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Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Are the 10 Most ‘American' Cars: How Much Do They Cost in 2025?
On April 29, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order and a proclamation to allow reimbursements for domestic car producers importing car parts. But the auto tariffs themselves have not been reduced; 25% tariffs on auto parts still went into effect on May 3. Car prices are expected to increase as a result. Check Out: Red Next: But what about cars made exclusively in the U.S.? Will these go up in price, too? It's likely they will because even American auto manufacturers use car parts that are not made in the U.S. 'No cars are actually 100% made in the United States with parts sourced from the United States,' said Edmunds consumer insights analyst Joseph Yoon, according to USA Today. 'It's going to be a big, big deal for the auto industry, globally, if the tariffs are implemented and enforced at face value.' But some cars are 'more American' than others. In June 2024, published a list ranking the most American-made cars. Which are they and how much do they cost in 2025? Starting Price: $56,490 Coming in at No. 10 on the list of the most 'American'-made cars is the Lexus TX 350, which Kelley Blue Book ranked at No. 8 on its roundup of best luxury mid-size SUVs. It's techy, comfy, roomy and gets good gas mileage. Plus, it has excellent resale value. The only noted con is that only the base model offers seven-passenger seating. Explore More: Starting Price: $86,880 Kelley Blue Book found that owners of the Tesla Model X gave it a 4.6 out of 5 rating and that 83% recommend it. Some compare it to a Porsche (technically it's faster than a twin turbo Porsche) and say they look forward to going out for a ride in it. But there are some drivers who feel this automobile just isn't worth the steep price. Starting Price: $40,095 The 2025 Jeep Gladiator is a pretty ferocious looking example of a midsize truck. As you might expect, it's got masterful off-road maneuvering. It's a little less impeccable with its on-road capabilities, but still a vehicle that will impress truck enthusiasts, particularly those who want an 8-speed automatic transmission. Starting Price: $29,795 The 2025 Toyota Camry has definitely impressed Kelley Blue Book reviewers, who ranked it the No. 1 best mid-size car. It's spacious, reliable and superior to all its predecessors (this is the ninth generation). Even a diligent review found no substantial cons. Starting Price: $41,600 The 2025 Honda Ridgeline isn't substantially different from the 2024 iteration, but it is spacious and pretty smooth — for a truck. It's well designed and intuitive for drivers, but some truck enthusiasts will frown upon its unibody construction. Starting Price: $43,670 Kelley Blue Book reviewers are pretty big fans of the 2025 Honda Odyssey, ranking it the second-best minivan. It's an ideal family car with easy-to-use technology. There is one pretty sizable downside, and that's the lack of a hybrid option. Starting Price: $81,880 As you may have expected, the Tesla Model S is one of the more expensive automobiles on this list, with a steep starting price of $81,880. It doesn't have Apple Car Play or Android Auto, which for some is a significant shortcoming, but it does have a 402-mile range and free supercharging for life. Starting Price: $41,420 Yes, you read that right. The famously German car brand has one of the most American-made automobiles on the market with the Volkswagen ID.4, an all-electric SUV. This vehicle has good tech and a spacious cabin, but for the best range, you'll have to spend more on a higher-end model. Starting Price: $43,850 The 2025 Honda Passport is roomy and capable, but it has an 'aging design,' according to Kelley Blue Book. It also doesn't have any upgrades from the 2024 version, but it holds up as a reliable and efficient SUV. Starting Price: $46,880 Finally, a Tesla with a price tag that won't give the middle class a stroke. It's not quite as beloved by owners as the Tesla Model X, but most of the 78 consumer reviews cited by Kelley Blue Book are favorable. It's a great all-electric car choice if you want to go fast — zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban: Trump's Tariffs Will Affect This Class of People the Most How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region How To Get the Most Value From Your Costco Membership in 2025 How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State? Sources USA Today, 'Looking for a car that's truly 'made in America'? Good luck finding one.' '2024 American-Made Index: Which Cars Are the Most American?' This article originally appeared on These Are the 10 Most 'American' Cars: How Much Do They Cost in 2025?
