Ready to say goodbye to that foreign beater that’s weighing you down? Maybe it’s that you’re sick of your European or Japanese model, or maybe it’s the call of Ol’ Glory urging you to buy one of the great models coming from right here in America. Whatever your reason, there are plenty of excellent American-made options to choose from for 2016.
If you’ve ever gazed wistfully out over the city through your window and thought “Boy, I really need to sell my car, Cincinnati,” then here’s a quick look at the best options coming out of the heartland today. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to take one of these great new American vehicles out for a test drive in the near future.
2016 Chevrolet Volt
As concerns around climate change and gas price have gone up so too has demand for quality electric vehicles, and automakers have responded with some amazing strides in hybrid vehicle technology. Few models embody this progress like the 2016 Chevy Volt, which offers a breath of fresh air to the hybrid market with its bold electric capabilities and reliable hybrid gas engine to provide plenty of power on the road.
Boasting an incredible 53-mile electric-only range, the Volt offers a practical way for the average to go about their daily errands or commute without ever using a drop of gas. And, when the electric battery does begin to run out, the 1.5L direct-injected, high-efficiency engine kicks in to provide up to 420 miles on a single charge and full tank of gas. With these technologies combined, Chevy estimates that drivers will go about 1000 miles between fill-ups with regular charging.
Charging itself has been improved as well, with the Volt offering either a 120-volt charger, which can fill a battery in 13 hours, or an available 240-volt charging station that can power up to a full battery in just 4.5 hours. Plus, the system can be programmed to charge only during certain hours to take advantage of off-peak rates.
This hybrid vehicle also features highly efficient regenerative braking technology, which can capture the kinetic energy produced when the axles are turning but aren’t being powered by the motor, including during braking and during a downhill descent. This energy can then be stored for later use in the battery itself, extending your battery life and pushing the Volt even further thanks to its own power.
Starting at an MSRP of just $25,670, the Volt is a highly affordable domestic hybrid that can seriously rival those brands from overseas.
2016 Dodge Durango
For the modern family, simply getting a car big enough to fit everyone is not enough anymore. When a family looks for a car these days, they’re thinking bout comfort, bout entertainment, and about safety – and few models deliver on all these fronts quite like the 2016 Dodge Durango.
Boasting not only impressive performance and the proven reliability of the Dodge nameplate, this updated SUV offers some of the best entertainment options available with its 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with UConnect software connectivity for music streaming, phone syncing, and all your entertainment needs in one easy spot. You can blast your music through the available 9-speaker audio system and stay focused with the integrated navigation system.
Also featuring a high-strength steel frame with specially designed crumple zones as well as seven standard airbags, the 2016 Durango is ready and able to protect you and your passengers in the event of a collision. Plus, with plenty of preventative safety features like adaptive cruise control and backup assistance, you may be able to avoid accidents altogether.
Whether you’re looking for the power of its 3.6L V6 engine or the luxury of its available leather heated seats, the 2016 Durango starts at just $30,495 and offers one of the best choices for families looking to ride proudly in an American made car.
2016 Ford Mustang
Of course, nothing screams “American car” quite like the roar of a powerful motor pushing down the track at astoundingly high speeds. That’s why many domestic drives turn to superpowered sport models, including the impressive new 2016 Ford Mustang. Featuring some of the most powerful engine options available today, the Mustang is sure to deliver for that power-hungry consumer looking for a little something extra under the pedal.
Even the Mustang’s standard 3.7L V6 engine provides impressive power on and off the track, offering up 300 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque with a fuel efficiency of 22 mpg combined. For those looking to stay a little more eco-friendly without giving up any power, the efficient 2.3L EcoBoost engine pumps out 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft of torque at an astounding 25 mpg combined.
Then, of course, there are those engines that unleash the full power of the Mustang, starting with the Mustang GT’s 5.0L V8 – capable of 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft of torque and also featuring a launch control for ideal takeoffs. Finally, for the supreme feeling of power available on the Mustang, the 5.2L V8 Shelby GT350 engine can crank out an amazing 569 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft of torque and boasts both a limited-slip differential and MgneRide suspension for ultimate handling at high speeds.
For those who don’t want to sacrifice on overall power for their domestic model, look no further than the 2016 Ford Mustang, with a starting MSRP of just $24,145.
2016 Chevrolet Camaro
Not every driver is simply looking for as much power as possible, however; some classier consumers will always be on the lookout for that delicate balance of raw power and refined sophistication, and few models truly provide both quite like the new 2016 Chevy Camaro.
Camaros, of course, are also known for their speed and power, and the 2016 is no exception: boasting a 6.2L LT1 V8 engine that can push out 455 horsepower and 455 lb.-ft of torque, the Camaro SS can provide serious performance when it need to. Plus, drivers can choose either the super-comfortable 8-speed automatic or the precisely-tuned 6-speed manual transmission for ultimate driving pleasure.
Also boasting available magnetic ride control for a totally smooth ride on rough surfaces as well as all kinds of upgraded entertainment and safety technology, the new 2016 Camaro offers exactly that combination of elegant design and powerful race-ready stamina that’s perfect for the American driver – and all at a starting MSRP of just $25,700.
2016 Tesla Model S
Finally, there are those drivers who are ready to eschew gas-powered cars altogether but who want to buy a car actually made in this country. The best answer: the new Tesla Model S, an astounding all-electric car from Tesla Motors that’s looking to revolutionize the all-electric vehicle.
Undeniably sleek and luxurious, what’s most impressive about the Model S is its electric range of 256 miles on a single charge. And, since an electric vehicle does not feature the same hundreds of moving parts found in a gas engine, acceleration in theModel S is nearly instantaneous, able to get from zero to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds.
The Model S is also one of the first models to offer an autopilot setting, which can steer within a lane on the highway, change lanes, and control its own speed using an adaptive and intelligent cruise control. This, plus a host of safety technology founded around an array of cameras and sensors in the vehicle, offer one of the safest and most exciting rides around – and all without ever using a drop of gas. Starting at $69,900, the Model S is the dream car of the future that Tesla has made a reality right now.
These are the five coolest, most impressive and most desirable American made models now available at dealerships near you. So if you’re looking to ditch that foreign ride and pick yourself up a new American vehicle, consider one of these five and soon you’ll be riding proudly in your new American beauty.
