(Nexstar) – While finding a car that’s completely made in the U.S. is nearly impossible, the recent rankings from cars.com are set to change things a bit, especially for American-made vehicles by 2025.
For over a decade, this platform has been analyzing which cars are considered American-made. The heightened focus on this issue, particularly after President Trump’s tariffs on foreign vehicles, reflects a growing interest in the origins of “American” cars.
The CARS.COM assessment uses five criteria for scoring: the percentage of parts from the U.S. and Canada, the location of final assembly, the origin of the engine, the U.S. manufacturing workforce, and the source of the transmission.
“Being on this list holds significance, especially as the automotive industry becomes increasingly global, and consumers are looking to support local economies,” the report emphasized. “Regardless of where a vehicle ranks, inclusion on the list indicates some level of U.S. final assembly, contributing to the domestic economy.”
The Tesla Model 3 topped the rankings, with its production facilities in California and Texas. Conversely, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid landed at 99th place, a significant drop from its previous position at 65th in 2024.
According to Cars.com, the top 20 most American-made cars are:
- Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model Y
- Tesla Model S
- Tesla Model X
- Jeep Gladiator
- Kia EV6
- Honda Ridgeline
- Honda Odyssey
- Honda Passport
- Volkswagen ID.4
- Acura MDX
- Honda Pilot
- Jeep Wrangler
- Acura RDX
- Honda Accord
- Acura Integra
- Kia Sportage
- Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
- Chevrolet Colorado
- Nissan Pathfinder
The complete list can be found on the cars.com site.
Trump’s tariffs and vehicle prices
Even with President Trump’s 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and parts, the anticipated price spikes seem yet to manifest.
As per Kelley Blue Book (KBB), car buyers paid an average of $48,799 in May, but experts doubt that this will remain the trend.
KBB reporter Sean Tucker mentioned, “Price increases are coming, albeit slowly.”
Tucker explained that the announcement of tariffs generated a surge in car sales, as consumers rushed to purchase vehicles before prices rose. Consequently, discounts from major automakers have begun to decrease.
Experts suggest that if tariffs take full effect, it could still be a favorable time to invest in a new vehicle.
“Currently, there’s a disconnect between expectations for price changes and what’s actually occurring,” noted Ivan Drury, director of insights at edmunds.com. “However, I anticipate we’ll begin to see significant changes in the next two to three months.”
