The 5 cheapest cars with supercharged engines in 2024

Once a rare powerplant, cars with supercharged engines are now available across the automotive industry. Supercharged cars, which use a turbocharger or supercharger (there is a difference) to produce more power, are ubiquitous. A turbocharger uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine, forcing more air into the engine, thus producing more power. Turbochargers are often used on small engines that are very efficient, and while the turbocharger itself does not increase efficiency, it does allow for increased power while still allowing the use of a smaller, more efficient engine.

advertisement

A supercharger uses a belt-driven system to add air to the engine. Like a turbocharger, it increases the amount of air in the engine and mixes it with additional fuel to add power. However, superchargers are known to be less efficient and operate while drawing power from the engine. As a result, superchargers have become less popular and there are fewer cars with supercharged engines.

These days, the supply of supercharged cars is very limited, with most of them in high-performance or luxury car names with lots of horsepower. But if you’re looking for a supercharged car, you still have some options.

Virtually none of these cars are cheap, but it’s important to note that they are among the cheapest supercharged vehicles available these days. We’ve only included cars with starting prices under $100,000, which is a pretty high bar, but considering the circumstances, you can’t get any cheaper.

advertisement

Proving that supercharged cars don’t come cheap, one of the least expensive options on our list is the luxury sedan, the Volvo S90. The S90 is powered by a 2.0-liter engine that’s uniquely set up to be both supercharged and turbocharged. Called the T6 powertrain, it’s one of the very few manufacturers to offer both forced induction systems from the factory. It puts out impressive horsepower for a small engine, currently producing 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque in the base S90 trim. The S90 Recharge uses the same engine but adds a plug-in hybrid electric system, resulting in a significant increase in horsepower, making 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque.

advertisement

Pricing for the S90 starts at $59,695 (including a $1,195 delivery charge) for the base Plus model and $67,045 for the plug-in hybrid model. Other Volvo models offer their own supercharged and turbocharged (twin-charged) powertrains, but we like the S90 for its refined sedan vibe. The Volvo XC90 SUV, for example, also has a twin-charged engine, and offers both a standard turbocharged engine and a plug-in hybrid for a similar price.

The sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro isn’t around for much longer. Chevrolet has announced that this will be the final model year of the current generation of the iconic muscle car, and while we may see the name return in the future, it’s unlikely to be outfitted with such a potent powerplant again.

advertisement

The standard version of the 2024 Camaro offers a choice of a 355-horsepower V6 or a beefy 455-horsepower V8, but the ZL1 is special: it’s powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8. The ZL1’s 6.2-liter engine is called the LT4, and it’s the same engine found under the hood of the seventh-generation Corvette Z06, Cadillac CT5 V Blackwing (more on that later), and Cadillac Escalade V.

Under the hood of the ZL1 is an LT4 engine that produces 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, enough power to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Like a true muscle car, the ZL1 sends power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission or an optional quick-shifting 10-speed automatic. Available features include a hardcore track package and a limited-production Collector’s Edition, but those will be hard to come by as GM plans to build only 350 units. Pricing for the base version of the 2024 Camaro ZL1 starts at $75,395, and special edition models go up from there, but keep in mind that since it’s the final year of production, it might be a bit difficult to get one at that price.

advertisement

Like the Camaro, the Jaguar F-Type is also reaching the end of its lifespan. Jaguar has announced that the F-Type will only be on sale until early 2025. The final model will be produced and then handed over to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust to become part of the Heritage Collection. Like many car manufacturers, Jaguar is moving towards an all-electric future, which means the big, fuel-guzzling V8 engines will be phased out. So if you want to own one of the best sounding V8s of all time, now’s your chance.

advertisement

First launched in 2013, the F-Type has been offered as a coupe or convertible and has been offered with a variety of engines over the years, including an impressive supercharged V6 and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. However, the current 2024 Jaguar F-Type has a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 under its hood.

The base model, known as the P450, produces 444 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque. The upgrade model uses a 575-horsepower version of the supercharged V8 and is, naturally, called the P575. The starting price for the base F-Type P450 is $79,275 (including a $1,375 delivery charge), which is pretty reasonable considering the F-Type’s luxurious fit and finish. However, the P575 version of the F-Type is much less likely to be classified as “inexpensive,” with a starting price of around $115,000.

advertisement

For a time, it looked as though the entire Stellantis family would be Hellcat-equipped: The 6.2-liter supercharged V8 first appeared under the hood of the 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat and eventually powered the Ram TRX, Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and the large, three-row Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. Where’s the Caravan Hellcat when you need one?

advertisement

At launch, the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine produced 707 horsepower under the hood of the Challenger, which increased to 717 horsepower in subsequent models like the Charger, then increased further to 797 horsepower in the Redeye model and 807 horsepower in the Jailbreak model, before finally upending convention with the 1,025-horsepower Challenger SRT Demon 170. Now, as the saying goes, the cheese stands on its own.

With the Challenger, Charger, Ram TRX, and Grand Cherokee Trackhawk all now out of production, the only member of the Hellcat family left is the Dodge Durango, a spacious family SUV with a supercharged V8 engine that produces 710 horsepower. So how much will it cost to own one of the last supercharged Hellcats? The Durango SRT Hellcat starts at $97,590 (including a $1,595 delivery charge), just under our self-imposed $100,000 limit. The Durango SRT Hellcat comes standard with all-wheel drive and other features like larger Brembo brakes and a sport-tuned suspension. A third row of seating is standard, but a two-row version is available.

advertisement

Want supercharged American muscle in a two-door configuration? Want tire-slicing power combined with a back seat? Want a little luxury with a massive V8 engine? That’s where the Cadillac CT5 V Blackwing comes in. Like the Camaro ZL1, the CT5 V Blackwing uses General Motors’ LT4 supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. And like the Camaro, the CT5 is available with your choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic transmission.

advertisement

However, the Caddy makes 668 horsepower instead of 650, and its torque is 659 pound-feet compared to the Camaro’s 650. Naturally, the four-door Cadillac is a bit heavier, which means it accelerates slightly slower from 0 to 60 mph, but there’s no denying that a 3.5-second time is extremely quick.

A muscle car in luxury sedan guise, the CT5 V Blackwing comes equipped with leather seats, heated and ventilated seats, a head-up display, and all the high-end amenities you’d expect. Ride quality is excellent for a high-performance sedan, and the quiet, comfortable interior seats four with much more ease than the Camaro. And while it’s not exactly cheap, or even a sleeper, the CT5 V Blackwing certainly boasts big performance in a relatively modest way, especially considering its starting price of $94,890.

advertisement