These days, with so many vehicles from so many automakers built in U.S. factories and many vehicles from American brands built in countries such as Mexico and Canada, it can be hard to define what exactly makes a car American. Unfortunately, back when it was more clear-cut, it was also harder to justify buying American because the competition was just that much better.
Thankfully, the Big Three have upped their game in recent years, and you can now buy some American cars, trucks and SUVs that legitimately compete with foreign automakers. Which ones though? Conveniently, our friends over at Consumer Reports recently put together a list of the best American vehicles in each segment so you can buy American without immediately regretting your decision. Let’s take a look at which vehicles they’ve chosen.
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With a base price of less than $35,000, the Cadillac CT4 is priced like a BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe or Audi A3 but is built on an actual rear-wheel-drive platform that provides legitimately impressive driving dynamics. The back seat may not be the most spacious, but you may be surprised by exactly how impressive the CT4 actually is.
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If you want an electric sedan, the Tesla $TSLA Model 3 has essentially become the default choice in the U.S. thanks to its solid range and easily accessible power. The ride is stiff, and no one’s having a good time in the back seats, but on the other hand, you can charge at a Tesla Supercharger, so we understand why so many people still buy the Model 3.
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The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray no longer starts below $60,000, but even at $68,300, name another mid-engine sports car you can get for similar money.
[checks notes, notices that’s the same MSRP as a Porsche 718 Cayman]
OK, name a new mid-engine sports car with more than 400 hp that you can get for similar money. We’ll wait.
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It can be hard to get excited about compact crossovers in general, and we’re not going to pretend the Equinox drives like a more spacious Corvette. It does, however, provide a quiet spacious cabin if you can get past the less-than-exciting interior materials.
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It’s easy to forget about the Ford $F Edge. After all, it hasn’t been fully redesigned since the 2015 model year. When the second-generation Edge first went on sale, few people were even thinking about the possibility that the host of The Celebrity Apprentice would soon be president. Following a 2021 update, though, there really isn’t anything to complain about, and the Edge is still a pretty competent crossover.
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Ford $F’s put a lot of money into making Lincoln relevant again, and while the current Corsair is no BMW X3 killer, it’s still a much better luxury compact crossover than you might expect. In addition to a well-appointed, comfortable cabin, the Corsair is also pretty stylish, which never hurts.
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Buick may not be the most exciting brand in General Motors $GM’ portfolio, but if you’re looking for a premium three-row crossover, the Enclave is definitely worth a serious look. Many other luxury crossovers with three rows cost significantly more than the Enclave’s $45,000 starting price. The BMW X7 may be “better,” but is it really worth nearly double the money?
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The Ford $F Mustang Mach-E isn’t a traditional Mustang like most people are used to seeing, but if you ignore the name, you’re looking at one of the better electric crossovers that you can buy. Even better, it handles better than you might expect from a heavy crossover.
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If you go on a lot of road trips, you’re probably going to want to skip the Ford $F Mustang Mach-E in favor of the Tesla $TSLA Model Y. Like the Model 3 that it’s based on, the ride quality is going to be disappointing, but if you ignore that, it drives well and has access to the Tesla Supercharger network.
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It wasn’t too long ago that if you wanted a minivan from an American automaker, you had several options. These days, it’s either the Chrysler Pacifica or something from another country. And while it may not be the most reliable minivan that you can buy, the availability of all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain do make it worth considering.
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If you’re sick of how unbelievably massive full-size pickup trucks have become, look no further than the Ford $F Maverick. It’s not a truck that you’ll take to Moab, but it’s all the truck most people are going to need on a daily basis. Plus, it starts at about $20,000 and can be ordered as a hybrid.
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When it comes to full-size pickup truck sales, the Ford $F F-150 is king (unless you combine Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra sales). If you want the best full-size pickup truck on the market, however, you’re going to want to look at the Ram 1500. It doesn’t necessarily have the lowest base price, but you get an incredibly spacious, well-rounded and comfortable truck for your money.
This slideshow was originally published on Jalopnik.
