Top 20 Best MPG Turbocharged Cars – 2012

Turbocharging is one of the best ways to make horsepower and torque without a negative impact on fuel economy. Our list of the most fuel-efficient turbocharged vehicles of 2012 is dominated by European manufacturers. With little surprise, the top spots go to the Volkswagen and Audi TDI turbo-diesels. The roomy Volkswagen Passat TDI leads the list at 31 city / 43 highway / 35 combined miles per gallon (MPG). You’ll find just one entry each for the American and Japanese manufacturers, with the Chevrolet Cruze ECO and Nissan Juke landing in the top ten. The spunky Fiat 500 Abarth earns a spot in the top ten, as well. On the other side of the coin, the Bugatti Veyron earns the Thirstiest Turbo of 2012 award with ratings of 8 city / 15 highway / 10 combined (not that it matters to the typical Veyron owner).

Volkswagen Passat TDI

  • Volkswagen Passat TDI
  • Audi A3 TDI
  • Volkswagen Golf TDI
  • Volkswagen Jetta TDI / Jetta Sportwagen TDI
  • Chevrolet Cruze ECO
  • Chevrolet Sonic Sedan / Sonic Five-Door
  • Fiat 500 Abarth
  • Mini Cooper S
  • Nissan Juke
  • Audi A6
  • BMW 328i
  • Mini Cooper S Countryman
  • Mini John Cooper Works
  • BMW 328i
  • BMW 528i
  • BMW Z4 sDrive28i
  • Volkswagen GTI
  • Volkswagen Jetta
  • Audi TT Coupe/Roadster Quattro
  • BMW 335i

2012 Turbocharged Cars, Trucks, and SUVs Listed by MPGs

Manufacturer Model Liters Cyl. Transmission City Hwy. Comb. Drive Fuel
Volkswagen Passat 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 31 43 35 FWD D
Audi A3 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 30 42 34 FWD D
Volkswagen Golf 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 30 42 34 FWD D
Volkswagen Golf 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 30 42 34 FWD D
Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 30 42 34 FWD D
Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 30 42 34 FWD D
Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 30 42 34 FWD D
Volkswagen Passat 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 30 40 34 FWD D
Chevrolet Cruze ECO 1.4 4 Manual (M6) 28 42 33 FWD G
Chevrolet Sonic 1.4 4 Manual (M6) 29 40 33 FWD G
Chevrolet Sonic 5 1.4 4 Manual (M6) 29 40 33 FWD G
Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 29 39 33 FWD D
Chevrolet Cruze ECO 1.4 4 Auto (A6) 26 39 31 FWD G
Chevrolet Sonic 1.4 4 Auto (S6) 27 37 31 FWD G
Chevrolet Sonic 5 1.4 4 Auto (S6) 27 37 31 FWD G
FIAT 500 Abarth 1.4 4 Manual (M5) 28 34 31 FWD P
Chevrolet Cruze 1.4 4 Auto (S6) 26 38 30 FWD G
Chevrolet Cruze 1.4 4 Manual (M6) 26 38 30 FWD G
Mini Mini Cooper S 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 27 35 30 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Clubman 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 27 35 30 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 27 35 30 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Coupe 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 27 35 30 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Roadster 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 27 35 30 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S 1.6 4 Auto (S6) 26 34 29 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Clubman 1.6 4 Auto (S6) 26 34 29 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Convertible 1.6 4 Auto (S6) 26 34 29 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Countryman 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 26 32 29 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Coupe 1.6 4 Auto (S6) 26 34 29 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Roadster 1.6 4 Auto (S6) 26 34 29 FWD P
