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Naturally aspirated engines might be perfect in the eyes of many, but these cars are begging for a turbo.

Naturally aspirated engines have a special place in many hearts worldwide. Though many vehicles have the perfect combination of naturally aspirated engines and proper weight to unlock the most power, there are even more that are in desperate need of some upgrades under the hood: the answer - the turbocharger. These motors have smooth power distribution and one less part to replace. Even with the lag, the performance gains and blow-off noises are worth the upgrade.

In an attempt to meet the demand for power and keep prices low, companies have shifted from naturally aspirated to turbocharged engines. The change is effective for a couple of main reasons. One, turbos are an excellent way to gain horsepower without slurping unreal amounts of gas. And two, they're cheaper to produce. With that said, here are some great examples of cars that would be perfect for adding on a turbo!

Related: Why The Turbo 1989 Pontiac Trans Am Is Criminally Underrated

The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon share a lot of commonalities. One of these is the 2.4L inline-four that powers each. Though this engine has decent torque numbers with the base model capable of 191 lb-ft of torque, the top-end power fizzles out a bit.

Although the Colorado and Canyon come with limited power, that can be easily fixed. In fact, for less than a grand, an entire turbo kit is available to install. These kits promise to add upwards of 100 horsepower, meaning these trucks can quickly push past 300!

JDM cars are perfect modification platforms, and the naturally aspirated engine on the MX-5 Miata is just begging for some extra umpf. The average Miata sits at about 181 horsepower, depending on the model, of course. Mazda's two-seater is notoriously light, which pairs well with the 2.0 inline-four.

Though the MX-5 is light, many feel the engine needs a bit more, so what better way than to slap a turbo on it? Several options exist to get some extra air into the engine, and many examples can put out more than 400 horsepower!

Related: John Force Accidentally Touched A Hot Turbocharger And Had The Perfect Response

The Nissan 350Z is already an amazingly fast car. The 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 engine can pump out 306 horsepower to the rear wheels. And like the MX-5 Miata, the 350Z is a zippy two-seater that doesn't have to move a ton of mass. Though the car produces well, some need more!

This fantastic JDM sports car is a perfect platform to add a turbo to. Don't get overwhelmed, but the 350Z has many, many twin turbo options for the truly crazy. These kits promise more than 400 horsepower before the engine needs some internal overhauling!

Slowly but surely, the Subaru Crosstrek amassed quite the following. The crossover handles well, sports symmetrical AWD, and sits high enough for some mild off-roading or snowy roads. Despite the utility, the Crosstrek has a quite underpowered engine that becomes apparent whenever one tries to climb to highway speeds.

Subaru has steadily upgraded the engine from a modest 2.0L boxer-four pushing 148 horsepower to the upgraded 2.5L boxer that pushes 182. Despite the upgrade, a turbo really unleashes more from the boxer engine. Some capital will be needed to make the upgrade happen, but adding a turbo kit easily pushes horsepower over 200!

Related: 23 Turbocharger Problems Most People Can't Even Begin To Understand

Continuing with Subaru, kind of, is the BRZ and Toyota GR86. These RWD sports cars utilize a naturally-aspirated inline-four that produces a modest 228 horsepower. Though the BRZ/GR86 are smaller coupes like the Civic Si, they famously lack the turbo the Si has.

Like any other good JDM sports car, the BRZ/GR86 needs a turbo. If you didn't think these sporty cars were fun before, you will after a turbo is installed! With a decent kit priced around a grand, the BRZ/GR86 will have you hauling with upwards of 90 additional horsepower.

While speed doesn't come to mind when thinking of Jeep, the Compass is crossover enough to merit some extra power. Sitting under the hood is a 2.4L four-cylinder engine that is capable of 177 horsepower. The Compass also doesn't fare off-road too well, so drivers look for upgrades to make that happen.

Jeeps are a great modification platform, and that extends to the Compass, with many aftermarket parts available. Some Compass models do come with a turbo, namely the 1.3L variant; however, a turbo on the 2.4L can add upwards of 40 horsepower, pushing it over the 200 mark.

Related: 5 Worst Cheap Cars To Feature A Turbocharger (5 That Are Amazing)

No turbo list would be complete without the Civic. Recently, Honda began supplying the Civic with turbos from the factory, with the Si and the Type-R being the most popular varieties. Taking a step back in time, and a break on the wallet, the 7th gen Civic is one of the last "cool-looking" models from the 2000s, and their naturally aspirated engines are begging for turbos.

The aftermarket selection for the Civic is humongous; every option under the sun exists to make yours truly special. That selection includes turbos and turbo kits. With a max horsepower rating of only 138, slapping a turbo can double the output! Just remember to upgrade the engine components, as that much power might blow everything.

A turbo might not be what one thinks of when imagining the Ford Mustang GT. However, a turbo can do wonders. The Mustang Foxbody sports a small-block V8 capable of 225 horsepower, though many other models feature smaller engines still, and those are the ones that desperately need an upgrade.

For less than $2,000, a turbo kit supplies a Foxbody Mustang GT with much-needed gains. Although the Mustang GT does well, it can always do better, and many cars from the 90s and 2000s are fitted with engines that are begging for a turbo treatment.

Michael Stroup is a seasoned automotive author with experience in SUVs, Trucks, and JDM sports cars. He credits his passion to gearhead friends and active involvement with car-related ghostwriting assignments. You can find Michael in the mountains, where he dedicates time to snowboarding, hiking, or off-roading!