Home-grown or import, cars on both sides of the Atlantic have their strong points. Given a choice, it's a close run battle choosing one over the other.

Kicking off with American Cars. Trucks, big SUVs, and V8s are what made Ford, General Motors, and others popular. For American gearheads, V8s rule the roost with their big cubes, and unlimited tuning potential. However, American cars have other benefits, as they're cheaper to buy and easier to maintain. Score one for the American car industry.

On the other side of the pond. European carmakers boast more impressive engineering solutions. At a cost, of course. Most notable, higher running costs, and less forgiving tolerances. On a good day, European sports cars leave their U.S. counterparts trailing in a cloud of dust. Luxury cars too, are in a different league. You won't find acres of cheap plastics in a Bentley Flying Spur.

Neither American nor European cars are the best at everything. Instead, pick and choose the best each car has to offer, and you can't go wrong.

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10 Why We'd Buy An American Car Over European Models: American V8s

Dodge Challenger RT Scat Pack - Front
via: Dodge

A Ferrari V8 might sound nicer, but in every other regard, American V8s are better. They are better through simplicity; using a push-rod design means there is less to go wrong. Dependability is why gearheads love V8s.

Dodge Challenegr RT Scat Pack Engine
Via: Mecum Auctions

Under the hood of the Dodge Challenger R/T, you’ll find a bomb-proof 6.4-liter HEMI punching out 485 hp. In most cases, gearheads would be happy with a low 4-second 0-60 mph time. Yet, more is always better, and the Hellcat Redeye delivers a colossal 797 hp.

9 Why We'd Buy An American Car Over European Models: American Performance Bargains

Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang - Front
Via Ford

Make no mistake, $80,000 is a huge chunk of change. Money well spent if you're a Ford fan with a taste for Shelby's GT500 makeover. Most passers-by will think you own a Mustang with some flashy stripes and wheels. Yet, pop the hood, and it becomes clear the GT500 is anything but standard. A modified Predator V8 cranks out 760 hp pushing the Ford to sixty in 3.4-seconds.

BMW M4 CSL - Front
Via BMW Media

By comparison, BMW's M4 CSL at $140,000 seems overpriced with a mere 550 hp available. In reality, you're paying premium prices for the BMW badge. Sure the M4 is as quick and will handle better too. But, the GT500 is going to deliver more smiles per mile for half the cost.

8 Why We'd Buy An American Car Over European Models: American Trucks

Ford F-150 Raptor - Front
Via Ford Media

The Ford F-150 continues its stranglehold on cars sales in the U.S. In 2021 alone, shifting 720,000 examples across the range. Outsiders rarely get a look in with gearheads, those that come close tend to be Japanese imports. European brands? Well, they are scarce in numbers and designs.

Ford F-150 Raptor - Rear
Via Ford Media

But, there is little need to look elsewhere, the F-150 Raptor does everything with ease. And it's about to get even better, too. For 2023, Ford is introducing a 5.2-liter V8 like you get in the GT500, only detuned to a mere 700 hp.

7 Why We'd Buy An American Car Over European Models: American Sports Cars

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - Front
Via Chevrolet Media

Until recently, gearheads craving a mid-engined sports car needed to look at imports. That all changed in 2020 with the arrival of the latest Corvette. The change of engine location has improved weight distribution and handling. Yet, the biggest benefit is a welcome acceptance to the supercar club.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - Rear
Via Chevrolet Media

Kicking off with a 495 hp mid-mounted V8 was only the beginning. In 2023, the Z06 name makes a comeback promising a more powerful V8 delivering up a Ferrari-worrying 670 hp. The extra horses in pre-launch testing translate to a 0-60 mph time of 2.6-seconds. Ferrari who?

6 Why We'd Buy An American Car Over European Models: American EVs

Tesla Model Y - Front
Via Tesla

Tesla is fast becoming a byword for EVs in the same sense every vacuum cleaner is a Hoover. Love or hate them, Teslas are here to stay. Good, but not quite perfect, Tesla's strongest selling point is their pricing. At the entry level, a Model 3 lists for $57,000 and is also still able to beat most sports cars in a drag race.