Nissan Juke 1.6 4 Auto (AV-S6) 27 32 29 FWD P
Audi A6 2.0 4 Auto (AV) 25 33 28 FWD P
BMW 328i 2.0 4 Auto (A8) 24 36 28 RWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Countryman 1.6 4 Auto (S6) 25 32 28 FWD P
Mini Mini Cooper S Countryman All4 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 25 31 28 AWD P
Mini Mini John Cooper Works 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 25 33 28 FWD P
Mini Mini John Cooper Works Clubman 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 25 33 28 FWD P
Mini Mini John Cooper Works Conv 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 25 33 28 FWD P
Mini Mini John Cooper Works Coupe 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 25 33 28 FWD P
Mini Mini John Cooper Works Roadster 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 25 33 28 FWD P
BMW 328i 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 23 34 27 RWD P
BMW 528i 2.0 4 Auto (A8) 23 34 27 RWD P
BMW Z4 sDrive28i 2.0 4 Auto (A8) 24 33 27 RWD P
BMW Z4 sDrive28i 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 23 34 27 RWD P
Nissan Juke 1.6 4 Manual (M6) 25 31 27 FWD P
Nissan Juke AWD 1.6 4 Auto (AV-S6) 25 30 27 AWD P
Volkswagen GTI 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 24 33 27 FWD P
Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 24 32 27 FWD P
Audi TT Coupe Quattro 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 23 31 26 AWD P
Audi TT Roadster Quattro 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 23 31 26 AWD P
BMW 335i 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 23 33 26 RWD P
BMW 528i xDrive 2.0 4 Auto (A8) 22 32 26 AWD P
BMW 640i Coupe 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 23 33 26 RWD P
Hyundai Sonata 2.0 4 Auto (A6) 22 34 26 FWD G
KIA Optima 2.0 4 Auto (A6) 22 34 26 FWD G
Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 1.8 4 Auto (A7) 23 33 26 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 1.8 4 Manual (M6) 22 32 26 RWD P – required
Mini Mini Cooper S Countryman All4 1.6 4 Auto (S6) 23 30 26 AWD P
Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 22 33 26 FWD P
Audi A4 2.0 4 Auto (AV) 22 30 25 FWD P
Audi A4 Quattro 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 21 31 25 AWD P
Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 4 Auto (AV) 22 30 25 FWD P
Audi A5 Quattro 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 21 31 25 AWD P
BMW 535i 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 21 31 25 RWD P
BMW 640i Convertible 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 21 31 25 RWD P
Mercedes-Benz C 250 1.8 4 Auto (A7) 21 31 25 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz C 250 (Coupe) 1.8 4 Auto (A7) 21 31 25 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz E 350 BlueTEC 3.0 6 Auto (A7) 21 32 25 RWD D
Mercedes-Benz S 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 3.0 6 Auto (A7) 21 31 25 4WD D
Saab 9-3 Convertible 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 20 33 25 FWD G
Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 20 33 25 FWD G
Saab 9-3 Sportcombi 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 20 33 25 FWD G
Saab 9-5 Sedan 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 20 33 25 FWD G
Volkswagen Beetle 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 22 30 25 FWD P
Volkswagen CC 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 22 31 25 FWD P
Volkswagen EOS 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 22 30 25 FWD P
Volkswagen GTI 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 21 31 25 FWD P
Audi A3 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 22 28 24 FWD P
Audi A3 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 21 30 24 FWD P
