From the Ford Model T that started it all to Tesla’s most recent Model S, these are the top American-made cars of all time—plus our top picks for 2022–2023.
The phrase “American-made” can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. When it comes to cars, it often refers to The Big Three “most American” manufacturers: Ford
, General Motors
, and Stellantis (formerly Daimler Chrysler). For others, it simply means made in America, which adds some Hondas
, Subarus
, Nissans
, and BMWs
to the American-made index. We’re taking the more inclusive view with our rankings of best American cars by gathering our top picks for vehicles built in the good-’ole U.S. of A. Whether you’re looking for a brand new Lincoln or longing after a classic Willys Jeep, Jerry
, the trusted broker app
built to save drivers money on car insurance
, has gathered the specs for the 5 best cars made in America of all time—and the 5 best for this year. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
5 best American-made cars of all time
These are the G.O.A.T.s. Whether their influence was technological or popular, these are five of the automobiles that have changed our country—and our world.
1908–1927 Ford Model T
Price: Restored Model Ts have sold for as much as $110,000
You can’t very well have a list of the best American-made cars of all time without including the one that started it all—the Ford Model T. The Model T certainly wasn’t the first car, but it was America’s first reliable, easy-to-maintain, mass-market vehicle. It was the car that changed the way Americans lived, worked, and played.
Though design revisions did occur throughout the Model T’s two decades of production, even the final “high hood” design of the 1926–27 model is unmistakably Model T.
Pros: You’ll never wonder where you parked your car—just look for the crowd
Cons: Very hard to find and expensive to maintain
1941–1945 Willys MB
Price: Average sale price around $30,000
Whether you call it the Willys MB, the Ford GPW, or the Willys Jeep, this is more than just the seminal SUV—it’s the car that helped win World War II. That go-anywhere off-road capability that helped the Allied Powers win the war is what continues to make Jeeps the go-to ute of the outdoorsy set today.
Pros: Practically indestructible
Cons: Tendency to roll if you corner too quickly
1953–present Chevrolet Corvette
Price: $65,895 current starting MSRP
America’s premier sports car is built in the rolling hills of Bowling Green, Kentucky
. In over 70 years of production, the Chevy Corvette
has seen its ups and downs—but when it’s been good, it’s been great. Today’s mid-engine C8 Vette offers exotic sports car performance without the exotic price tag.
Pros: Instant status of an automatic icon, comfortable enough for daily driving
Cons: No manual transmission option, some cheap interior plastics, lacks driver safety assists
1964–present Ford Mustang
Price: $28,845 starting MSRP
America’s best-selling sports car for the last 50 years, the Ford Mustang is currently being built in Flat Rock, Michigan
. Engineered for a generation of baby boomers, the Mustang created a new automotive genre: the pony car. The current Mustang is in its sixth generation with plans for a brief hiatus before returning for 2024 in all-new attire. And bonus—as far as sports cars go, Mustang insurance costs
tend to be pretty reasonable. Pros: Smart handling and engaging drive, virtually countless option and appearance packages
Cons: Base four-cylinder is a bore, some cheap cabin materials
2012–present Tesla Model S
Price: $106,440 starting MSRP
Not only is the Tesla Model S one of the quickest production vehicles on the road, but it also single-handedly moved the conversation about electric cars from the periphery into the mainstream seemingly overnight. Currently built in Fremont, California, Tesla’s flagship electric vehicle will soon shift production to their Austin, Texas plant.
Since its inception, Tesla has given us new variants, like the crossover Model X
, the comparably-affordable Model 3
, and the Tesla Model Y
, but the automotive world currently awaits the new Cybertruck. Tesla’s innovations, once viewed as frivolous, now fuel competition in the fastest-growing vehicle segment in the world—electric cars. Pros: Neck-snapping acceleration, great driving range, seemingly resistant to depreciation
5 best American-made cars for 2022–2023
Choosing the five best American-made vehicles of all time was not an easy task, and we’re certain plenty of you will disagree with our rankings. If anything, picking the top five for this model year was even tougher. A few honorable mentions before we begin: The Lincoln Corsair
, Ford Explorer
, and Jeep Cherokee
—all worthy competitors just barely edged out by the competition. Without further ado, here are our top picks for cars made in America in the 2022 and 2023 model years (not including the aforementioned G.O.A.T.s, of course).
