The 20 most American new cars of 2023

The most American-made cars and trucks of 2023

The first Tesla Cybertruck has been produced at the firm’s Giga Texas factory. Fans are hoping this means the launch of the hotly-anticipated new U.S.-built truck is imminent.

However, what if you can’t wait, but are still looking to buy an automobile made locally? Well, you’re in luck, because the latest American-Made Index has been published by Cars.com.

The Cars.com methodology uses a number of factors to determine just how American a vehicle is. This includes where final assembly takes place, the percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts, and where the powertrain components come from.

Other criteria can see vehicles excluded, such as cars due to be discontinued soon, or with fewer than 1,000 examples made.

From a total list of 100 vehicles, these are the 20 that topped the American-Made Index for 2023. And, American Tesla fans, keep clicking – you’re unlikely to be disappointed…

20. Nissan Pathfinder

Despite Nissan’s substantial presence in North America, the Pathfinder SUV is its top-rated model on the American-Made Index for 2023. The fifth-generation Pathfinder is larger than the version it replaced, and is related to the luxurious Infiniti QX60.

The current Pathfinder was introduced for the 2022 model year, and is produced at Nissan’s Smyrna assembly plant in Tennessee.

19. Chevrolet Corvette

The sole General Motors product in the top 20 American-Made Index is the eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette.  The move to being mid-engined may have caused a shock, but America’s sports car continues to be built in Kentucky.

The Bowling Green Assembly Plant produced close to 26,000 Corvettes in 2022, split between the coupe and hardtop convertible models. The 2023 model-year sees the addition of a new Z06 high-performance version.

Looking ahead, the Corvette E-Ray hybrid will arrive next year, becoming the first Corvette to feature all-wheel drive.

18. Toyota Sequoia

Previously disqualified from the American-Made Index, the new Toyota Sequoia full-size SUV made the cut for 2023. Production of the latest, third-generation model was shifted to Toyota’s San Antonio plant in Texas, where it’s built alongside the Tundra pickup truck.

Powering the new Sequoia is a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, including hybrid technology. It produces a substantial 437 horsepower, and is combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

17. Kia K5

Previously just outside the top 20, the Kia K5 has climbed up the ranking in the American-Made Index for 2023.

The fifth-generation car debuted for the 2021 model year, with the K5 nameplate replacing the previous Optima badge. Like several other Kia and Hyundai vehicles, the K5 is manufactured at the West Point facility in Georgia.

16. Lincoln Corsair

Last year, the Lincoln Corsair managed an impressive top 10 position in the American-Made Index. For 2023, the Corsair has slipped a little, but is still within the top 20.

A large number of American and Canadian-sourced parts help the Corsair to remain a high-ranking model, with production taking place in Louisville, Kentucky.

15. Honda Pilot

Honda makes a strong showing throughout the top 20 list, with five vehicles included in total. The Pilot is the Japanese marque’s largest SUV produced in the United States, sharing a platform with the Odyssey minivan and Ridgeline pickup truck.

Like those vehicles, the three-row Pilot is produced at the Honda Manufacturing of Alabama plant in Lincoln, AL. The current, fourth-generation model was launched in 2022.

14. Acura TLX

The first of three Acuras in a row on this list, the second-generation TLX sedan was launched in 2021. It’s the flagship four-door in the Acura range, including the high-performance Type S model.

The TLX is made at the Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio, alongside a number of Honda vehicles. For 2023, Acura revealed a limited-production TLX Type S PMC Edition, which was inspired by the NSX supercar.

13. Acura Integra

A relative of the American-built Honda Civic, the latest Acura Integra has brought back a famous nameplate. Unlike its predecessors, however, the new Integra is produced in Marysville, Ohio.

This year saw the introduction of a sporty Integra Type S, which shares performance parts with the Honda Civic Type R. A 320 horsepower 2.0-liter engine makes the Type S a serious driving machine.