Tesla Model S - Side
Via Tesla

Outside the U.S., only Volkswagen and China's BYD offer any serious competition. Given the Elon Musk's 3 million plus sales, Tesla is, for the time being, the best affordable volume EV.

RELATED: Editors Pick: 5 Things We Love About Tesla

5 Why We Prefer European Models: European Luxury Limos

Rolls-Royve Phantom - Front
Via Rolls-Royce

For sheer opulence, any Rolls-Royce commands attention with its elegant looks. On the inside is where the real wow factor is, rivaling any first class airline seat. The Rolls-Royce experience begins with a tailor made specification that has no limits. If gearheads can imagine it, Rolls-Royce will build it for a price.

Rolls-Royce Phantom - Interior
Rolls-Royce

The arrival of BMW's money transformed Rolls-Royce from luxury barge to executive express. Put your foot down in the Phantom and the 5,700 lb limo surges forward quicker than you'd expect. Powered by a BMW twin turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 cranking out 53 hp, the Rolls hits 60 mph in 4.6-seconds.

4 Why We Prefer European Models: European Track Stars

Red 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4
Porsche

Going fast in a straight line is one thing, but going quick over twisty terrain is much trickier. It's a specialty honed on European circuits that lead to the evolution of ever faster cars. The Nürburgring is where every serious carmaker puts their latest models to the test.

Porsche 718 Caymna GT4 - Rear
Porsche

Yet, it’s not power that sets the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 apart from its U.S. peers. In a face off with Dodge's Hellcat Redeye, the Porsche's 414 hp seems underwhelming. But, factor in a weight difference of 1,300 lbs, and it is the 714 Cayman that comes out on top.

3 Why We Prefer European Models: European 4x4s

Land Rover Defender V8 - Front
Via Land Rover

The Defender is back, albeit wearing a more upmarket body and interior. But, don't let the Range Rover-esque makeover fool you into thinking Land Rover has gone soft. Swapping to unitary construction has improved ride comfort without affecting the off-road ability. If anything, it's better than ever.

Land Rover Defender V8 - Rear
Via Land Rover

We’d skip over the base four-cylinder, instead opting for the 3.0-liter supercharged V6. At the top end, for gearheads with deeper pockets, Land Rover offers a supercharged V8 cranking out 518 hp.

2 Why We Prefer European Models: European Super SUVs

Aston Martin DBX707 - Front
Aston Martin

We loathe to say it, but the current trend of sports car makers turning out hot SUVs is tempting. Who wouldn't want a high riding, family carrying SUVs knocking on the doors of 200 mph? Lamborghini, until recently, held the fastest SUV tag at 190 mph. But, brushing the Italian aside comes Aston Martin's DBX707 at 193 mph.

Aston Martin DBX707 - Rear
Via Aston Martin

Powered by AMGs twin turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, the DBX707 boasts 697 hp and 663 ft lbs of torque. Impressive as it is, Ferrari looks set to steal the DBX707's thunder with their Purosangue. Due in 2023, the Ferrari packs a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 pumping out 715 hp.

RELATED: These Are the Fastest SUVs On The Planet

1 Why We Prefer European Models: European Pocket Sports Cars

Audi RS3 Sportback - Front
via Audi

Hot hatches are perfect for gearheads on a budget. Born in the late '70s, these pocket rockets proved smaller could be better. The golden era might be over, but hot hatches are here to stay and making inroads into sports car territory.

Audi RS3 sportback
Via Audi Media

Audi's latest RS3 has more in common with its bigger performance cars. Included in the hot hatch package, you get a 2.5-liter 401 hp four-cylinder engine capable of 60 mph in 3.3-seconds. But, this isn't a case of big engines in a small car, the RS3 is full of clever gadgets to maximize performance.