Audi A3 Quattro 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 21 28 24 AWD P
Audi A4 Avant Quattro 2.0 4 Auto (S8) 21 29 24 AWD P
Audi A4 Quattro 2.0 4 Auto (S8) 21 29 24 AWD P
Audi A5 Cabriolet Quattro 2.0 4 Auto (S8) 21 29 24 AWD P
Audi A5 Quattro 2.0 4 Auto (S8) 21 29 24 AWD P
BMW 535i xDrive 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 21 30 24 AWD P
Buick Regal 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 20 32 24 FWD G
Ford Edge FWD 2.0 4 Auto (A6) 21 30 24 FWD G
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 21 30 24 RWD P
Saab 9-3 Sedan AWD 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 20 30 24 AWD G
Saab 9-3X SportCOMBI AWD 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 20 30 24 AWD G
Volkswagen Beetle 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 21 30 24 FWD P
Volkswagen CC 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 21 31 24 FWD P
Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 22 27 24 FWD P
Volvo C30 FWD 2.5 5 Auto (S5) 21 30 24 FWD G
Volvo C30 FWD 2.5 5 Manual (M6) 21 29 24 FWD G
BMW 135i 3.0 6 Manual (M6) 20 28 23 RWD P
BMW 335i 3.0 6 Manual (M6) 20 30 23 RWD P
BMW 535i 3.0 6 Manual (M6) 20 30 23 RWD P
Ford Explorer FWD 2.0 4 Auto (A6) 20 28 23 FWD G
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0 4 Auto (A5) 20 30 23 RWD P
Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 19 29 23 FWD G
Volkswagen Tiguan 4MOTION 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 21 27 23 AWD P
Volvo S60 FWD 2.5 5 Auto (S6) 20 30 23 FWD G
Audi Q5 2.0 4 Auto (S8) 20 27 22 AWD P
Audi Q5 2.0 4 Auto (S8) 20 27 22 AWD P
BMW 135i Convertible 3.0 6 Manual (M6) 19 28 22 RWD P
BMW 335Ci Convertible 3.0 6 Auto (S6) 18 28 22 RWD P
BMW 335Ci Convertible 3.0 6 Manual (M6) 19 28 22 RWD P
BMW 335i Coupe 3.0 6 Auto (S6) 18 28 22 RWD P
BMW 335i Coupe 3.0 6 Manual (M6) 19 28 22 RWD P
BMW 335i Coupe xDrive 3.0 6 Manual (M6) 19 27 22 AWD P
BMW 535i Gran Turismo 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 19 28 22 RWD P
BMW X5 xDrive35d 3.0 6 Auto (S6) 19 26 22 AWD D
Buick Regal 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 18 29 22 FWD G
Buick Regal 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 19 27 22 FWD G
Buick Regal 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 19 27 22 FWD G
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 18 28 22 4WD P – required
Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 3.0 6 Auto (A7) 20 27 22 4WD D
Saab 9-3 Convertible 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 18 28 22 FWD G
Saab 9-3 Sedan AWD 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 18 29 22 AWD G
Saab 9-3 Sportcombi 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 18 28 22 FWD G
Saab 9-3X Sportcombi AWD 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 18 29 22 AWD G
Saab 9-5 Sedan 2.0 4 Auto (S6) 18 28 22 FWD G
Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 19 27 22 AWD P
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 19 28 22 AWD D
Acura RDX 2WD 2.3 4 Auto (S5) 19 24 21 FWD P
BMW 135i 3.0 6 Auto (S7) 18 25 21 RWD P
BMW 335i Coupe xDrive 3.0 6 Auto (S6) 18 27 21 AWD P
BMW 335is Convertible 3.0 6 Manual (M6) 18 26 21 RWD P
BMW 335is Coupe 3.0 6 Manual (M6) 18 26 21 RWD P
BMW 535i xDrive Gran Turismo 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 18 27 21 AWD P
BMW X3 xDrive35i 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 19 26 21 AWD P
BMW Z4 sDrive35i 3.0 6 Manual (M6) 19 26 21 RWD P
MAZDA MAZDASPEED3 2.3 4 Manual (M6) 18 25 21 FWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz E 550 (Coupe) 4.7 8 Auto (A7) 17 27 21 RWD P – required
