Lately, the Indian car market has seen a big surge in the demand for performance-oriented cars. Turbocharged engines are not a new feature in cars, but initially, they were too costly for the Indian market, so most buyers never considered it. Vehicles that use these engines generate more power as compared to naturally aspirated engines, thus offering smoother drive, handling, and better mileage. The engines feel more refined at high speeds, so transitioning from low to high speeds and vice-versa is a cinch! They don’t produce much noise, so travelling is more enjoyable for the occupant, while sound pollution is reduced. Keep reading as we go over the top turbocharged cars in India under Rs. 8 lakh so you can make up your mind about which vehicle to buy.
What is a Turbocharger?
A turbocharger operates as a forced induction system that uses compression of intake air to enhance engine power output before combining the compressed air with the combustion chamber. Engine capacity remains stable with a turbocharger system because it uses forced air pressure instead of atmospheric pressure to increase power output. Correct engineering makes turbocharger systems improve both engine performance and fuel efficiency simultaneously.
How Does a Turbocharger Work?
A turbocharger functions through two key components:
- Turbine: Driven by exhaust gases, it spins and powers the compressor.
- Compressor: Draws in and compresses air before delivering it to the engine.
- Intercooler (if present): Cools the compressed air for better efficiency.
- Wastegate: Regulates the boost pressure to prevent engine strain.
This system allows a smaller engine to deliver the power of a larger engine while maintaining better mileage and lower emissions.
Why Are Turbocharged Cars Gaining Popularity in India?
There are many reasons behind the popularity of turbochargers, such as:
- Better Performance: Delivers higher torque and power without increasing engine size.
- Fuel Efficiency: Turbo engines can offer better mileage compared to larger naturally aspirated engines.
- Eco-Friendly: Modern turbocharged engines comply with BS6 norms, reducing carbon emissions.
- Driving Excitement: Enthusiasts prefer turbo engines for their quick acceleration and engaging driving dynamics.
List of Turbocharged Cars in India under Rs. 8 Lakh:
Here’s a detailed list of the top Turbocharged cars in India, along with the table for their turbocharged variants:
| Car | Transmission | Mileage | Ex-Showroom Price | Used car price (starting from) |
| Nissan Magnite | 5-speed Manual / CVT | 20 km/l / | Rs. 6.14 – 11.92 Lakh | Rs. 5.29 Lakh |
| Renault Kiger | 5-speed Manual / CVT | 19.8 km/l / 5MT, 18.2 km/l / CVT | Rs. 6.10 – 11.23 Lakh | Rs. 6.05 Lakh |
| Tata Altroz iTurbo | 5-speed Manual | 18.5 km/l | Rs. 8.35 Lakh | Rs. 5.78 Lakh |
| Tata Nexon | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed AMT / 7-speed DCT | 17.4 km/l / 6MT, 17.2 km/l / 6AMT, 17 km/l / 7DCT | Rs. 8.00 – 15.60 Lakh | Rs. 5.73 |
| Hyundai Venue | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed iMT / 7-speed DCT | 18 km/l / 6MT, 18.8 km/l / 7DCT, 18.3 km/l / 6iMT | Rs. 7.94 – 13.62 Lakh | Rs. 8.57 Lakh |
| Skoda Kylaq | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed Automatic | 19.76 km/l / 6MT, 18.86 km/l / 6AT | Rs. 7.89 – 14.40 Lakh | – |
| Maruti Suzuki Fronx | 5-speed Manual / 6-speed Automatic | 21.5 km/l / 5MT, 20.01 km/l / 6AT | Rs. 7.52 – 13.04 Lakh | Rs. 9.51 Lakh |
Nissan Magnite
The Magnite uses a 1.0L HRA0, 3-cylinder engine, which generates a torque of 160 Nm. The HRA0 is a one-of-a-kind engine that uses mirror-bore cylinder coating technology to deliver stellar performance. It minimises resistance inside the engine, helping to regulate heat management and combustion more effectively. The vehicle takes an average of 12.8 seconds to go from 0 to 100km/hr, which is around 50% better than naturally aspirated engines, especially during overtaking and take-off. It has a solid ground clearance of 205 mm, which guarantees a stable ride over uneven surfaces, reducing body roll and undercarriage scraping. The car has a wider gear range, which ensures handling is secure.
