A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing defining a bearing bore and a hybrid journal bearing system disposed within the bore. The hybrid journal bearing system includes first and second journal bearings. The first journal bearing is a semi-floating bearing and the second journal bearing is a full-floating bearing. The turbocharger also includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft is supported by the journal bearing system for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gases emitted by the engine. Additionally, the turbocharger includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine.