These sedans, coupes, SUVs and sports cars aren’t returning as 2024 models, killed off by slumping sales or because the manufacturer is moving to other versions, including hybrid or EV versions of the discontinued gas-powered one.
Since these vehicles won’t be back in 2024, it means you can get a good buy now on the 2023 models. Or wait a decade, and see these relics at swap meets.
Alphabetically – these additions to the great big parking lot of cancelled models, ranging from budget models to fast and furious high-priced droolers.
Audi R8 and TT Coupe and Convertible
It looks like Audi is getting out of the sportscar business, cancelling both its affordable and pricey vroomers.
Audi’s R8 supercar follows the equally head-turning Acura NSX into the ever growing graveyard of street-legal racecars, but the decision to drop the affordable TT line was somewhat unexpected.
The R8 ran from 2008 to 2023 on a hunky 5.2-liter V-8 loaded with 602 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, which could reach 199 mph and a racetrack-worthy 0-60 mph sprint in 3.3 seconds.
The Audi R8 was in the low six-figures, between $160,000 and $253,000.
The TT launched in 1999, joined by the coupe and the all-wheel-drive TTS and TT RS performance variants. At $50-$60,000 – depending on model – it was a reliable entry-level sports car. Maybe it just lost out to corporate sibling Porsche.
With Audi now concentrating on its e-tron EV models, maybe the R8 and/or TT will be back one day as a plug-in hybrid or pure electric. After all, Mercedes-Benz launched an EV similar to the R8 – the gull-wing i8. Oops, that’s been cancelled, too.
Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV
GM cancelled the two most affordable electric vehicles on the market in Spring 2023 because of issues with battery fires, and then un-cancelled them in Fall 2023, even though the plan was to convert the Bolt assembly lines to producing larger and more profitable Silverado EV pick-up.
Simply, it’s less expensive to fix the battery issues than introduce an entire new model line to replace the popular Bolt.
The Bolt was introduced in 2016, aimed originally at the ride-share market, but its price and sporty design caught on with budget conscious consumers. And hopefully the new and improved Bolt will have better sales.
Chrysler 300
Introduced way back in 1955, the Chrysler 300 sport sedan has had one of the longest runs in automotive history.
For 2023, its last year of production, the full-size sedan welcomed back the 300C Hemi limited edition model powered by a humongous 6.4-liter V-8 engine rated at 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque.
Production of the 2023 Chrysler 300C Hemi was limited to 2,200 units and sold at $55,000 – and it sold out.
Dodge Challenger & Dodge Charger
Chrysler parent Stellantis also is killing off sibling muscle cars Dodge Challenger which was re-introduced in 2008, also with multiple versions, like the 300, and Dodge Charger.
Dodge’s SRT performance brand churned out specialty versions of the Challenger including Hellcat, Redeye, Jailbreak, Wide Body, with your choice of a V6 or V8 engine. All history now.
The last-of-its-breed 2023 Charger King Daytona Last Call model goes out with a push-your-head-into-the-seatrest 807-hp engine and an eyeball-singing Go Mango exterior paint.
Ford Explorer Hybrid
The popular three-row SUV with the rear-wheel-drive platform lives on, but not its underachieving hybrid version.
With its 3.3-liter V-6 and an electric motor combining for 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, it had plenty of power. But it fell short in fuel efficiency, and therefore sales.
The Limited Hybrid with RWD had an EPA rating of 27/28/27 mpg. The estimated cost savings of $1,500 over five years compared to the 23-mpg combined turbo-4, according to the EPA, just wasn’t enough to kickstart sales.
Simply, that’s not worth the nearly $6,000 more the hybrid costs over the conventional ICE version, even with the extra goodies on the top Limited and Platinum trims.
By comparison, a Toyota Highlander Hybrid with AWD gets 35 mpg combined.
Ford also is killing off the Edge SUV
Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Plug-in Hybrid
Similar story. After just three years on the market (it was launched in 2020) the related Lincoln Aviator will no longer be offered as a plug-in hybrid on upscale Grand Touring trims.
It was a powerful full-size SUV, pairing paired a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 with an electric motor and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The combination sent 494 hp to all four wheels, but the 13.6-kwh battery pack only afforded only 21 miles of EPA-rated electric range. With an EPA estimate of 23mpg, it’s just 4mpg better than the plain vanilla AWD version, and therefore not worth the extra cost.
The 2024 Aviator reportedly will be powered by a sole 400-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 with rear-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive.
