Cars.com 2026 American-Made Index: Tesla Leads for Sixth Straight Year

Car-shopping marketplace Cars.com unveiled the vehicles on its 21st annual American-Made Index (AMI). More than a year after the announcement of tariffs, and ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s AMI list boasts 86 vehicles that made the cut, company officials stated in a press release.

As in previous years, Cars.com experts independently evaluated over 350 vehicles that contribute the most to the U.S. economy through manufacturing, parts sourcing and employment to generate the 2026 AMI list. Some vehicles maintained the status quo while others made their moves, securing higher rankings on this year’s list. Notably, this year’s top 10 have tied the highest average domestic parts content percentage since the AMI methodology changed to its current form in 2020, noted the release.

For the sixth year in a row, Tesla claims the most American-made vehicle, with the Model 3 followed by the Model Y for a second consecutive year. Stellantis snags spots three and four with the Jeep Gladiator and Grand Cherokee while Honda sweeps half of the top 10 with the Ridgeline, Odyssey, Accord, Passport and Acura MDX. The automaker with the most vehicles on this year’s list, Toyota, also boasts a top 10 placement with the Lexus TX.

“This year’s list represents the ongoing evolution and diversification of American-made vehicles,” said Patrick Masterson, lead researcher for Cars.com’s American-Made Index. “Notably, nearly two-thirds of this year’s list was produced by foreign automakers, about the same as in 2025, while the Detroit Three holds approximately one-third of the vehicles. Seeing so many foreign automakers on the list often surprises consumers, but this goes to show just how complex modern automotive manufacturing really is.”

Top 20 Most American-Made Vehicles for 2026

The top 20 vehicles are included below, and the complete list is available at Cars.com/american-made-index.

Cars.com 2026 American-Made Index Top 20 Vehicles:

1. Tesla Model 3
2. Tesla Model Y
3. Jeep Gladiator
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee L
5. Honda Ridgeline
6. Honda Odyssey
7. Lexus TX
8. Honda Accord
9. Acura MDX
10. Honda Passport
11. Toyota Camry
12. Lincoln Navigator, Navigator L
13. Ford Expedition, Expedition Max
14. Lincoln Aviator
15. Ford Explorer
16. Acura RDX
17. Kia EV9
18. Acura Integra
19. Toyota Tundra
20. Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Tariffs are shining a brighter spotlight on American-made vehicles, as it’s been over a year since the original 2025 tariff mandates took effect. For car shoppers, tariffs enacted in 2025 have had ongoing impacts. They’re finding fewer vehicles in automakers’ lineups and increased prices for some vehicles. The 2026 American-Made Index was also impacted by tariffs as automakers adjusted their vehicle offerings for the 2026 model year, leading to fewer cars on this year’s index — 86 in 2026, down from 99 in 2025, according to the report.

Electric Vehicles on the AMI

The share of electrified vehicles on the AMI has declined slightly, from 30% to 24%, including electric vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids. That decline is most evident in the number of EVs on the list dropping by almost half, from 11 to five, which leads back to the sunsetting of the federal EV tax credit in the fall of 2025. Notably, the number of hybrids dropped by only one, and, percentagewise, its share actually rose. This trend reflects the overall recalibration of automakers’ electrified strategies, which is playing out right here in the states across many vehicles, officials said.

Cars.com Methodology

Cars.com’s American-Made Index ranks cars based on five factors: assembly location, parts sourcing as determined by the American Automobile Labeling Act, U.S. factory employment relative to vehicle production, engine sourcing, and transmission sourcing. For more information on the 2026 Cars.com American-Made Index, including a deeper dive into the data and methodology, visit Cars.com/AMI.

The July 2026 issue of THE SHOP magazine highlighted automotive aftermarket products that manufacturers market as “Made in the USA.”