Nissan Magnite Specifications:
- Engine: 999 cc
- Transmission: Manual and Automatic
- Mileage: 17.4 kmpl to 20 kmpl
- Airbags: 6
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: SUV
Nissan Magnite Key Features
- 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 360-degree camera for enhanced visibility
- Digital instrument cluster for a modern look
- Wireless charging and ambient lighting
- Dual-tone interiors and spacious cabin
Renault Kiger
Equipped with a 1.0L, 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine, the Kiger produces 160 Nm of torque. The acceleration is swift, with the car going from 0 to 100 km/hr in 10. 27 seconds. The vehicle is suitable for daily commutes and long road trips, as handling is good due to the lack of any “turbo lag”. The Eco mode is said to bring out the fuel efficiency in the best way, although throttle response is slightly better in the Sport mode.
Renault Kiger Key Specifications:
- Engine: 999 cc
- Transmission: Manual and Automatic
- Mileage: 18.24 kmpl to 20.5 kmpl
- Airbags: 4
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: SUV
Renault Kiger Key Features
- 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system
- 7-inch digital driver display
- Wireless smartphone connectivity
- Air purifier and automatic climate control
Tata Altroz iTurbo
The Altroz iTurbo uses a 1.2L, 3-cylinder petrol engine and produces a torque of 140 Nm, and a 1.5L, 4-cylinder diesel engine while producing a torque of 200 Nm, with an acceleration that goes from 0 to 100 km/hr in 12.52 seconds. The power delivery is seamless, so you won’t face any trouble, even after navigating through bumper-to-bumper traffic in the city. On highways, you might feel the engine is a tad too slow while revving up. Frequent gear shifts aren’t required. It is available in City and Sport modes, with the latter being more convenient for driving.
Tata Altroz iTurbo Specifications:
- Engine: 1497 cc (Diesel) and 1199 cc (Petrol)
- Transmission: Manual and Automatic
- Mileage: 18.13 kmpl
- Airbags: 6
- Fuel Type: Petrol and Diesel
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: Hatchback
Tata Altroz iTurbo Key Features
- Harman 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- iRA connected car technology
- Rear AC vents for passenger comfort
- Premium leatherette seats
Tata Nexon
The Nexon comes with two turbocharged engines: a 1.5L, 4-cylinder diesel engine and a 1.2L, 3-cylinder petrol engine. Torque is 170 Nm and 260 Nm for the petrol and diesel engines respectively. An iCNG variant, which is India’s first CNG turbocharged car, was launched in 2024 with a torque of 170 Nm and a 1.2L, 3-cylinder. The car takes 11 to 12 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/hr. There are three drive modes available such as Eco, City, and Sport, with user reviews favouring the Sport mode as being the most responsive. The vehicle glides smoothly on both city roads and highways, thanks to its strong mid-range power delivery post 2,000 rpm and decent torque, which prevents frequent gear shifts. Moreover, braking is comparatively hassle-free as it barely leans through corners. However, the car has been known to produce some vibrations (for the diesel engine), which can be felt inside the cabin, too.
Tata Nexon Specifications:
- Engine: 1199 cc (Petrol and CNG) and 1497 cc (Diesel)
- Transmission: Manual and Automatic
- Mileage: 17.01 to 24.08 kmpl (Petrol and Diesel) and 17.44 km/kg (CNG)
- Airbags: 6
- Fuel Type: Petrol, Diesel, and CNG
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: SUV
Tata Nexon Key Features
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Digital driver display and 360-degree camera
- Wireless charger and connected car features
- Six airbags and electronic stability control
- Premium sound system with subwoofer
Hyundai Venue
The Venue comes with a 1.0L, 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that is powerful and offers responsive shifting due to incorporating a dual-clutch automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. The car has 3 driving modes, which are Eco, Sport, and Normal. It produces a torque of 172 Nm while going from 0 to 100 km/hr in 11.49 seconds. The Normal mode promises a swift ride, which becomes better when you transition to Sport. The steering feels light while offering a firm grip as speeds go up. You won’t feel bumps, potholes, and other imperfections on the road, as the vehicle does a great job of absorbing impact. However, you might experience slight jerks while cruising on highways.
