One of the biggest advantages American cars have always had over European cars is affordability. American cars typically offer more bang for your buck than European cars, which is why they are popular all over the world. However, that doesn't mean that every American car is affordable. In fact, some American cars have prices so insane that only multi-millionaires can afford them.
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Many of these expensive American cars deserve their prices since they had superb designs, advanced technology and engineering, were produced in very limited numbers, were racing icons, or had other unique features that made gearheads want to spend a fortune on them. However, there are some expensive American cars that most gearheads believe are overpriced. Let's explore ten of them.
10Dodge Viper ACR - $121,395
When the Dodge Viper burst onto the scene in the '90s, it was the blue-collar hero of the sports car world. Its unique design, massive V10 engine, and attractive price tag earned it many fans worldwide.
The Viper stayed in production for 26 years, and as the years went by, its price went up even if there were no significant improvements in design or power. By the time Dodge pulled the plug on the Viper in 2017, it was just another overpriced sports car desperately relying on its legacy to get sales.
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9Cadillac Escalade Platinum - $101,595
The Cadillac Escalade has always aimed to be the American equivalent of the Range Rover, but it has always failed to meet the high standards set by the iconic British SUV. The latest Escalade generation debuted in 2021 and is available in five trim levels, with the best and most expensive being the Platinum.
The Escalade Platinum costs more than $100,000, which we think is overpriced since the vehicle is based on the same platform as the much cheaper Chevy Tahoe.
8Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible - $125,400
The 'ZR1' designation is usually given to the most powerful Corvette of each generation. The latest Corvette ZR1 was introduced in 2019 to give the C7 generation a fitting send-off, and it didn't disappoint.
The ZR1 comes with a monstrous 755-hp V8 under the hood, allowing it to become the fastest Corvette ever. The ZR1 was available in coupe and convertible versions, with the convertible being the pricier option at $125,000. While the ZR1 is fantastic, we don't think it's worth twice the price of the base C7.
7Cadillac Allante - $54,700
In the '80s, Cadillac decided to develop a new, aspirational sports car model that would help maintain its position as the best luxury carmaker in the US. Cadillac's main goal was to combine European design with American performance, so they hired Pininfarina to come up with the design. The result was the Allante.
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The Allante was initially a huge hit thanks to the design. However, since it had to be shipped all the way from Pininfarina facilities in Italy, it ended up costing too much and had to be discontinued.
6Jeep Wrangler 392 - $74,995
The Wrangler has always been one of the most popular American SUVs since its debut in 1986. Everyone loves its design, practicality, off-road capabilities, and affordability. Another reason why gearheads love the Wrangler is that it's available with a wide range of engines.
The latest Wrangler is arguably the greatest, as it can now be equipped with a gargantuan 470-hp Hemi V8 in the 392 trim. This makes it super fast, but we don't think it's enough to make it worth more than twice the base Wrangler.
5Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing - $83,995
Cadillac is always looking to upend top European luxury car manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW!, and its latest attempt is with the CT5. The CT5 was introduced in 2019, but since some people felt it lacked power, Cadillac introduced the more powerful CT5-V Blackwing.
Powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 pushing out 668 ponies, the CT5-V goes from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of over 200 mph. The only thing we don't like about the CT5-V Blackwing is its price - an eye-watering $84,000.
4Ford F-450 Super Duty Lariat - $71,725
The F-450 sits right at the top of Ford's Super Duty range and is among the largest, most capable trucks in the world. This mighty truck has a lot going for it - a spacious interior, a huge 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine developing 475 hp and a massive 1,050 lb-ft of torque, and a towing capacity of up to 37,000 lbs.
The F-450 also boasts a luxurious interior in the Lariat and other top trims. All things considered, the F-450 Super Duty Lariat is a formidable all-rounder. However, $71,000 seems a bit high for a truck.
3Lincoln Navigator Black Label - $98,000
The Navigator has been one of the most popular Lincoln models over the last two decades. Introduced in 1997, the Navigator is a full-size SUV based on the Ford Expedition but fitted with all sorts of luxury features to allow it to compete with the Cadillac Escalade.
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The latest Navigator generation debuted in 2018 and still shares the Ford T3 platform with the Expedition. The top-ranging Black Label trim costs $98,000, making it the most expensive vehicle sold by Ford (with the exception of the GT). While the Navigator Black Label is a fantastic SUV with tons of upscale features, we don't think it's worth that kind of money.
2Tesla Model S - $94,990
Over the last few years, Tesla has itself as the industry leader when it comes to EVs. Tesla is largely viewed as the pioneer of the EV industry, which is why its cars are typically more expensive than those from other EV manufacturers. The Model S is a perfect example of this.
Tesla introduced the Model S to compete in the luxury sedan space, and while its interior and build quality may not feel like a luxury car, its price definitely does. The Model S starts at $94,000 and goes up to $130,000, which is quite costly. Instead of buying this car, we'd recommend the Mercedes-Benz EQS.
1Czinger 21C - $2,000,000
Czinger is a California-based automaker established in 2019 with the goal of developing world-beating sports cars. Czinger's only vehicle is the 21C - a 3D-printed hybrid sports car developed using AI.
The 21C has a proper supercar design and comes with a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.88-liter twin-turbo V8 and two electric motors. The combined output is 1,250 hp, enough to make the 21C one of the most powerful American cars ever. The 21C looks like a promising car, but we wouldn't pay $2 million for the first car built by a company that's only been in business for 3 years.
9 Amazing German Sports Cars...And 9 American Cars That Beat Them Read NextShareTweetShareEmail Related TopicsAbout The AuthorMartin Peter(286 Articles Published)
Martin is a seasoned content creator who has been writing about cars for over a decade, and has been in love with them for even longer. Growing up, Martin was surrounded by gearheads who instilled a deep love and understanding for cars in him at a young age. He loves to learn and write about all the developments happening in the auto industry - especially in the EV space. When he's not writing about cars, he likes to spend quality time with his wife, kids, and fur baby.