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Just in time for America’s 250th anniversary, Cars.com has released its 21st annual American-Made Index, and Stellantis has plenty to celebrate. While Tesla once again took the top two spots, Jeep® made one of the strongest showings of any brand in the country, placing both the Jeep® Gladiator and Jeep Grand Cherokee family inside the top five.
That is a big deal. The 2026 Cars.com American-Made Index ranked the Jeep Gladiator third overall, while the two-row Jeep Grand Cherokee and three-row Grand Cherokee L came in fourth. That puts two of Stellantis’ most important Jeep nameplates right behind the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, and ahead of several well-known Honda, Toyota, Acura, Ford, Lincoln, Kia, and Lexus entries.
Jeep® Gladiator Rubicon production at the Toledo Assembly Complex. (Stellantis). Â
What The American-Made Index Measures
In this articleâ–ľ
What The American-Made Index Measures
Jeep® Gladiator And Grand Cherokee Stand Out
Stellantis Still Has A Seat At The Table
Tesla, Honda, And Toyota Also Score High
Buyers Are Paying Attention
A Big Win For Jeep
The American-Made Index is not just about where a vehicle wears its badge. It looks at several factors that help determine how much a vehicle contributes to the U.S. economy. Those factors include final assembly location, parts content, engine sourcing, transmission sourcing, and U.S. factory employment tied to production.
In simple terms, it is designed to show which vehicles have the biggest American footprint. That matters more than ever as buyers continue paying attention to tariffs, rising vehicle prices, parts sourcing, and where their money goes when they buy a new vehicle.
Cars.com evaluated more than 350 vehicles for the 2026 list, with 86 models making the cut. That is down from 99 vehicles in 2025, showing how much the market continues to shift as automakers adjust production plans and lineups.
Jeep® Grand Cherokee L production at the Detroit Assembly Complex – Mack Facility. (Stellantis).
Jeep® Gladiator And Grand Cherokee Stand Out
The Jeep Gladiator (JT) finishing third overall is a strong statement for the Toledo-built midsize pickup. The Gladiator has always had a unique place in the market, combining Jeep Wrangler-inspired capability with the usefulness of a pickup bed. Its high placement on the list reinforces that it is not just a lifestyle truck, but also one with a meaningful American manufacturing story behind it.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL74) and Grand Cherokee L (WL75) landing fourth is just as important. The Grand Cherokee remains one of Jeep’s most important products, serving families, commuters, adventurers, and luxury SUV buyers alike. The two-row Grand Cherokee and three-row Grand Cherokee L continue to represent a major part of Jeep’s U.S. lineup, and their top-five ranking shows how much American content and labor remain tied to the nameplate.
For Stellantis, having Jeep claim the No. 3 and No. 4 spots gives the company serious bragging rights heading into the country’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Jeep® Grand Cherokee production at the Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson facility. (Stellantis).
Stellantis Still Has A Seat At The Table
According to Cars.com, Stellantis placed six vehicles on the 2026 American-Made Index. While Toyota led all automakers with 14 vehicles and Honda followed with 13, Stellantis still had two of the highest-ranking vehicles in the entire study.
That is worth noting because shoppers often assume the Detroit Big-3 automatically dominate lists like this. But modern vehicle production is far more complicated than it used to be. A vehicle from a foreign-owned automaker may be assembled in the United States with a large amount of American-sourced content, while a domestic-brand vehicle may use more imported components depending on the model.
Patrick Masterson, Lead Researcher for Cars.com’s American-Made Index, explained it best: “This year’s list represents the ongoing evolution and diversification of American-made vehicles.” He added, “Notably, nearly two-thirds of this year’s list was produced by foreign automakers, about the same as in 2025, while the Detroit Three holds approximately one-third of the vehicles. Seeing so many foreign automakers on the list often surprises consumers, but this goes to show just how complex modern automotive manufacturing really is.”
Cars.com 2026 American-Made Index Top-20 Vehicles
1. Tesla Model 3
11. Toyota Camry
2. Tesla Model Y
12. Lincoln Navigator, Navigator L
3. Jeep Gladiator
13. Ford Expedition, Expedition Max
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee L
14. Lincoln Aviator
5. Honda Ridgeline
15. Ford Explorer
6. Honda Odyssey
16. Acura RDX
7. Lexus TX
17. Kia EV9
8. Honda Accord
18. Acura Integra
9. Acura MDX
19. Toyota Tundra
10. Honda Passport
20. Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Tesla, Honda, And Toyota Also Score High
Tesla continued its run at the top, with the Model 3 ranked first and the Model Y ranked second for the second year in a row. Honda also made a big showing in the top-10 with the Ridgeline, Odyssey, Accord, Passport, and Acura MDX. Toyota had the most total vehicles on the 2026 list, while the Lexus TX landed seventh overall.
Ford and Lincoln also appeared in the top 20, including the Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Aviator, and Ford Explorer. Kia also cracked the top 20 with the EV9, while Toyota added the Tundra and Corolla Cross Hybrid.
Still, from a Mopar perspective, the headline is clear: Jeep put two major vehicles near the very top of the list.
Jeep® Grand Cherokee production at the Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson facility. (Stellantis).
Buyers Are Paying Attention
Cars.com says American-made status continues to matter to shoppers. In a recent consumer survey, 57% of respondents said they would be willing to pay more for a vehicle if it helped create U.S. jobs. Of those shoppers, 69% said they would spend 5% to 10% more to help keep jobs in the United States.
Tariffs are also playing a bigger role in buying decisions. Nearly half of surveyed shoppers said tariffs were a concern while shopping for a new vehicle, while 42% said tariffs made them more likely to consider an American-made vehicle.
That gives vehicles like the Gladiator and Grand Cherokee added appeal, especially for buyers who want something with capability, heritage, and a strong connection to American manufacturing.
Jeep® Gladiator Rubicon production at the Toledo Assembly Complex. (Stellantis). Â
A Big Win For Jeep
The Cars.com American-Made Index shows that American-made does not always mean what people think it means. But for Jeep, the message is pretty straightforward. Two of its most recognizable vehicles landed inside the top five, giving Stellantis one of the strongest showings near the top of the list.
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Jeep’s strong performance on the AMI is a reminder that the brand continues to play a major role in the American automotive landscape.
Robert S. Miller