Planning to buy a car? These brands are safest from tariffs and these could cost you a bomb as new auto tariffs go into effect

5 Cars That Are Safest From Tariffs — And 5 Getting Hit the Hardest- As President Donald Trump takes steps to ease tariffs on auto imports in 2025, some vehicles are getting a bit of breathing room — but many cars are still vulnerable to price hikes. For American drivers, this means costs are still climbing, especially for models heavily dependent on foreign parts.

Which cars are the safest from auto tariffs in 2025?

When it comes to surviving tariff shocks, domestically produced cars with high U.S.-made content are faring the best. According to Motor1, which recently ranked vehicles based on the percentage of American parts and manufacturing, Tesla leads the way.

Here's a look at the top 5 vehicles that are safest from tariffs:

1. Tesla Model 3 Performance – 87.5% domestic content
   
   
2. Tesla Model Y – 85% domestic content
   
   
3. Tesla Cybertruck – 82.5% domestic content
   
   
4. Tesla Model S – 80% domestic content
   
   
5. Tesla Model X – 80% domestic content
   
   

Tesla’s strong domestic production puts it in a favorable spot. As Usha Haley, Barton Distinguished Chair at Wichita State University, told Quartz, “Tesla will be among the least affected.” These cars are built largely in the U.S., keeping them out of the tariff crosshairs — for now.

Also ranking well are Ford’s Mustang GT AT, at 80% U.S. content, and Volkswagen’s ID.4 AWD (82 kWh), which hits 75.5%.

What makes some cars more vulnerable to tariffs?

The biggest losers in this tariff shakeup are cars built with mostly foreign parts, and there are plenty of them. Models that rely heavily on overseas supply chains are getting hit the hardest by the new tariff rules.

According to Motor1 data, here are five cars most impacted by tariffs due to their low U.S. production share:

1. Hyundai Elantra – 1% domestic production
   
   
2. BMW M3 Sedan – 1%
   
   
3. Subaru BRZ – 1%
   
   
4. Toyota GR 86 – 1%
   
   
5. Toyota GR Corolla – 1%
   
   

These vehicles are largely built abroad or depend on imported parts. That makes them more exposed to tariff-related cost hikes.

Liz Hempel, partner at McKinsey & Company, explained that auto supply chains aren’t easy to move. “Switching production venues takes at least two years and billions of dollars,” she said. “Tariffs, which hit overnight, only add to the complexity.”

Are prices already going up — and by how much?

Yes, prices are rising — and quickly. Even with Trump’s easing of tariffs, car prices have jumped since the announcement.

Kevin Roberts, director at CarGurus, told Quartz that:

• The average new car price is up $650
  
  
• Used car prices climbed $150
  
  

This surge is largely driven by a rush of demand in March, as buyers hurried to beat potential increases. “The impact has been most pronounced in the affordable segment,” Roberts noted, especially for cars under $50,000.

George Faracchio, VP at AutoLenders, added that current inventory has softened the initial blow — but that won’t last long. “As we move deeper into the spring and summer months, if tariffs remain in place… we expect prices to climb steadily,” he said.

What does this mean for the rest of 2025 car sales?

If you're thinking about buying a car this year, you might want to act sooner rather than later.

John Lash, group VP at e2open, says the March buying surge was no surprise. “With budgets tight, many consumers decided it was smarter to buy now than risk paying more later,” he said. But that jump might be short-lived.

Lash predicts a steep drop in sales ahead. “After this brief jump, we should get ready for a long and extended drop in new car sales,” he said, unless tariff policies shift again.

Why this matters for U.S. car buyers

The 2025 automotive tariff story is more than politics — it’s already changing what people pay for cars. Whether you're buying new or used, or even just watching the market, knowing which cars are safer from tariffs can help you make a better decision.

Cars like Tesla’s Model 3 or Ford’s Mustang GT are better positioned to avoid steep price hikes, while imports like the Hyundai Elantra or Toyota GR 86 could come with a much bigger price tag in the months ahead.

And as experts across the board agree: these changes aren’t going away soon. So if your old car is on its last legs, now might be the best time to shop before prices climb further.

FAQs:

Q1: Which cars are least affected by the 2025 automotive tariffs?
Cars with high U.S.-made parts like Tesla models and Ford Mustang GT.

Q2: Why are car prices going up despite tariff relief in 2025?
Because most cars still rely on imported parts, raising overall production costs.