12. Toyota Tundra

Moving into the top 20 for this year’s American-Made Index is the latest Toyota Tundra pickup. This makes it the highest rated full-size truck on our list, many places above the Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado.

A considerable 104,000 examples of the Tundra were produced during 2022.

11. Honda Accord

Rumors of the Honda Accord’s demise were clearly premature, as the all-new 11th-generation model arrived in late 2022. Larger dimensions have better allowed it to accommodate hybrid powertrains.

Like its predecessors, the latest Accord continues to be produced at Honda’s Marysville plant in Ohio.

10. Acura RDX

Into the top 10, the Acura RDX has plenty of American content, and is built at Honda’s East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio, a facility designed to focus on production of SUV models.

It’s a good performance for the compact luxury crossover, which also delivers impressive on-road performance and strong value for money.

9. Honda Ridgeline

Another product of Honda’s Global Light Truck Platform, the second-generation Ridgeline continues to be a popular choice – and a high performer on the American-Made Index.

Designed to drive more like a car than a traditional pickup, the Ridgeline has created its own niche amongst truck owners. A major update in 2021 has helped keep the Honda plant in Lincoln, Alabama, busy.

8. Acura MDX

Leaving the production line alongside the Acura RDX is the MDX. But this latest, fourth-generation MDX finishes two positions ahead of the smaller Acura for 2023.

A new entrant for the 2022 model year, the Acura MDX gives buyers the choice of a 3.5-liter V-6 or a 3.0 twin-turbocharged V-6 for the Type S version. The latter offers a considerable 355 horsepower and all-wheel drive, alongside a 10-speed automatic transmission.

It outperforms the related Honda Pilot on the American-Made Index, too.

7. Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey minivan also ranks above the Pilot on this list. With only a handful of minivans left on sale in North America, the Odyssey represents a niche option for those who do not want an SUV.

Offered in seven- and eight-seat layouts, all versions of the Odyssey are powered by a 280 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6. It too is produced at Honda’s plant in Lincoln, Alabama.

6. Volkswagen ID.4

A new addition to the list for 2023 – and rocketing straight into the top 20 – is the electric Volkswagen ID.4 SUV.

The ID.4 is produced for the North American market at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga Assembly Plant in Tennessee. Extensive investment has enabled the facility to produce EVs such as the ID.4 alongside traditional models like the Volkswagen Atlas.

5. Honda Passport

The Honda Passport is also made at the Lincoln, AL manufacturing facility, sharing the familiar GLTP platform.

What helps the Passport score so highly is that such a large percentage of its parts come from either the United States or Canada. However, Tesla’s success sees it drop one place for 2023.

The Passport received a major facelift in 2022, with a brand-new TrailSport specification added for off-road action.

4. Tesla Model S

Tesla has posted an incredibly strong performance in the 2023 American-Made Index. Its vehicles now occupy all of the top four places, with the Model S the lowest-placed of the quartet.

It may be the oldest Tesla on sale, but continued production at the Fremont factory in California keeps the Model S high on this list.

3. Tesla Model X

Like the Model S, the Tesla Model X is starting to show its age. It underwent a major update for the 2021 model year, helping it to meet the production threshold for inclusion in the American-Made Index.

The Model X continues to be built at Tesla’s Fremont factory, claiming the bronze medal position for 2023.

2. Tesla Model 3

The popular Tesla Model 3 has maintained its second-place ranking. A best-seller around the world since being launched in 2017, the Model 3 continues to attract new customers to electric power – and the Tesla way of doing things.

Like the Model S and Model X, it too is assembled at the Fremont factory in California.

1. Tesla Model Y

Topping the table for another year is the Tesla Model Y. For 2023, the electric compact crossover is the most American-made vehicle on sale.

As with other Teslas, the fact that the battery and motors for the Model Y are produced in Nevada hugely helps its rating. Final assembly takes place at the Tesla Factory in Fremont, along with limited production at the Gigafactory facility in Texas.

Join us in another year to see if the Model Y has done enough to continue its lead at the top of the American-Made Index.