Ford Transit Connect
The small cargo van follows the Nissan NV200 off the grid likely in favor of the Ford E-Transit electric commercial van.
The Transit Connect is popular with small businesses, such as landscapers, and also converted into a small camper.
Jeep Cherokee
You could say the Cherokee has had a rocky road. But then so has parent Chrysler, which has been bought and sold several times since its heydey in the last mid-century.
Launched in 1974 as a two-door variant to the Wagoneer, a few years later the Cherokee shifted to a car-based platform but managed to keep its off-road vibe.
In 2002, Jeep renamed it the Liberty to distinguish it from the larger Grand Cherokee, then discontinued it entirely in favor of the new Compass and Patriot crossovers.
Jeep resurrected it in 2014 as a larger compact, but it was overshadowed by the larger Grand Cherokee, the smaller Renegade and the massive Wagoneer.
There have been quality control problems with the Cherokee along with increased opposition to the name by Native American groups, especially the Cherokee tribe.
Here’s hoping Jeep will decide to save it and rename it Liberty and the larger version as Grand Liberty. That would be a great name for a brand steeped in US military history.
Kia Rio and Kia Stinger
One a subcompact the other a full-size sedan, both history, because sedans are becoming dinosaurs as we switch to crossovers and SUVs. And Kia seems to be concentrating on EVs, including the new and well-received EV9 SUV.
The Rio subcompact sedan and hatch joins the Hyundai Accent and Chevy Spark before them.
The base Rio is under $20,000, making it an affordable model, especially with its complement of safety and comfort features not usually found at that price. It could be be replaced by the K3 or an electric car from Kia’s factory in Monterrey, Mexico.
If you still want an affordable Kia sedan, the Kia Forte is still available.
The Stinger’s last hurrah ended with a 2023 Kia Stinger Tribute Edition, limited to only 400 units in the U.S. The Tribute Edition builds off the Stinger GT2 with a 368-hp 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6, 19-inch wheels, and Brembo brake calipers.
The Stinger’s performance replacement is the 576-hp Kia EV6 GT. Clearly, a smaller brand like Kia does not need two performance sport sedans.
Mazda CX-9
The CX-9 has served Mazda well in the U.S. since its 2008 launch, but it’s been replaced by the larger, roomier and, more luxurious 2024 CX-90, Just as the CX-30 replaces the CX-3 small crossover, and eventually, the CX-50 replacing the bestselling CX-5.
So long as Mazda doesn’t touch the beloved MX-5 Miata two-passenger roadster, I’m okay with model upgrades and name changes.
Mercedes C-Class, CLS-Class and E-Class Coupe and Convertible
Known for it streamlined design, the company is seems to be streamlining its vast model roster – and vastly confusing letter-based model lines – for 2024.
The C-Class and E-Class coupes have been replaced by the new 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class .
The new CLE combines the sportiness of the C-Class Coupe and slightly larger than the E-Class Coupe. A CLE convertible is expected next year.
The coupe-like CLS-Class sedan ended production at the end of August.
Meanwhile, the E-Class is being redesigned amid a growing popularity of the company’s EQ electric sedan and crossover family
Mitsubishi Mirage and G4
Reports suggest the Mitsubishi MIrage ES hatchback and G4 sedan will be discontinued for the 2025 model year.
LIke the Chevy Spark and Hyundai Accent last year and the Kia Rio this year, the end of the Mirage marks the end of the less-than-$20,000 car.
The base 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage ES hatchback costs $17,340, including a $1,095 destination fee, and the base model G4 sedan is just $1,000 more.
So grab one while you can for a college student or other budget-conscious family member.
Nissan Maxima
There’s just no market these days for a full-size sedan, and the Maxima joins the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Challenger on the chopping block.
Also because Nissan is focusing on EVs, including the gorgeous new Ariya, which replaces the Leaf.
The Nissan Maxima has been the brand’s flagship sedan, known for its style and performance since it first launched in the 1980s.
The Maxima weathered eight generations before fading from view.
End of the Road for These Additional Models
- Alpina BMW B7
- Chevrolet Camaro Turbo
- Dodge Hellcat Models
- Ferrari F8 Tributo
- Ferrari Portofino M
- Ford Edge
- Ford Fiesta (Europe)
- Mazda CX-9
- Mazda MX-30
- McLaren 720S
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe
- Mercedes-Benz CLS
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
- Mercedes-Benz Metris
- Porsche Panamera Sport Turbo
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and a current member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
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