Subaru Forester AWD 2.5 4 Auto (S4) 19 24 21 AWD P
Subaru Impreza AWD 2.5 4 Manual (M5) 19 25 21 AWD P
Subaru Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD 2.5 4 Manual (M5) 19 25 21 AWD P
Subaru Legacy AWD 2.5 4 Manual (M6) 18 25 21 AWD P
Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 4 Manual (M6) 18 26 21 FWD P
Volvo C70 FWD 2.5 5 Auto (S5) 18 28 21 FWD G
Volvo S60 AWD 3.0 6 Auto (S6) 18 26 21 AWD G
Volvo S80 AWD 3.0 6 Auto (S6) 18 26 21 AWD G
Audi Q7 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 17 25 20 AWD D
Audi TTRS Coupe 2.5 5 Manual (M6) 18 25 20 AWD P
BMW 135i Convertible 3.0 6 Auto (S7) 18 25 20 RWD P
BMW 740i 3.0 6 Auto (S6) 17 25 20 RWD P
BMW 740Li 3.0 6 Auto (S6) 17 25 20 RWD P
BMW ActiveHybrid 7 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 17 24 20 RWD P
BMW ActiveHybrid 7L 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 17 24 20 RWD P
Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 6 Auto (S6) 17 25 20 AWD G
Lincoln MKS AWD 3.5 6 Auto (S6) 17 25 20 AWD G
MAZDA CX-7 2WD 2.3 4 Auto (S6) 18 24 20 FWD P
Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 4.7 8 Auto (A7) 17 25 20 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz E 550 4MATIC 4.7 8 Auto (A7) 16 26 20 4WD P – required
Mercedes-Benz R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 3.0 6 Auto (A7) 18 23 20 4WD D
Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 4 Auto (AM6) 18 25 20 AWD P – required
Saab 9-5 Sedan AWD 2.8 6 Auto (S6) 17 27 20 AWD G
Volvo XC60 AWD 3.0 6 Auto (S6) 17 23 20 AWD G
Volvo XC70 AWD 3.0 6 Auto (S6) 17 23 20 AWD G
Acura RDX 4WD 2.3 4 Auto (S5) 17 22 19 AWD P
BMW 335is Convertible 3.0 6 Auto (S7) 17 24 19 RWD P
BMW 335is Coupe 3.0 6 Auto (S7) 17 24 19 RWD P
BMW X5 xDrive35i 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 16 23 19 AWD P
BMW X6 xDrive35i 3.0 6 Auto (S8) 16 23 19 AWD P
BMW Z4 sDrive35i 3.0 6 Auto (S7) 17 24 19 RWD P
BMW Z4 sDrive35is 3.0 6 Auto (S7) 17 24 19 RWD P
MAZDA CX-7 4WD 2.3 4 Auto (S6) 17 21 19 4WD P
Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 4MATIC 4.7 8 Auto (A7) 16 25 19 4WD P – required
Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG 5.5 8 Auto (A7) 16 25 19 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz E 550 (Convertible) 4.7 8 Auto (A7) 16 25 19 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG 5.5 8 Auto (A7) 16 24 19 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC 3.0 6 Auto (A7) 17 21 19 4WD D
Mercedes-Benz S 550 4.7 8 Auto (A7) 15 25 19 RWD P – required
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 2.0 4 Auto (AM6) 17 22 19 AWD P – required
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 2.0 4 Manual (M5) 17 23 19 AWD P – required
Nissan GT-R 3.8 6 Auto (AM6) 16 23 19 AWD P – required
Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet 3.8 6 Auto (A7) 16 24 19 RWD P
Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet 3.8 6 Manual (M6) 16 24 19 RWD P
Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe 3.8 6 Auto (A7) 17 25 19 RWD P
Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe 3.8 6 Manual (M6) 16 24 19 RWD P
Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet 3.8 6 Auto (A7) 16 24 19 RWD P
Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe 3.8 6 Auto (A7) 17 25 19 RWD P
Subaru Impreza AWD 2.5 4 Manual (M6) 17 23 19 AWD P
Subaru Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD 2.5 4 Manual (M6) 17 23 19 AWD P
BMW 550i 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 15 23 18 RWD P
BMW 550i Gran Turismo 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 15 22 18 RWD P
BMW 650i Convertible 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 15 23 18 RWD P