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
SUVs are getting bigger, but their engines are getting smaller — and it's not just about fuel economy
SUVs are getting larger while their V8 and V6 engines have been replaced by smaller motors. Smaller turbocharged engines benefit from improved fuel economy and better mid-range torque. But turbocharged engines can feel less refined and may be less reliable in the long run. Over the past year, I've driven more than two dozen SUVs and something became immediately apparent: their engines are much smaller than they used to be. Ford kicked off the current wave of engine downsizing a decade ago when its "EcoBoost" V6 engines began replacing V8s in its popular F-Series pickups and Expedition SUVs. The trend has since swept across the automotive industry thanks to the proliferation of hybrid technology, more advanced turbocharged powertrains, and increasingly strict fuel economy regulations. As the engines have gotten smaller, vehicles have only gotten bigger and heavier. Behemoths of the early 2000s, like the Hummer H1 and Ford Excursion, were outliers during their time, towering over surrounding traffic, yet SUVs of their size are commonplace these days. "I think it's kind of the inevitable reality of being a carmaker right now," Edmunds consumer insights analyst Joseph Yoon told Business Insider. Engine downsizing can take different forms depending on the type of vehicle. Generally speaking, it involves replacing a larger naturally aspirated engine with a smaller powerplant that relies on forced induction or the use of compressors, such as exhaust-driven turbochargers or belt-driven superchargers, to intake air and produce extra power. For example, the new Infiniti QX80 and Lexus LX600 full-size SUVs both have twin-turbo V6 engines instead of their previous versions' V8. While midsize SUVs like the Chevrolet Traverse, Infiniti QX60, and Toyota Highlander all recently dropped their V6s in favor of turbo four-cylinders. I've even encountered some compact SUVs, like the Nissan Rogue, that have downsized their four-cylinder motors to turbocharged three-cylinder engines. However, the results of engine downsizing can be hit or miss for consumers. For carmakers, transitioning to smaller, turbocharged engines comes with a host of benefits, chief among which is burning less fuel often while making more power. The new V6-powered QX80 gained 50 horsepower and 13% better EPA fuel economy, while the LX600 has 26 more horsepower and a whopping 36% improvement in fuel economy compared to the outgoing V8 LX570. At the same time, the four-cylinder Traverse gained 18 horsepower and a 9.5% bump in fuel economy. Even more important than outright power is that turbocharged engines tend to have more bountiful mid-range torque than naturally aspirated engines, which translates to a feeling of more effortless acceleration for drivers, Gabe Shenhar, associate director of the auto test program at Consumer Reports, told Business Insider Finally, downsizing to more efficient engines helps carmakers meet tighter emissions and economy regulations, allowing them to give EV-phobic consumers more ICE options in the marketplace. "I think for a lot of people, there's a lot of general anxiety about trying something new, especially if you're not in a big urban metro area where it's hard for you to find charging infrastructure," Shenhar explained to Business Insider. Despite their advantages, modern turbocharged engines have drawbacks for consumers, including inconsistent power delivery and a "general lack of refinement," Shenhar and Yoon told Business Insider. "Sometimes, with turbo engines, you have uneven throttle response. You get a little bit of a dead zone initially, then kind of an abrupt belated response," Shenhar said. That means it may take some getting used to your new powertrain, with a potential learning curve to accelerate smoothly. For example, the new turbocharged four in a 2025 Infiniti QX60 I recently drove not only sounds cheap and tinny but also delivers its powered unpredictable surges. And those theoretical gains in fuel economy from turbocharging may not materialize in everyday driving. For example, the turbocharged, three-cylinder Nissan Rogue should have a three MPG advantage over the naturally aspirated four-cylinder it replaced. Instead, the three and four-cylinder Rogues returned identical fuel economy figures in Consumer Reports testing. That has to do with the way turbocharged engines make their power and the way you apply the throttle. Turbocharged engines are exceptionally efficient when cruising at a steady speed. However, the more you gun the throttle and the more boost you send into the engine, the less efficient it will be. So, every time the driver aggressively stomps on the gas when driving, the more they "counteract the gains in fuel economy." Shenhar explained. Turbocharged motors make power by compressing and violently forcing air into the combustion chamber to create a more powerful explosion. As a result, their components are more stressed and may not be as reliable in the long run as their naturally aspirated counterparts. Turbochargers have traditionally been used on sports cars and models targeted at automotive enthusiasts. This is the first generation of vehicles in which they are widely deployed on family haulers that need to consistently and reliably get from point A to point B. "I think we're kind of in semi-uncharted territory in terms of what turbocharging is going to do because I think all auto enthusiasts know you can't add power without taking things away whether that's refinement, or whether that's reliability, something has to give." Yoon, the Edmunds automotive analyst, said. However, both Shenhar and Yoon say there isn't enough data to make a firm conclusion at the moment. Shenhar notes that, based on Consumer Reports data, long-term reliability will depend more on the individual automaker than anything else. Read the original article on Business Insider
