© Ford Motor Company
Most American-Made Vehicles
Today’s “American” car is not what it used to be. Years ago, the only vehicle considered an American car was one designed and manufactured in the United States by a U.S.-based company that employed workers primarily in the USA. Now that the auto industry has become a global enterprise with manufacturing and parts sourcing from all over the world, traditional American-brand vehicles are often built outside U.S. borders, while many European and Asian-based car companies build vehicles here in America. So, which is the most “American” car? Today digital automotive marketplace Cars.com releases its 2020 American-Made Index to address that question.
© American Honda Motors
The Study
The annual Cars.com AMI study ranks vehicles based on five factors: assembly location, parts sourcing, engine sourcing, transmission sourcing and U.S. factory employment relative to vehicle production — ultimately measuring the impact a vehicle has on the American marketplace. Of the estimated 350 new car models on sale in the USA, 91 of those qualified to be ranked with some level of American economic impact. These represent 13 automakers building vehicles in 14 states. “The auto industry is highly globalized, but these 91 models bring jobs to America and investments to our local communities — a growing concern for Americans in the current climate,” said Kelsey Mays, Cars.com’s senior consumer affairs and vehicle evaluations editor. Note that study results are proprietary to Cars.com, so no detailed vehicle scores have been made available. Take a look at the 20 highest-ranked vehicles in the Cars.com study — considered the most American-made vehicles available in 2020.
© Ford Motor Company
20. Ford Expedition
Assembly Location: Louisville, Kentucky
The largest SUV in the Ford lineup, the Expedition received a complete redesign a few years ago. Boasting a new high-strength, aluminum-alloy body and a redesigned high-strength steel frame, the Expedition is equipped with a powerful turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with standard auto stop-start, teamed with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Expedition excels on- or off-road thanks to an available electronic limited-slip differential when equipped with Intelligent AWD. Expedition has many standard features including wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, power outlets in every row, and a Panoramic Vista Roof.
19. Cadillac XT4
Assembly Location: Kansas City, Kansas
The smallest crossover in the Cadillac lineup, the XT4 is the luxury carmaker’s first entry in the crowded premium compact crossover segment. The XT4 is easily recognizable as a Cadillac with its signature vertical headlight treatment and familiar grille, as well as tall taillights at the rear. Even the base-level Luxury trim is well equipped with standard features that include leatherette trim, power front seats, dual-zone climate control, an HD rearview camera, two USB ports (one type A, one type C), an 8-inch display screen and an AM/FM stereo with seven speakers as well Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The XT4 comes with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is available on all trim levels.
© General Motors
18. Cadillac CT5
Assembly Location: Lansing, Michigan
Cadillac introduced the brand-new CT5 compact sedan for the 2020 model year, offered in both Luxury and Sport versions. Built on Cadillac’s rear-wheel-drive architecture, the CT5 features a fastback profile inspired by the Escala concept car; it moves away from Cadillac’s hard-edged designs with a more fluid and sculpted design language. The 2020 CT5 is offered in three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport, with a Platinum Package available for Premium Luxury and Sport. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo engine that produces an estimated 237 horsepower, while the Luxury Premium and the Sport can be equipped with a more powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces an estimated 335 horsepower. Cadillac’s Super Cruise technology — hands-free driver assistance for highway driving — is also available on select CT5 trim levels.
© American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
17. Acura MDX
Assembly Location: East Liberty, Ohio
One of Acura’s best-selling models — outselling the brand’s passenger cars combined — the MDX received a refresh for the 2017 model year when it introduced the current Acura style, headlined by a stylish Diamond Pentagon grille. The MDX is available in a range of trim levels and can be equipped with Acura’s advanced torque-vectoring Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The MDX is also available as the Sport Hybrid, featuring a 3.0-liter V6 engine teamed with one electric motor on the front axle and two electric motors on the rear axle for a total output of 321 horsepower.
© Toyota Motor Sales, USA
16. Toyota Tundra
Assembly Location: San Antonio, Texas
Although the Tundra doesn’t come close in sales to American-brand pickup offerings, this full-size truck still brings plenty to the party. Toyota offers nearly 50 different configurations for the full-size pickup, with multiple cabs, bed lengths, powertrains and trim levels. With trims ranging from the basic SR to the luxurious Platinum, Tundra offers impressive capability and Toyota’s reputation for reliability in a very tough truck market. Toyota also offers a TRD Sport version of the Tundra, which features sport-tuned Bilstein shocks and TRD front and rear anti-sway bars, as well as a mesh grille, LED headlights, LED fog lights and a color-keyed hood scoop.
