How Much Turbo (T) is Equivalent to a 2.4 Naturally Aspirated Engine?
3 Answers
2.4 naturally aspirated is equivalent to 1.8T turbo. Below are some related expansion materials: 1. Turbo: It is a fan in the engine of a car or aircraft, which uses exhaust gases to blow fuel vapor into the engine to improve engine performance. The turbo can convert the energy of the working fluid into mechanical work. It is one of the main components of aircraft engines, gas turbines, and steam turbines. 2. Naturally Aspirated: One of the characteristics of a pump. When the pump starts, it can automatically extract the gas in the suction pipeline and fill it with the liquid to be delivered, that is, no manual priming is required before starting. This can avoid potential harm to personnel and damage to equipment when conveying highly corrosive materials due to manual priming.
Having driven for over a decade, I've experienced many 2.4L naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines. To say how much turbo a 2.4L naturally aspirated engine is equivalent to depends on specific engine tuning. Generally, a 2.4L naturally aspirated engine's output power can be comparable to a 1.6T to 2.0T turbocharged engine, because turbocharging allows a smaller displacement engine to unleash greater horsepower. For example, the Honda Accord 2.4L naturally aspirated I've tested delivers power equivalent to Volkswagen's 1.8T turbocharged car, but the naturally aspirated feels smoother and more linear, while the turbo offers quicker starts and more aggressive response. The key lies in the power figures—for instance, a 150-180 horsepower 2.4L naturally aspirated roughly corresponds to a 135-160 horsepower 1.6T or 160-200 horsepower 2.0T. But in reality, torque curves also matter, as turbos deliver more punch at low RPMs. This difference affects driving style: choose naturally aspirated for smoothness, or go turbo for that push-back-in-the-seat sensation. Ultimately, don't just look at displacement—compare model specifications to determine the true equivalent.
As an average car owner, I think the equivalence between 2.4L naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines is more about subjective perception. My old car was a Toyota 2.4L naturally aspirated model, which had smooth acceleration but lacked explosive power. Later, I switched to a 1.5T Ford, and the power delivery felt similar or even more aggressive, especially during highway overtaking. Generally speaking, a 2.4L naturally aspirated engine performs roughly on par with a 1.6T or 1.8T small-displacement turbo, as turbocharging technology can squeeze more horsepower from a smaller package, albeit at the cost of slightly higher fuel consumption and more complex maintenance. From a practical driving perspective, naturally aspirated engines are more fuel-efficient and comfortable in city driving, while turbos have an edge on mountain roads or uphill climbs. I recommend test-driving different cars for comparison—don’t get too hung up on displacement numbers, as equivalence depends on personal needs and engine design.
