15 Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Cars With Way Too Much Power
My neighbor once pulled up in what looked like a modest little hatchback—until he floored it and the thing practically levitated off the street.
Coffee flew, dogs barked, and his grin stretched wider than his fenders. There’s something hilariously absurd about stuffing big power into a small engine.
It’s like giving a toddler an espresso and asking it to sit still.
Turbocharged four-cylinders don’t always look intimidating, but some of them pack enough punch to humble V8s and surprise just about everyone.
1. Mercedes-AMG A45 S
Holy horsepower, Batman! The Mercedes-AMG A45 S holds the crown for the most powerful production four-cylinder engine ever made.
Cranking out a mind-bending 416 horsepower from just 2.0 liters, this pocket rocket hits 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.
Engineers at AMG must be wizards because they’ve somehow built an engine that produces 208 horsepower per liter.
The handcrafted engine follows AMG’s “one man, one engine” philosophy, with a single technician responsible for building each powerplant.
2. Honda Civic Type R (FL5)
Vroom with a view! Honda’s latest Civic Type R takes the humble hatchback formula and injects it with 315 horsepower of pure adrenaline.
Behind its oversized hood scoop lurks a 2.0-liter turbo that sends power exclusively to the front wheels. Unlike many rivals, this Japanese rocket ship comes only with a six-speed manual transmission.
The engineering brilliance becomes apparent when you realize Honda has virtually eliminated torque steer—that nasty tendency for powerful front-drivers to yank the steering wheel from your hands.
3. Subaru WRX STI (VA)
Rally heritage runs deep in Subaru’s tire-shredding WRX STI. The boxer four-cylinder’s distinctive rumble warns bystanders of the 310 turbocharged horses under its scooped hood.
Paired with Subaru’s legendary symmetrical all-wheel drive, this Japanese rocket ship claws through corners with supernatural grip.
Born from Subaru’s World Rally Championship success, the STI carries competition DNA in every bolt.
The EJ25 engine might be old-school technology compared to newer rivals, but its bulletproof reliability and tuning potential have created a cult following among performance enthusiasts.
4. Ford Focus RS
Drift mode activated! Ford’s Focus RS transformed the humble family hatchback into a 350-horsepower monster that could literally drift on command.
Engineers borrowed the Mustang’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine but cranked up the boost to create a hot hatch legend. What makes the RS truly special is its innovative all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring.
The car can send up to 70% of power to the rear wheels, and then 100% of that power to either rear wheel. This drift-happy setup earned it instant cult status when it launched in 2016.
5. Volkswagen Golf R
Sleeper alert! Beneath the Golf R’s understated exterior lurks a 315-horsepower beast waiting to embarrass sports cars at stoplights.
Volkswagen’s hot hatch hero delivers supercar-slaying acceleration without screaming for attention.
The fourth-generation EA888 2.0-liter turbo engine pairs with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system that can send torque to individual wheels.
Unlike its rowdier competitors, the Golf R maintains its composure even when pushed to the limit. Daily driver practicality meets weekend track toy in one beautifully engineered package.
6. Audi S3
Quattro power in a pint-sized package! Audi’s S3 packs 306 horsepower of turbocharged fury into its compact frame, creating a luxury rocket that flies under the radar.
The 2.0-liter TFSI engine delivers power with the clinical precision you’d expect from the four-ringed brand.
Launch control transforms this sophisticated German into a stoplight warrior capable of hitting 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
Despite its performance credentials, the S3 maintains Audi’s signature refinement with a premium interior that coddles occupants while the boosted four-pot up front sings its turbocharged song.
7. Hyundai Elantra N
Korea’s horsepower revolution continues with the Elantra N! Hyundai’s performance division has transformed the humble Elantra into a 276-horsepower track weapon with an attitude problem.
Push the red button on the steering wheel to activate N Grin Shift mode for a 10-second overboost to 286 horsepower.
The Elantra N’s party piece is its exhaust system that pops, bangs, and crackles like a bowl of angry Rice Krispies.
Variable exhaust valves and anti-lag technology borrowed from rally cars ensure this Korean rocket punches way above its weight class. Who knew sensible could be so much fun?
8. BMW M135i xDrive
Bavarian muscle in a compact package! BMW’s M135i xDrive stuffs 302 turbocharged horsepower into its smallest car, creating a premium hot hatch that can embarrass larger sports cars.
The B48 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivers its power with the smooth, linear thrust BMW is famous for.
Purists might mourn the loss of the old M140i’s straight-six engine, but the new four-pot delivers nearly identical performance with better fuel economy.
All-wheel drive provides tenacious grip in all weather conditions, making this Bimmer a true year-round performance machine. Technology meets tradition in this pint-sized powerhouse.
9. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Long live the Evo! Though discontinued in 2016, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X remains legendary for extracting 291 turbocharged horsepower from its 2.0-liter 4B11T engine.
Rally-bred from bumper to bumper, this Japanese icon delivered supercar-slaying performance at a fraction of the price.
The Evo’s Super All-Wheel Control system could make average drivers feel like rally champions.
Active yaw control, active center differential, and active stability control worked in harmony to create otherworldly cornering abilities.
10. Toyota GR Corolla
Three cylinders, three exhausts, and pure insanity! Toyota’s GR Corolla proves you don’t need lots of cylinders to make mega power.
This rally-inspired hot hatch squeezes 300 horsepower from just three cylinders and 1.6 liters of displacement—that’s 100 horses per cylinder!
Developed by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division under the watchful eye of company president Akio Toyoda (who races under the name “Morizo”), the GR Corolla features a manual-only transmission and variable all-wheel drive.
The driver can adjust power distribution between 60:40, 50:50, or 30:70 front-to-rear with a simple dial.
11. Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV
Italian passion meets turbo power! The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde (QV) brings Mediterranean flair to the hot hatch segment with its 240-horsepower 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
The same basic engine later powered the 4C sports car, giving this humble hatchback exotic DNA.
Launching in 2010, the Giulietta QV delivered its power with distinctly Italian character—dramatic, emotional, and slightly temperamental.
The engine’s off-beat growl and the car’s gorgeous styling made it the romantic choice in a segment often dominated by logical German alternatives. Practicality meets passion in this spicy Italian number.
12. Renault Megane RS Trophy-R
Sacré bleu! The French know how to build hot hatches, and the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R stands as proof.
This 300-horsepower front-wheel-drive monster once held the Nürburgring record, beating many all-wheel-drive rivals around the famous German track.
Weight savings border on obsession—no back seats, carbon fiber wheels, and a carbon fiber hood shaved off every possible gram.
The 1.8-liter turbocharged engine works with a mechanical limited-slip differential and race-tuned suspension to deliver track performance that defies physics.
Only 500 were made, making this French rocket as rare as it is rapid.
13. Mini John Cooper Works GP
Pocket-sized fury! The Mini JCW GP crams 301 horsepower into one of the smallest performance cars money can buy.
BMW’s potent 2.0-liter turbo engine gives this limited-edition Mini acceleration that can pin you to your seat like a roller coaster.
Limited to just 3,000 units worldwide, the GP stands out with its massive rear wing and distinctive wheel arch extensions made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.
No back seats here—they were removed to save weight and make room for a chassis-stiffening brace. The result is a tiny terror that can hit 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds.
14. Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo
America’s forgotten hot hatch hero! The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo shocked the performance world when it set a Nürburgring front-wheel-drive record in 2008.
This unexpected champion packed 260 horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec engine—serious muscle for its time.
GM engineers worked magic on the humble Cobalt platform, adding a limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, and a suspension tuned on the Nürburgring.
The result was a giant-destroyer that could hang with cars costing twice as much. Despite its tremendous performance, the Cobalt SS disappeared with little fanfare when GM restructured in 2010.
15. Volvo V60 Polestar
Wagons aren’t supposed to be this fast! The Volvo V60 Polestar proves Swedes have a wild side with its 367-horsepower turbocharged AND supercharged 2.0-liter engine.
This grocery-getter hits 60 mph in 4.5 seconds while still having room for the family dog.
Polestar, formerly Volvo’s racing partner before becoming its performance division, transformed the sensible V60 into a stealth fighter.
The signature Rebel Blue paint became instantly recognizable among enthusiasts. Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes, and all-wheel drive ensure this Swedish missile can handle as well as it accelerates.