© American Honda Motors
15. Honda Accord
Assembly Location: Marysville, Ohio
One of the best-selling midsize sedans in America, the Accord is available in a variety of trim levels with two or four doors. Accord can even be equipped with a manual transmission — a rarity in the midsize sedan segment. Completely redesigned for the 2018 model year, Accord is built on a lighter, more rigid body structure designed to improve handling and comfort. Honda offers this popular sedan with a number of powertrain options that include two new turbocharged engines and a new generation of Honda’s 2-motor hybrid system.
© American Honda Motors
14. Acura RDX
Assembly Location: East Liberty, Ohio
Last year Honda’s luxury brand introduced an all-new RDX and it quickly became the best-selling member of the Acura lineup. The RDX features a prominent Acura Diamond Pentagon Grille flanked by Jewel Eye headlights that now include seven LED lighting elements, making them among the brightest on the road. Power for the Acura RDX comes from a new VTEC Turbo 2.0-liter direct-injection engine that produces 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, teamed with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system also received updates, delivering up to 70 percent of available torque to the rear axle while employing dynamic torque vectoring to sharpen performance and handling in all weather and road conditions.
© American Honda Motors
13. Honda Pilot
Assembly Location: Lincoln, Alabama
Honda gave its midsize SUV a refresh last year, providing the Pilot with more aggressive exterior styling, an available hands-free power tailgate, powertrain refinements, and an available new Display Audio touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Powering the Pilot is a 3.5-liter 280-horsepower V6 engine teamed with a 6-speed automatic transmission and an available all-wheel-drive system. The Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies is standard on all trim levels and includes a collision mitigation system with forward collision warning, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
© General Motors
12. Chevrolet Camaro
Assembly Location: Lansing, Michigan
After an eight-year hiatus, Camaro returned to market as a 2010 model with styling cues heavily influenced by the 1969 model of Chevrolet’s answer to Ford’s Mustang pony car. Refreshed last year, the Camaro received a revised front-end design with a new grille, hood, dual-element headlights, LED signature lights, front fascia, LED taillights and rear fascia. The Camaro is offered in multiple trim levels and all are available as either a coupe or a convertible. In keeping with its muscle-car heritage, the current Camaro has a range of powerful engines — the current chart-topper is a supercharged 650-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 powerplant in the Camaro ZL1.
© General Motors
11. GMC Canyon
Assembly Location: Wentzville, Missouri
The twin sibling of the Chevrolet Colorado, the Canyon is GMC’s compact truck offering. Available in three configurations — extended cab, crew cab, or crew cab with a long bed —Canyon offers impressive capability including a tow rating of 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. The compact GMC pickup is available in a range of trim levels, highlighted by the ultra-luxurious Denali and the off-road-ready All-Terrain X.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
10. Chevrolet Colorado
Assembly Location: Wentzville, Missouri
The midsize Chevrolet Colorado debuted as a 2015 model offering an alternative to a full-size truck, possessing more heft and capability than a smaller compact. Built alongside the GMC Canyon, the Colorado is available in a range of powertrains including an optional 2.8-liter Duramax diesel that — in addition to delivering impressive fuel economy — lets the Colorado tow up to 7,700 pounds with 2-wheel drive. But Colorado is more than a work truck; it can be equipped with a large color touchscreen display, a rearview camera, heated front seats and 4G LTE connectivity with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Chevrolet also offers the Colorado ZR2 Bison that comes from the factory with the looks and capability to handle practically any terrain.
© Tesla
9. Tesla Model X
Assembly Location: Fremont, California
One of a few fully electric SUVs on the market, the Tesla Model X offers impressive performance and efficiency as well as distinctive styling. With no need for a grille, the Model X has sleek aerodynamic styling with full LED headlights and a windshield that smoothly flows into the roofline. Most noticeable are the rear Falcon Wing doors — the double-hinged doors require less room to articulate and provide a large opening for easy entry and exit. With a premium interior featuring three rows of seats as well as a front and rear trunk, Model X works well for the whole family. The Model X features two independently controlled electric motors for full-time all-wheel drive. Performance is quite astounding: using “Ludicrous” mode, the Model X Performance can sprint to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds — faster than most supercars.
