine

1.2L Turbo I3

Base Trim Transmission

cvt

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

137 hp

Base Trim Torque

174 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm

Fuel Economy

26/28 MPG

Make

Buick

Model

Encore GX

Segment

Subcompact Luxury SUV

Keep in mind, this isn’t a list of the coolest vehicles or status symbol cars. Because the Encore, which is rather uninspiring from the outside looking in, would not make such a list. However, thanks to its turbocharged engine, the Encore GX is a surprising entrant here. While the standard Encore was discontinued due to low sales, the 2025 Encore GX exists as a value-buy for drivers seeking a subcompact SUV with premium styling and a quiet, comfortable interior without paying a luxury price.

Buick

Buick is a brand that sits between a basic line and a luxury line. The luxury-adjacent tone it sets is emphasized in the Encore GX with a refined, comfortable interior and near-luxury amenities.

2025 Nissan Rogue

$28,790/1.5-Liter VC Turbo Three-Cylinder

Base Trim Engine

1.5-liter 3-cylinder

Base Trim Transmission

CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

201 hp

Base Trim Torque

225 lb-ft

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

30/37/33 mpg

Make

Nissan

Model

Rogue

Segment

Compact SUV

The Rogue is only one model year removed from a total refresh, so the 2025 version still looks modern and updated. It is one of the best-looking vehicles in the Nissan fleet, featuring a bold front grille, standard LED lighting, and sculpted body lines. New this year is the Rock Creek trim, which is an off-road version with exclusive design looks, including a blacked-out grille.

Nissan USA

The turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine is both peppy and fuel-efficient, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. Most impressive is Nissan‘s variable compression technology, which adjusts the engine to prioritize either fuel economy or power, giving you the best of both worlds.

2025 Hyundai Kona

$29,550/1.6-Liter Four-Cylinder

Base Trim Engine

2L Nu PE I4 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

147 HP @6200 RPM

Base Trim Torque

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

29/34/31 MPG

Make

Hyundai

Model

Kona

Segment

Subcompact SUV

The Hyundai Kona has an all-new look for this model year, which has been met with mixed reviews. Some love the youthful exuberance it portrays, and others find it something too frilly that will age quickly. Regardless of the looks, it has breathed new life into this small SUV.

Hyundai

The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is standard on the N-Line and Limited trims. We don’t like keeping the turbo to those two trims only, because with the squatty styling and this turbo, the Kona is fun and engaging.

2025 Honda CR-V

$30,100/1.5-Liter Turbo Four-Cylinder

Base Trim Engine

1.5L I4 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

190 HP @6000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

179 lb.-ft. @ 1700 RPM

Fuel Economy

28/34 MPG

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

28/34/30 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

Make

Honda

The CR-V is one of the most tried-and-true SUVs on the road. There’s a reason why the CR-V has been around since the mid-1990s, and if any SUV belongs on this list, it’s the loyal CR-V. While it may not be the flashiest or most luxurious, its reputation for reliability and practicality makes it an excellent all-around vehicle.

CarBuzz

There are two engine options, including a hybrid version. However, for this list, we are focusing on the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The 190 horsepower isn’t the most impressive, but it offers plenty of power as a daily driver.

2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

$30,245/2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder

Base Trim Engine

2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

201 HP @6000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

206 lb.-ft. @ 1900 RPM

Make

Volkswagen

Model

Tiguan

Segment

Compact SUV

I already proclaimed that the 2025 VW Tiguan was one of my favorite vehicles of the entire 2025 model year. Sure, the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine has something to do with why it is such a great SUV. In fact, the 2025 version is now the most powerful offering of the Tiguan with more than 200 horsepower.

The redesigned Tiguan is built on an enhanced platform, resulting in sharper handling, a more confident and responsive steering feel, and greater driving engagement, especially on winding roads. Even with larger optional wheels, the ride remains smooth and composed, with excellent control over bumps.

2025 Ford Escape

$30,350/1.5-Liter Three-Cylinder

Base Trim Engine

1.5L EcoBoost I3 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

180 HP @6000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

199 lb.-ft. @ 3000 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

27/34/30 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

Make

Ford

Model

Escape

Even though Ford is discontinuing the Escape after the 2026 model year, that doesn’t disqualify it from this list. In fact, I think it shows what a mistake Ford is making by getting rid of this turbocharged, steady-eddy SUV. Is it flashy? No. Is it a status symbol? No. But it’s an excellent SUV with enough power and space that is well-priced.

Ford

A 180-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine is standard on most trims and offers efficient everyday performance. And that’s the point of the Escape is the everyday consistency and performance from it. That’s why this turbocharged SUV is a good selection here at an affordable price, too. A more powerful 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine is available on higher trims and includes all-wheel drive. This is the ideal configuration for the Escape.

2025 Kia Seltos

$31,090/1.6-Liter Four-Cylinder

Base Trim Engine

2L I4 ICE

Base Trim Transmission

CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

146 HP @6200 RPM

Base Trim Torque

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

27/31/29 MPG

Make

Kia

Model

Seltos

Segment

Subcompact SUV

Never mind the non-turbo base engine of the Seltos, which lacks any punch or power. The more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes nearly 200 horsepower. Sure, the Selto is not a big seller and has a weird name. Of all the cars on this list, the Seltos might be the least known, but that’s why it’s listed here. It’s a sleeper.

CarBuzz

A torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system provides enhanced traction and confidence in diverse driving conditions. There’s 62 cubic feet of cargo room inside, too, meaning it’s bigger than it looks.

2025 Mazda CX-30

$33,140/2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder

Base Trim Engine

SKYACTIV-G 2.5L ICE

Base Trim Transmission

SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

191 HP @6000 RPM

Base Trim Torque

186 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

26/33/29 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

Make

Mazda

Model

CX-30

Mazda continues to lean into what they do best, which is focus on producing vehicles with driving personality. That turbo in the CX-30 is instantly noticeable and makes you feel every one of those 250 horses. There’s standard all-wheel drive and responsive steering, making the CX-30 so much fun to drive on winding roads.

Mazda

The turbo version costs a couple of thousand dollars more but is totally worth it. The interior, though a little cramped, is surprisingly refined with impressive touchpoints.