Hyundai Venue Specifications:
- Engine: 998 cc
- Transmission: Manual and DCT Automatic
- Mileage: 14.5 kmpl to 24.2 kmpl
- Airbags: 6
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: SUV
Hyundai Venue Key Features
- 8-inch infotainment display with Bluelink connected car tech
- Air purifier and wireless smartphone charging
- Electric sunroof for added luxury
- Automatic climate control with rear AC vents
Skoda Kylaq
The Kylaq comes with a 1.0L, 3-cylinder TSI engine that promises an incredible ride in a lightweight body with a tighter wheelbase. Whether it is manoeuvring around sharp bends or tricky corners or just driving to work and back, the car won’t disappoint. If you are fond of road trips, you will certainly enjoy its stability on highways, even if the roads are rough with constant level changes and bumps. The steering is quick and predictable, making it super easy to switch from one corner to the next. It generates a torque of 178 Nm and has an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/hr in 10.5 seconds.
Skoda Kylaq Specifications:
- Engine: 999 cc
- Transmission: Manual and Automatic
- Mileage: 19.05 kmpl to 19.68 kmpl
- Airbags: 6
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: SUV
Skoda Kylaq Key Features
- 10-inch touchscreen infotainment with connected car features
- Ventilated front seats for enhanced comfort
- Wireless charging and ambient lighting
- Six airbags and electronic stability control
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
This vehicle has a 1.0L, 3-cylinder Turbo Boosterjet engine that produces a torque of 150 Nm, thus letting the car pick up from 0 to 100 km/hr in just 11 seconds! When you drive on city roads, the engine doesn’t struggle during lower revs while being able to keep up with traffic sans frequent gear shifts. It is considerably fast on highways as well, but not as much as some of its rivals with similar engine specifications. The suspension system makes the ride over potholes, bumps, and rough roads quite pleasant. There might be some body roll at curves and bends, but there won’t be any issue as such, as the electric power steering offers a steady grip.
Maruti Suzuki Fronx Specifications:
- Engine: 998 cc
- Transmission: Manual and Automatic
- Mileage: 21.79 kmpl to 22.89 kmpl
- Airbags: 6
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Body Type: SUV
Maruti Suzuki Fronx Key Features
- 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Heads-Up Display (HUD) for improved visibility
- Wireless charging with smartphone connectivity
- 360-degree camera for easy parking
Summary:
Earlier, turbocharged engines were exclusive to sports cars and luxury vehicles. Still, due to consumer demand and changing trends in the automobile industry, car manufacturers are designing more vehicles with these engines while ensuring they are affordable. This trend is all set to dominate the Indian automobile market in the future, especially due to consumers prioritising efficiency and quality performance without paying exorbitant amounts. Even though the fuel efficiency is commendable, some turbocharged cars in India under Rs. 8 lakh tend to use up more fuel, regardless of whether you drive on city roads or highways, so choose wisely.
FAQs
How does turbocharging work?
A turbocharger uses a turbine and compressor. When air enters the engine, the turbine compresses it, which allows better fuel combustion. This simple process ensures better fuel efficiency and more power while driving.
When did turbocharged engines enter the market?
Hyundai was the first car manufacturer that came up with a turbocharged engine produced locally in its 2019 Venue SUV, which had a 120hp, 1.0-L 3-cylinder unit. Others followed soon with the Aura compact sedan, Grand i10 Nios Hatchback, and the second generation Creta.
What is turbo lag?
A slight delay in response after pressing on the accelerator is known as turbo lag, which occurs if the engine fails to generate sufficient exhaust gas required to spin the turbine wheel fast enough. Rash driving and sudden acceleration from a closed throttle position often cause lag. Twin-turbochargers and superchargers can prevent or at least reduce lag.
What is a twin-turbo engine?
Just as its name sounds, it is a car engine equipped with two turbochargers. The working mechanism is the same, except that dual turbochargers operate simultaneously to direct compressed air into the combustion chamber. Twin-turbo engines generate almost double the power as compared to naturally aspirated engines and are usually free from lag.
Do turbocharged engines consume more fuel?
Turbocharged engines have a smaller capacity, which makes them more efficient. But fuel economy depends on how often and the way you drive. If you drive recklessly, the engine will use up more fuel, while those who drive smoothly can expect decent fuel economy.
