How do you define the car or truck with the best claim to being made in the U.S.A.? Well, that’s up for debate. Even among experts. Here is the straight talk to simplify your car buying.

Cars.com assembles an “American-Made Index” by examining the window stickers of new vehicles to find out where they were assembled and what percentage of their components originated in the U.S. or Canada. But analysts at American University’s Kogod School of Business assign extra points for complex components such as engines and transmissions built in the U.S. They also give a vehicle extra credit if the automaker is headquartered or does its engineering in the U.S.

You could say the Cars.com index is the best way to make sure maximum dollars from your purchase go to local factory workers—even if that means buying a foreign brand. The AU rankings ensure the maximum percentage of your purchase price stays in the U.S., though that money may go to manufacturing, support white‑collar jobs, or even into investors’ pockets. Read on to see the top 10 according to Cars.com and find out whether American University agrees or disagrees.

1 – Tesla Model Y (EV)

Both Cars.com and American University agree Tesla—with multiple factories in the U.S.—builds the car with the best claim to being made in the U.S.A. But while Cars.com named the Model Y #1, AU awards its #1 spot to the Model 3 “Performance” trim. Both boast 75% U.S./Canada components. Meanwhile the Model Y and Model Y “Long Range” trim tie for #2 (70% U.S./Canada components).

See Tesla Model Y listings near you.

2 – Honda Passport (ICE)

The Honda Passport hails from Lincoln, Alabama. Cars.com awarded it #2. But this is where AU’s rankings begin to disagree strongly. The Passport only earned one of six possible points for R&D, three of six profit points, and a half point for HQ. So while it earned full points for labor, inventory and capital, and engine, it landed in the #5 spot overall by AU. Meanwhile, the Ford Mustang earned #4 to be the highest‑ranking non‑Tesla.

Browse Honda Passport listings near you.

3 – Volkswagen ID.4 (EV)

Two short years ago, Tesla swept Cars.com’s #1‑#4 spots. Volkswagen’s ID.4, assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was a dark‑horse EV that broke up Tesla’s clean sweep by claiming spot #3. Seventy‑three percent of its components are from the U.S./Canada. But AU didn’t give it any points for HQ, or profit, and minimal points for R&D. As a result the AWD ID.4 tied with General Motors’ Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon for #7. The RWD ID.4 slipped to #8 and #9, depending on battery size. As with many EVs, its larger battery pack incorporates more foreign material. It’s still the highest‑ranked EV not from Tesla.

Check out Volkswagen ID.4 listings near you.

4 – Tesla Model S (EV)

Cars.com is quick to say Teslas aren’t any less American‑made than they were in the pre‑2023 ranking’s clean sweep. Vehicles such as the Passport and ID.4 have simply stepped up their game. In fact, the Model S boasts 5% more components from the U.S./Canada, up to 60% this year. It also gets full points for labor, HQ, and R&D. Cars.com gave it the #4 spot and AU agreed, giving it #4 in a tie with the Model X and Ford Mustang GT.

See Tesla Model S listings near you.

5 – Honda Odyssey (ICE)

The Odyssey minivan is one of Honda’s three Alabama‑built offerings (alongside the Passport and Ridgeline). Cars.com ranked it #5. But in the AU rankings it got zero “profit” points because its HQ, profit, and five‑sixths of its R&D money goes abroad. So even though the Odyssey features 70% U.S./Canada components, it slipped to rank #9, tying with the Ridgeline, some Pilot trims, and big‑battery RWD VW ID.4 in AU’s list. It lost out to U.S.‑headquartered vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Mustang, and Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon.

Check out the Honda Odyssey near you.

6 – Honda Ridgeline (ICE)

For years, Cars.com rankings have named the Honda Ridgeline (assembled in Alabama) the most “American‑made” pickup truck. According to Cars.com, it beats out the Jeep Gladiator and Tesla Cybertruck, landing at spot #6. The AU rankings agree the Ridgeline features ~70% components made in the U.S./Canada, but it only gets 1/6 points for R&D, and zero for headquarters or profit. As a result it ties for #9. According to AU, the Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon all have a better claim to being made in the U.S.A.

Explore Honda Ridgeline listings near you.

7 – Toyota Camry (ICE Hybrid)

Cars.com points out that Toyota was “once a perennial AMI frontrunner,” pushed out of the top 10 by Tesla. For 2024, it returns to the #7 spot with the Camry, assembled in Georgetown, Kentucky. The U.S.A.’s favorite sedan features ~70% components made in the U.S./Canada. But AU wasn’t nearly as generous with its ranking. It got 1/6 points for R&D, and zero for profit and HQ. It also has a domestic engine but a foreign‑sourced transmission. As a result, AU gave the internal‑combustion Camry rank #20, just one spot ahead of its Lexus cousin, the ES 250. The hybrid Camry slipped even further, to #39. Starting with the 2025 model year, all future Camry cars will be hybrids.

Check out Toyota Camry listings near you.

8 – Jeep Gladiator (ICE)

The Wrangler‑based Gladiator may look like an American pickup truck. It’s assembled in Toledo, Ohio, with ~68% components from the U.S. and Canada. That earned it Cars.com’s #8 spot. But AU split it out by individual trims and found something interesting. The 4xe hybrid incorporates more foreign components (like its transmission), falling to just ~54% U.S./Canada parts. AU also points out that Amsterdam‑headquartered Stellantis owns all of Chrysler Corporation — including Jeep. So the Gladiator earned 0.5/1 point for its HQ, 3/6 for profit, and 3/6 for R&D. In the AU rankings, multiple Gladiator and Wrangler hybrid trims tie for #25. That said, AU gave the non‑hybrid Wrangler #6.

Shop Jeep Gladiator listings near you.

9 – Tesla Model X (EV)

The Tesla Model X is one model that earned a lower score (#9) in the Cars.com rankings and a higher score (tie for #4with the Model S) in the AU rankings. Tesla assembles it in the U.S., while also doing its R&D here, and is headquartered in Austin. Cars.com admits the Model X has just as high a percentage of domestic parts as it did last year, but automakers outside of Tesla have stepped up their game.

See Tesla Model X listings near you.

10 – Lexus TX (ICE)

The other Toyota Motor Corporation vehicle to make Cars.com’s top 10 is the Lexus TX. This 2023‑present third‑row crossover shares much of its engineering with the durable Toyota Highlander. It’s assembled in Princeton, Indiana. The 2023‑present TX carries about 65% of its components from the U.S./Canada. Despite Toyota being headquartered abroad, the TX 350 was still able to carve out a #13 finish on AU’s list. The hybrid TX 550h fell to #51.

Check out new Lexus TX SUVs near you.