2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing—best luxury car
Car and Driver rating: 10/10
Sitting behind the wheel of a Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
, you may start to wonder if cars can actually read minds. Instantaneously-responsive steering and track-worthy driving manners are hallmarks of this near-faultless American-made luxury sedan. The CT4-V’s 472-horsepower twin-turbo V6 delivers enough power to launch to 60 mph in 4 seconds flat, and the well-balanced, comfortable ride makes it ideal even for the most mundane of everyday tasks.
Pros: Comfortable enough for daily driving, nimble and responsive handling
Cons: Interior belies its GMC roots
2022 Honda Accord and Accord Hybrid—best all-around family sedan
Car and Driver rating: 10/10
Honda may be a Japanese automaker, but the humble Accord
and Accord Hybrid are built right here in the U.S.—in Marysville, Ohio
to be exact. The Honda Accord may just be the perfect all-around midsize sedan. It’s well-built with a spacious and nicely-equipped cabin, offers plenty of room for cargo, and has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ for nearly a decade running. If you’re concerned about upkeep costs, note that Honda Accord Hybrid insurance costs
will likely run a bit higher than those of its gas-powered sibling. Pros: Eager powertrain, abundant safety features standard, user-friendly infotainment system
Cons: Above-average road noise in base models, below-average interior storage options
2022 Chevrolet Camaro—best sports car
Car and Driver rating: 8/10
Throaty V6 and V8 engines, coupe, and convertible options, and the availability of a manual transmission are just a few of the things that bring the 2022 Chevy Camaro to our list of the 5 best American-made cars for 2022–2023. Long placed in competition with the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger,
2022’s optional 1LE package paired with the hearty 455-horsepower V8 bring the Camaro to the front of the pack for this year. Pros: Sonorous V6 and V8 powertrain options, 1LE track package is a must-add, surprisingly low Camaro insurance costs
Cons: Lots of blind spots, sardine-can back seat
2022 Buick Encore—best crossover/SUV
Car and Driver rating: 6.5/10
The search for the perfect SUV will never end, but when it comes to a balance of affordability, utility, practicality, and American-made quality, the Buick Encore
earns our pick for this year. The Encore’s small size makes it ideal for getting around—even in crowded cities—but the surprisingly spacious interior means it’s still a great option for families. Pros: Spacious cabin, comfortable ride, easy-to-use infotainment system
Cons: Could be more fuel efficient, sluggish powertrain, no standard driver assists
2023 Ford F-150—best pickup
Car and Driver rating: 9/10
Ford’s best-selling vehicle and America’s favorite pickup truck is our pick for best American-made truck of the year. Whether you need a stripped-down workhorse, an off-road master, or an eco-conscious EV, the F-150 lineup has a model for you.
Cons: Spartan base models, non-hybrids lack fuel efficiency
How to find cheap car insurance for your American-made car
Whether you’re restoring a classic Ford Model T or zipping around town in a Tesla, you need to ensure your American-made car is protected with solid car insurance. No matter what you drive, when you shop for coverage with Jerry
, you’ll always find the best policy at the best price! Jerry’s free app is simple and quick to use. Just answer a few questions and in about a minute, you’ll see the best options for you based on a comparison of quotes from over 55 top providers. Just tap your top pick and Jerry will take it from there—setting you up with your new policy and helping you cancel your old one.
And we haven’t mentioned the best part—the average Jerry customer saves over $800 a year on car insurance
! “My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car. Jerry
helped me go from paying $308 a month to $125 a month with the same coverage. I’m loving the savings.” —Jocelyn A.
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