© General Motors
8. Chevrolet Corvette
Assembly Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
After years of rumors about a mid-engine Corvette, Chevrolet introduced the eighth generation of this legendary sports car last year and it is indeed the first mid-engine Corvette in history. The mid-engine design of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray offers more performance, technology and luxury than any previous generation. The new car features better weight distribution with a rear weight bias to improve both straightline and on-track performance, as well as better responsiveness and sense of control with the driver positioned closer to the front axle. While there will likely be other power options in its future, the new C8 Corvette currently sports the all-new LT2 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. No manual transmission is offered — instead, the engine gets teamed with a quick-shifting dual-clutch 8-speed automatic gearbox.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
7. Honda Passport
Assembly Location: Lincoln, Alabama
Last year Honda introduced the all-new Passport, providing an option for shoppers looking for a larger SUV but with 5-passenger seating. Passport shares Honda’s Global Light Truck Platform with the larger Pilot, but Passport is not simply a 5-passenger version of the larger SUV. Passport rides on the same wheelbase, but it is 6 inches shorter, 1-inch taller and 1-inch wider than the Pilot, providing an overall sportier stance. With high ground clearance as well as aggressive approach and breakover angles, the Passport is designed to excel both on and off the pavement. Passport comes with front-wheel drive, and i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive is an available option.
© American Honda Motors
6. Honda Ridgeline
Assembly Location: Lincoln, Alabama
The Ridgeline is unique within the American truck market thanks to its unibody construction, but standing out from the crowd can be a good thing. Built alongside the Passport, Pilot and Odyssey, the Ridgeline offers several features that are as distinctive now as when the truck came to market 10 years ago, including a lockable in-bed storage trunk and dual-action tailgate — which is both left- and bottom-hinged. Ridgeline also can handle the obligatory 4X8 sheet of plywood laid flat. The Ridgeline gets refreshed for the 2020 model year with a range of updates including new safety features and a new 9-speed automatic transmission.
© American Honda Motors
5. Honda Odyssey
Assembly Location: Lincoln, Alabama
One of the most popular minivans on the market, the Odyssey ranks highest among Cars.com’s determination of American-made minivans. This innovative people mover features a “Magic Slide” second-row seat system that offers multiple seating configurations and third-row access options. The center second-row seat can be removed, or the outboard seats can be moved laterally between five positions for third-row access. Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine creating 280 horsepower. Advanced connectivity and entertainment features include CabinWatch, CabinTalk & streaming video with 4G LTE Wi-Fi.
© Tesla Motors
4. Tesla Model 3
Assembly Location: Fremont, California
The third model in American automaker Tesla’s lineup following the Model S and Model X, the Model 3 sedan is smaller and more affordable than the flagship Model S. With a bold level of standard equipment and sleek styling that complements the rest of the Tesla line, the more economical Model 3 was designed for high-volume sales. One of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in America, the standard-range Model 3 delivers 131 MPGe with a range of 220 miles between charges. Standard features include a 15-inch touchscreen display, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, LED exterior lighting, a backup camera and a suite of advanced safety technology with collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking.
© Tesla
3. Tesla Model S
Assembly Location: Fremont, California
A unique alt-fuel vehicle in the American marketplace, the Model S offers impressive performance and an extensive driving range in an attractive electric sedan. As the first mainstream production Tesla to come to market, the Model S stood alone for many years as the only battery-powered luxury performance sedan available in the USA. Now one of three models offered by the innovative American car company, the Model S is available in configurations focused on efficiency or performance, the latter of which has the capability of reaching 60 mph in a mere 2.4 seconds when set in “Ludicrous” mode.
© FCA US
2. Jeep Cherokee
Assembly Location: Belvidere, Illinois
The Cherokee received an update last year with a refreshed design for the first time since returning to the Jeep lineup as a 2014 model. Now with a revised, more vertical 7-slot grille; a new fascia; new headlights and a lightweight aluminum hood, the Cherokee comes with an all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter direct-injection engine producing 270 horsepower, teamed with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Like all Jeeps, this popular SUV delivers legendary off-road capability and available features including a lifted off-road suspension, skidplates, tow hooks, Selec-Terrain traction control, and Selec-Speed Crawl Control.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
1. Ford Ranger
Assembly Location: Wayne, Michigan
Following an eight-year hiatus, Ranger returned to the Ford lineup for the 2019 model year. The resurrected Ranger is available in three trims (XL, XLT, Lariat), two body styles (SuperCab, SuperCrew) and 2WD or 4WD. Only one engine is available: a 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder unit that produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Ford Ranger offers seating for up to five, a center stack with an 8-inch touchscreen for the available SYNC 3 system, and dual LCD screens in the instrument cluster to display vehicle, navigation and audio information. Even though Ford sells the Ranger pickup in other areas of the world, when the company brought the midsize model back to the U.S. it reengineered the new truck specifically for the North American market — which reflects its position at the top of the Cars.com American-Made Index.