BMW 650i Coupe 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 15 23 18 RWD P
Ford F150 Pickup 2WD 3.5 6 Auto (A6) 16 22 18 RWD G
Ford F150 Pickup 2WD 3.5 6 Auto (S6) 16 22 18 RWD G
Ford FLEX AWD 3.5 6 Auto (S6) 16 22 18 AWD G
Lincoln MKT AWD 3.5 6 Auto (S6) 16 22 18 AWD G
Mercedes-Benz CL 550 4MATIC 4.7 8 Auto (A7) 15 24 18 4WD P – required
Mercedes-Benz CL 63 AMG 5.5 8 Auto (A7) 15 22 18 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG (station wagon) 5.5 8 Auto (A7) 15 23 18 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz S 550 4MATIC 4.7 8 Auto (A7) 15 24 18 4WD P – required
Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG 5.5 8 Auto (A7) 15 23 18 RWD P – required
Porsche Panamera Turbo 4.8 8 Auto (A7) 15 23 18 AWD P
Porsche Panamera Turbo S 4.8 8 Auto (A7) 15 23 18 AWD P
Saab 9-4X AWD 2.8 6 Auto (S6) 15 22 18 AWD G
BMW 550i 4.4 8 Manual (M6) 15 22 17 RWD P
BMW 550i xDrive 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 15 20 17 AWD P
BMW 550i xDrive Gran Turismo 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 15 19 17 AWD P
BMW 650i Convertible 4.4 8 Manual (M6) 15 22 17 RWD P
BMW 650i Coupe 4.4 8 Manual (M6) 15 22 17 RWD P
BMW 650i Coupe xDrive 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 15 20 17 AWD P
BMW 750i 4.4 8 Auto (S6) 15 22 17 RWD P
BMW 750Li 4.4 8 Auto (S6) 14 22 17 RWD P
BMW Alpina B7 LWB 4.4 8 Auto (S6) 14 22 17 RWD P
BMW Alpina B7 SWB 4.4 8 Auto (S6) 14 22 17 RWD P
Ford F150 Pickup 4WD 3.5 6 Auto (A6) 15 21 17 4WD G
Ford F150 Pickup 4WD 3.5 6 Auto (S6) 15 21 17 4WD G
Mercedes-Benz ML 550 4MATIC 4.7 8 Auto (A7) 15 20 17 4WD P – required
Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4.8 8 Auto (A8) 15 22 17 AWD P
BMW 750i xDrive 4.4 8 Auto (S6) 14 20 16 AWD P
BMW 750Li xDrive 4.4 8 Auto (S6) 14 20 16 AWD P
BMW Alpina B7 LWB xDrive 4.4 8 Auto (S6) 14 20 16 AWD P
BMW Alpina B7 SWB xDrive 4.4 8 Auto (S6) 14 20 16 AWD P
BMW X5 xDrive50i 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 14 20 16 AWD P
BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 8 Auto (S8) 14 20 16 AWD P
BMW 760Li 6.0 12 Auto (S8) 13 19 15 RWD P
Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG 5.5 8 Auto (A7) 14 18 15 4WD P – required
Rolls-Royce Ghost 6.6 12 Auto (S8) 13 20 15 RWD P
Rolls-Royce Ghost EWB 6.6 12 Auto (S8) 13 20 15 RWD P
Bentley Motors Ltd. Continental Flying Spur 6.0 12 Auto (S6) 11 19 14 AWD P
Bentley Motors Ltd. Continental GT 6.0 12 Auto (S6) 12 19 14 AWD P
Bentley Motors Ltd. Continental GTC 6.0 12 Auto (S6) 11 19 14 AWD P
Bentley Motors Ltd. Continental SuperSports 6.0 12 Auto (S6) 12 19 14 AWD P
Bentley Motors Ltd. Continental SuperSports Convt 6.0 12 Auto (S6) 12 19 14 AWD P
BMW X5 xDriveM 4.4 8 Auto (S6) 12 17 14 AWD P
BMW X6 xDriveM 4.4 8 Auto (S6) 12 17 14 AWD P
Mercedes-Benz CL 600 5.5 12 Auto (A5) 12 18 14 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG 6.0 12 Auto (A5) 12 18 14 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz S 600 5.5 12 Auto (A5) 12 19 14 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG 6.0 12 Auto (A5) 12 19 14 RWD P – required
Bentley Motors Ltd. Mulsanne 6.8 8 Auto (S8) 11 18 13 RWD P
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 57 5.5 12 Auto (A5) 10 16 12 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 57 S 5.5 12 Auto (A5) 10 16 12 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 62 5.5 12 Auto (A5) 10 16 12 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 62 S 5.5 12 Auto (A5) 10 16 12 RWD P – required
Mercedes-Benz Maybach Landaulet 5.5 12 Auto (A5) 10 16 12 RWD P – required
Bugatti Veyron 8.0 16 Auto (S7) 8 15 10 AWD P – required

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