Favorite Rides
The car world is changing fast, and some familiar names are quietly fading away. Sedans, coupes, and even sporty crossovers are hitting the end of the line, leaving fans to say goodbye. Some cars struggled against shifting tastes, others against technology or regulations. Either way, the models that once turned heads will soon be memories. Let’s take a closer look at 20 such automobiles.
1. Acura TLX
The TLX's 355-horsepower Type S variant was a final love letter to Acura's performance roots, outpacing rivals in acceleration tests before quietly exiting stage left. Production wrapped in late 2025 with no 2026 model planned, as Acura pivots hard toward SUVs and electrification.
Coolomon Tetris (also known as CoolT) on Wikimedia
2. Audi A4
Over 7 million A4s rolled off assembly lines globally since 1994, but that impressive legacy couldn't stop the inevitable. Production ceased after 2025 as Audi reshuffled its naming strategy, replacing the A4 with the A5 in a scheme reserving even numbers for gas models.
3. Audi Q8 E-tron
Audi's Brussels factory closed its doors on the Q8 e-tron in 2025, retooling for next-generation EVs as demand softened across the electric landscape. Despite offering a respectable 285-mile range, the SUV suffered from lackluster satisfaction ratings and fierce competition from newer electric contenders.
4. BMW X4
Nicknamed the "baby X6," the X4's sloping roofline turned heads and carved out a niche for drivers who valued style over practicality. BMW pulled the plug after 2025 to streamline an SUV lineup that had ballooned to over a dozen models.
5. BMW 8 Series
High costs exceeding $100,000 and brutal competition from performance SUVs like the X5 M doomed the 8 Series before it could find its footing, with annual sales limping below 5,000 units. The M8 Competition's monstrous 617-horsepower V8 delivered sub-3-second 0–60 mph blasts.
6. Cadillac XT4
The XT4's variable valve lift engine earned it an affectionate "pocket rocket" status among fans who appreciated its blend of efficiency and pep, but that charm couldn't save it from the chopping block. Its discontinuation in the U.S. supports Cadillac's ambitious all-EV goal by 2030.
7. Cadillac XT6
GM confirmed that gas‑powered XT6 production will end in North America by late 2025 as Cadillac shifts toward an all‑electric lineup. The Cadillac XT6 struggles to stand out in a crowded luxury SUV market. Its boxy design and high price make it less appealing.
8. Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet's Fairfax plant retooling for EVs spelled doom for the Malibu, which built its final sedan in November 2025. Its exit leaves only the Corvette representing Chevrolet's passenger car heritage, reflecting harsh industry reality where sedans now account for under 20% of sales.
9. Ford Escape
Apparently, the brand’s Louisville plant conversion to EV production sealed the Escape's fate in late 2025, leaving only limited inventory trickling into showrooms through early 2026. The model reportedly failed to meet emissions compliance in strict states for 2026.
10. Dodge Hornet
Dodge indefinitely paused production after 2025, caught off guard by tariffs on the Italian-built platform it shared with Alfa Romeo. This was an Achilles' heel for a model already facing modest sales and prices above $30,000.
11. Infiniti QX50
Infiniti's innovative VC-Turbo engine could switch compression ratios like a mechanical chameleon. Despite this technological wizardry and status as the brand's second-best seller, the QX50 lagged behind luxury rivals in tech features and driving dynamics, watching sales decline as competitors surged ahead.
12. Infiniti QX55
Launched in 2022 with swoopy lines evoking the old FX series, the QX55 was Infiniti's stylish rebel—a coupe-style variant of the QX50 that prioritized head-turning looks over everyday practicality. That bold styling gamble backfired spectacularly, failing to gain traction in the market.
JustAnotherCarDesigner on Wikimedia
13. Volvo S60
The Volvo S60 compact executive sedan has been discontinued in the U.S. after the 2025 model year. Production at its South Carolina plant ended to make room for models like the EX90. Sales of the S60 have lagged significantly behind Volvo’s SUVs.
14. Kia Soul
Kia ended production after 2025 as sales dropped to a third of the model's 2016 peak, eclipsed by the Seltos and Niro in consumer preference. The Soul's affordability starting under $20,000 had been its calling card, but even budget-conscious buyers abandoned it.
15. Lexus RC
The RC F's 472-horsepower V8 roared like an untamed beast, earning track-day fame as Lexus's affordable adrenaline machine that could hang with far pricier European competitors. U.S. sales cratering below 2,000 units in 2024 made the business case impossible.
16. Nissan Altima
A staple of American driveways since 1993, with millions sold over three decades, the Altima's discontinuation after 2025 leaves Nissan absent from the midsize sedan segment. Sales declined 15% in 2024 despite Nissan's efforts to differentiate with available AWD and VC-Turbo engine options.
17. Nissan Versa
This car’s spacious interior defied its diminutive exterior dimensions, earning affectionate "TARDIS on wheels" nicknames from thrifty owners. As America's cheapest new car priced under $18,000, it ended production after 2025 due to razor-thin profit margins and evaporating entry-level demand.
18. Porsche 718 Boxster
Since debuting in 1996, the Boxster evolved from air-cooled roots into a mid-engine marvel that delivered what enthusiasts called "rich driving joy" at "poor man's Porsche" pricing. Porsche discontinued the gas-powered 718 Boxster after 2025, transitioning toward an electric version.
19. Porsche 718 Cayman
Often outperforming the far pricier 911 on racetracks, the Cayman was Porsche's worst-kept secret weapon. The 718 Cayman mirrors the Boxster's fate precisely, discontinued after 2025 for an electric successor driven by cybersecurity regulations and Porsche's broader electrification push.
20. Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy midsize sedan has officially been discontinued after the 2025 model year as Subaru ends production at its Lafayette, Indiana, plant, marking the end of a 36‑year run. The decision stems from weak sales and a strategic shift toward SUVs.
