The US automotive industry used to represent so much more than just the Big Three, which are no longer automakers in the romantic sense, but multinational corporations that make cars. In my view, the American automotive industry sector was at its peak in the 1930s, and then it slowly faded into a mentality of bigger is better in the 1970s. By the year 2008, the remaining three major forces admitted defeat and it was only thanks to Obama’s controversial bailout scheme that they are still here today.
Now, while in the 1990s, and even up until 2008, many American cars were for the most part mediocre when compared to the standard set by the Japanese and Europeans, they now seem to be making a worthy comeback, with models which would appeal to any potential car buyer in the world as genuinely enticing propositions. However, don’t mistake this for a buying guide, because it’s not – it is my selection of promising American cars.
The list contains a diverse assortment of names, and styles of cars, all of which I think are worthy of your attention. I may have missed a few, in which case, keep checking the comments section and in a few days’ time, as you will surely find a few. So here goes…
By Andrei Nedelea
Cadillac CTS and ATS
The previous generation Cadillac CTS was a competent machine, which preserved the typical company styling, and gave it modern and sporty underpinnings, to at least try to match the dynamics of the rear-wheel driven Germans it was pitted against. Now, while the old car didn’t really frighten the established brands of the sector, the new CTS has that potential. It takes the idea further, but garnishes it with even better styling, a great-looking interior and the promise of great handling. That’s exactly what the smaller new ATS does, and some comparative reviews have even deemed it dynamically-superior to its main rival, the F30 BMW 3-Series. Both these cars are the Cadillacs modern car buyers are willing to spend their money on.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S needs no introduction. It is faster and roomier than any of its premium sedan rivals, while also being quieter and very good to look at. It also has the benefit of pure-electric power, and an ingenious construction which proves that purpose-built EVs (not conversions, like the Ford Focus Electric) are very close to offering drawback-free driving with zero emissions with our current level of technology. Still, since it is the first proper car built by Tesla on its own, quality will likely be an issue for a few years to come. However, by the time they launch their all-electric 3-Series fighter, which will be the third model in their lineup, we reckon build, fit and finish and overall quality will be much-improved.
Dodge Dart
The new Dart is a far cry from the old Neon, and a welcome change for Dodge. Based on Alfa Romeo running gear, the Dart is a very good looking, affordable car, with good engines, decent handling and lots of kit. It is the kind of competent mass-market car which Dodge and parent company Chrysler need in order to assure themselves a place in the future.
Jeep Cherokee
The all-new Jeep Cherokee is a gigantic departure for the 4×4 maker, both in terms of its construction, and its bold styling. Nevertheless, while the front may not be to everybody’s taste, the rest of the package looks modern and clean, with good strong lines on the outside, and a fresh-looking interior, which bears a strong resemblance to that of the aforementioned Dart. That’s no accident, and while the Jeep may have all the off-road stuff you’ve come to expect from the brand, it actually shares its underpinnings with the Dodge, so I reckon it has the potential to prove more successful than that dinosaur of an SUV, the Liberty, which it replaces.
SRT Viper
The first Dodge Viper was a very typical car for an American company, featuring long swoopy lines, an equally long bonnet and a massive 8.0-liter V10 engine which made it merit its name. Now in its third generation, the SRT Viper has lost none of the style that made it famous worldwide (Europeans go crazy over these). With an even bigger 8.4-liter V10, 640 hp and a much-improved interior, it sounds like a tempting buy for anybody looking for face-bending acceleration. Still, track tests of the car have revealed that it has an extremely stiff ride, and it can still bite when the limit of grip is exceeded.
Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR
The Chevrolet Volt is GM’s tepid attempt at making an electric car again, but this time they seem to have it right. Sure, it’s not the best idea in the world to have two engines in the same car, for obvious (weight) reasons, but the Volt proves the real-world feasibility of a range-extender hybrid. Now, while it may not be selling as well as GM was hoping, it still beat the all-electric Nissan Leaf on the US sales charts, so that’s got to count for something. The Volt-based Cadillac ELR is also a very promising car. I particularly like it because it looks like a compact and luxurious coupe, and does not shout out the fact that it can run on electricity alone for moderately-short trips (without the use of the gasoline-engine generator).
Chevrolet Impala
I included the Chevy Impala here on my list simply because its body design is extremely successful in my eyes. It really does capture the essence of American-style car shapes, and brings it into the present as few other US-made cars can. Plus, it also looks very good inside (for a Chevy), with positive reviews for its fit and finish.
Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ
The latest Ford Fusion is a real head-turner. Sure, the outline of the grille may not be its own, and the sloping roofline eats into headroom in the rear, but what we’re left with is a great shape, backed up by decent turbocharged engines and what has been called by reviewers as class-leading handling. The new Fusion has also spawned another promising car, the Lincoln MKZ. That too is a good-looking vehicle in my eyes, and since it is basically a more upmarket Fusion with different styling, it gets my vote.
Chevrolet Corvette C7 and Camaro Z/28
Chevrolet’s lineup of performance models is very impressive and with the latest two additions, it becomes even more so. The C7 Corvette, which is all new, is a serious performance car, with decades of tradition behind it and a great image. Also, despite looking quite different to its predecessor in many ways, it is still unmistakably a Corvette. However, Chevrolet also has another great name under its performance belt – the Camaro. Now refreshed for the 2014 model-year, it looks sharper, and the Z/28 promises to be a serious track machine for enthusiasts (and an image booster for the entire range).