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Say what you will about outsourcing and the post-recession economy, but America still makes some darn fine automobiles. Here are the top American cars according to a number of consumer reporting sources as of the time of this writing:
Best Compact Car: Chevrolet Cruze LT
Compact cars tend to be more of a Japanese thing, right? How can American cars possibly compete? Well, Asia may tend to have the market cornered, but Chevy gives them a run for their money with the Cruze LT. The Cruze LT is like a big car in a compact body, with a quiet interior and a smooth, cozy ride. The engine is a 1.3 liter four-cylinder turbo, with six-speed auto transmission. 30 miles to the gallon, an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay running on an Android OS, with a surprisingly roomy rear seat. It’s like a pocket-sized Cadillac.Give this car some time, and it may reach the top 10 best used cars for first-time drivers.
Best Sports Car: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The Corvette has long been America’s answer to fancy European cars, and the new Stingray is no exception. The beautiful sharp edges of the car lend it that awesome sports car look you want. Under the hood you’ll find a 455-hp, 6.2 liter V8. The car comes with a seven-speed manual as the standard, but you can get an eight-speed automatic if you like (though let’s be honest, if you’re a sports car lover, you’re probably more interested in manual transmission). You can upgrade to a 650-hp Z06 if you have a need for speed. The car is noted for its tremendous acceleration and comfortable seats.
Best SUV: Buick Enclave CXL
SUV’s are probably the car that America does better than anyone, and this year was no exception, with plenty to choose from, like the compact Ford Escape Titanium, with its 2.0-liter turbo engine and forward-collision warning, the Midsize Ford Edge SEL with a twin turbo V6, and the Chevy Traverse LT, with its incredible handling. But, the Enclave CXL luxury SUV takes the cake, thanks to a powerful 2.6 liter V6 with a butter-smooth six speed automatic transition, a three-row cabin like a living room, and very nice handling.
Best Green Car: Chevrolet Volt
The Chevy Volt gets thirty five to fifty three miles on a single electric charge, and can switch to gas for longer trips at 42 mpg. The cozy, smooth-riding Chevy Volt may not be the biggest car or the most impressive to look at, but it’s a huge step forward for hybrid cars, allowing you to drive around town or make short road trips without using one drop of gas.
Best Overall: Tesla Model S
The Tesla has become a symbol of American industry and technology lately, a new hope in a car industry that some feel has seen better days. The 2016 Tesla Model S is simply fantastic, and could only have been made in America. The all-electric Model S is not “pretty good for an electric,” it’s just an incredible car overall. Tremendously smooth ride with a huge touchscreen console, seven seats all-wheel drive, and surprisingly roomy. The Tesla Model S represents the future of the industry. The Tesla is out of most people’s price range, but that may change in the next few years.
The American auto industry is not dead. 2016 has kept up with 2012’s most stolen cars in America. It’s going through some growing pains, it’s seeing serious competition from overseas, it’s struggled through one of the worst economic recessions we’ve ever seen. But it’s not dead. With electric cars and American industrialism, you’re not going to see an end to US car factories anytime soon.
