Worried about cars built in China flooding the U.S. market? You’re not alone. Back in 2018, President Trump proposed a 25% tariff on Chinese-made vehicles. The goal was to protect domestic automakers and keep Chinese imports at bay.

Fast forward to 2025, and Chinese-made cars are already parked in American driveways. Buick, Volvo, Lincoln, and Polestar all ship cars from China to the U.S.—and more models are likely on the way.

Does it matter? Experts at Consumer Reports argue that manufacturing location doesn’t always dictate reliability or performance. Jake Fisher, senior director at CR, said, “When it comes to performance and reliability, where a car is built really matters less than how it’s designed and manufactured.” Here are six cars Americans are already buying that come straight from China.

• Lincoln Nautilus
• Buick Envision
• Volvo S90
• Volvo EX30
• Polestar 1
• Polestar 2

Buick Envision

General Motors’ Buick brand is very popular in China. So the automaker develops the compact crossovers that market demands just for China–and builds them there. This includes hybrid powertrains it doesn’t even offer in the U.S.

The Buick Envision has been built in Yantai, China, since 2014 and sold in the U.S. since 2016. Designed for Chinese buyers, the compact crossover proved so popular that GM decided to import it for American customers too. According to Consumer Reports, the Envision is still “one of the better small SUVs in its class,” thanks to solid performance and reliability data .

When Trump threatened tariffs, GM complained they would make the crossover  “economically unviable.” Trump didn’t flinch and the tariffs took effect. GM absorbed the extra costs and kept selling the Envision after all.

Lincoln Nautilus

The redesigned 2024 Lincoln Nautilus comes packed with features, including a 13.2-inch infotainment screen and advanced driver-assistance tech. But its “Made in China” label has raised eyebrows—especially as tariffs loom.

This second generation of the Lincoln Nautilus has a new home—and it’s not in North America. The luxury SUV used to be built in Ontario, Canada. But every 2024 and 2025 Nautilus sold in the U.S. rolled out of Ford’s Hangzhou plant in China.

Why the move? Ford is retooling its Ontario factory for electric vehicles, leaving no space for assembly the gas-powered SUV. Instead of relocating Nautilus assembly elsewhere in North America, it scaled up production in China and threw the extras on a boat.

Volvo S90

Volvo moved some production of the S90 sedan to Daqing, China, in 2016. At first, it focused Chinese manufacturing on building the long-wheelbase S90L–popular among Chinese customers. Now, it’s also exporting the standard S90 to the U.S., from China.

Why not build it in America? Volvo’s South Carolina plant shifted focus to SUVs like the EX90 and Polestar 3 to meet booming North American demand. That left the less-popular sedan to the Chinese plant.

Volvo EX30

The EX30 is Volvo’s smallest and most affordable electric SUV yet. Launching in 2025, this EV will also be assembled exclusively in China.

The EX30 targets budget-conscious buyers who want modern tech and sustainable materials. Even with tariffs looming, Volvo is betting its Chinese-built EV will win over North American drivers looking for value.

Polestar 1

Polestar’s first car, the Polestar 1, was built in Chengdu, China, from 2020 to 2021.

This hybrid coupe combined a turbocharged gas engine with two electric motors, offering sleek styling and sporty performance. But it was always intended as a limited run, with just 1,500 units produced .

Polestar 2

The Polestar 2 was the company’s first all-electric car. Built in Luqiao, China, it quickly gained attention for its sharp design and impressive handling.

But reviews have been mixed. Consumer Reports said the crossover’s “choppy ride and cramped interior did not impress us.” Despite this, Polestar has pushed forward, expanding its portfolio and refining its build quality. It assembles the Polestar 3 in Volvo’s South Carolina Plant. It is also tooling up a plant in South Korea to produce the Polestar 4, in case President Trump’s next round of tariffs on China are more severe.

The Chinese Connection

These six models highlight how global the auto industry has become. Cars are designed in one country, built in another, and sold around the world.

Does “Made in China” matter? Experts at Consumer Reports say not always. Alex Knizek explained, “From a build quality perspective, I’ve never noticed anything abnormal or different based on where a vehicle is assembled.”

Tariffs and politics may impact the future of Chinese imports. But for now, Chinese-built cars are here—and they don’t appear to be going anywhere.