The Cars.com American-Made Index ranks new vehicles by how much of each one is built in the United States, and the 2026 edition arrived ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary. Electric sedans, trucks, three-row SUVs and a minivan all earned places near the top of the list. Here are ten of the highest-ranked vehicles on it.
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1. Tesla Model 3: Fremont Keeps the Lead
The Tesla Model 3 sits at No. 1 on the 2026 index, built in Fremont, California, and priced from $36,990. Cars.com data show that Tesla has claimed the top spot for the sixth year in a row, a streak that no traditional automaker matched on this list.
For buyers who want to support domestic assembly, the Model 3 is the benchmark that every other entry is measured against. The index measures where a car is built, which is a different question from how well it drives or what it costs to own, so it works best as one factor among several.
2. Tesla Model Y: Close Behind Its Sibling
The Tesla Model Y landed at No. 2, once again trailing the Model 3 for a second consecutive year. Together the two Tesla models take the top pair of positions, which underscores how heavily the company leans on domestic factories for its best-known products.
Shoppers who prefer an SUV body style can get nearly the same domestic-content story as in the sedan. The ranking reflects assembly and sourcing, so it says little about range, features, charging convenience or day-to-day practicality.
3. Jeep Gladiator: Stellantis Takes Third
The Jeep Gladiator came in at No. 3 on the 2026 index, which gave Stellantis the third spot in the ranking. The Gladiator is the brand’s midsize pickup, sharing much of its character with the Wrangler while adding an open cargo bed.
Truck buyers who care about American manufacturing have a rugged, off-road-minded choice near the top of the list. A high ranking here does not change the fact that the Gladiator is built for a particular kind of owner.
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee: A Grand Cherokee Pair
The Jeep Grand Cherokee took No. 4 on the index, and the ranking came along with the three-row Grand Cherokee L, so both versions of the family SUV are counted among the strongest domestic performers. The Grand Cherokee is a long-running mainstream Jeep model.
Families choosing between the two-row and three-row versions can treat the domestic ranking as a shared selling point. As always, the order is a snapshot of a single year and can shift when production plans, supplier choices or model mixes change.
5. Honda Ridgeline: Honda Leads a Pack of Five
The Honda Ridgeline arrived at No. 5, described as the first of five Hondas in the index’s top 10. The Ridgeline is a midsize pickup with a unibody construction, which sets it apart from most body-on-frame trucks in the segment.
The result is a handy reminder that a Japanese badge does not rule out heavy U.S. production. Buyers weighing a truck on domestic content alone will find that the Ridgeline matches or beats several traditional American nameplates, which makes it worth a look for that reason.
6. Honda Odyssey: Minivan on the List
The Honda Odyssey ranked No. 6 on the 2026 index, according to Motor1’s index coverage. It is the only minivan among the ten vehicles highlighted here, and its place reflects how much of the family hauler is built and sourced in the United States.
Parents who want sliding doors and a large cabin can add domestic manufacturing to the van’s list of strengths. The ranking alone leaves out price and specification, so shoppers should check current figures with a dealer or the index itself before deciding.
7. Lexus TX: Indiana-Built Luxury
The Lexus TX holds No. 7, built in Princeton, Indiana, and starting at $56,940 according to the Cars.com American-Made Index. The TX is Lexus’s three-row luxury SUV, a model aimed at families who want a premium badge, a quiet cabin and plenty of seating for passengers and cargo.
Luxury shoppers sometimes assume imported brands are built overseas, and the TX is a clear counterexample. The starting price is only a floor, and well-equipped versions typically cost noticeably more than the entry figure listed.
8. Acura MDX: Acura’s Domestic Showing
The Acura MDX appears at No. 9 on the 2026 index, as listed in Motor1’s rundown of the index. The MDX is Acura’s three-row luxury crossover, and its ranking adds a second Honda Motor Company brand to the high end of the list alongside the Honda models.
Buyers shopping for a premium family SUV can note the domestic ranking as one more factor in a crowded field. Rank alone does not capture ride, safety equipment or ownership cost, which still deserve their own research.
9. Honda Passport: Rounding Out the Hondas
The Honda Passport takes No. 10 and, as Motor1 reported, rounds out Honda’s five spots in the top 10. The Passport is a two-row midsize SUV with a rugged look, positioned between the smaller CR-V and the three-row Pilot in the lineup.
Its place on the list gives Honda an unusually deep showing for a company with Japanese roots. Shoppers who want an adventurous midsize SUV can treat it as a domestic-content option, though the index says nothing about trim or pricing.
10. Lincoln Navigator: The Priciest of the Dozen
The Lincoln Navigator holds No. 12, built in Louisville, Kentucky, and at $91,995 it is the priciest of the dozen ranked by Cars.com. It is a full-size luxury SUV that sits at the top of Lincoln’s lineup in both size and price.
The Navigator shows that high domestic content is not limited to affordable cars. Shoppers at this price are spending for space and comfort, and the index simply confirms where the work was done, not whether the price is justified.
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