The automotive landscape is undergoing a notable transformation as numerous vehicle models, encompassing both cars and sport utility vehicles, are set to exit the market by the 2026 model year. This development highlights a continuing trend where consumer tastes are gravitating away from traditional sedans and towards the versatility and elevated driving position offered by SUVs. While some departing models have not achieved widespread commercial success, others, like a multi-time '10Best' award recipient, represent significant losses to their respective segments. This change signals a pivotal moment for car manufacturers, who are realigning their offerings to meet shifting demand, potentially creating unique opportunities for buyers seeking to acquire these soon-to-be-discontinued vehicles.
Among the vehicles facing discontinuation, the Acura TLX is notable, as its departure signifies the end of a dedicated luxury sedan for Acura, a first since the brand's inception. This move follows the earlier discontinuation of the RLX and RL, signaling a definitive shift in Acura's lineup towards SUVs, with only the Integra liftback remaining as a car offering. Similarly, the Audi A4, a long-standing fixture since the 1990s, will be replaced by the A5, which will now be exclusively a four-door liftback, marking the end of the A4 Allroad wagon. This decision by Audi was initially tied to a revised naming convention separating electric and gasoline models, a strategy later reconsidered, leaving some uncertainty about future A4 iterations. The Audi Q8 e-tron, a battery-electric SUV, also faces the axe, with its production factory in Belgium closing and no immediate replacement announced, despite a previous name change from the simpler 'e-tron'.
Cadillac's lineup is also seeing significant changes, with both the XT4 and XT6 SUVs being discontinued. The XT4, a compact SUV, concluded its seven-year run with production ending earlier this year, making way for the revitalized 2027 Chevrolet Bolt and supplementing Equinox production. The XT6, a mid-size three-row SUV, had a shorter six-year lifespan, informally replaced by the more premium, all-electric Vistiq. General Motors' shift reflects a broader industry movement towards electrification and larger utility vehicles. Chevrolet's Malibu sedan will also cease production after the 2025 model year, leaving the brand without a single sedan in the U.S. market, apart from the two-seat Corvette, emphasizing a complete focus on trucks and SUVs.
Infiniti will bid farewell to both its QX50 and QX55 models by the end of the 2025 model year. The QX50, despite featuring an innovative variable compression engine and being Infiniti's second-best-selling model in 2024, is being discontinued without a direct replacement, creating a void in their luxury SUV offerings. The QX55, a liftback variant of the QX50, shares the same fate. Infiniti's future focus appears to be on the three-row QX60 and its upcoming liftback counterpart, the QX65. Lexus is also ending production of its RC coupe, including the high-performance RC F, by the close of the 2025 model year. This decision comes as no surprise given the declining sales of the RC, and while the V-8 powered RC F offered a thrilling driving experience, the entire RC line will soon be a relic.
The Polestar 2, an electric liftback, is also reaching its end despite its Chinese origins facing a 100 percent tariff, with Polestar shifting its focus to the Polestar 3 and 4 SUVs. A particularly poignant loss for enthusiasts is the Porsche 718 Boxster convertible and Cayman coupe, both highly acclaimed, which will be discontinued by the end of 2025. While an electric successor is planned, it is still some years away, leaving the high-priced 911 as Porsche's sole dedicated sports car. Subaru's Legacy sedan, after seven generations dating back to 1989, is also being retired due to dwindling interest in sedans, though its closely related Outback will continue, embracing a more SUV-like design. Finally, the Toyota bZ4X electric SUV will undergo a name change to simply 'bZ' for 2026, receiving significant updates including increased power, revised styling, and a greater estimated range, effectively ending the bZ4X designation but continuing the model's lineage with improvements. The Volvo S60 and S90 sedans are also being discontinued by 2025. The S60, after nearly 25 years and three generations, will simply cease to exist in Volvo's lineup, with no plans for a comeback to the U.S. market given the low demand for sedans. The Chinese-built Volvo S90, the brand's flagship sedan, is falling victim to trade tensions and tariffs, marking the end of its resurrected run since 2017.
The automotive industry's dynamic nature is clearly reflected in the upcoming discontinuation of these various models by 2026. This extensive roster of vehicles, from sedans to SUVs and electric cars, illustrates a significant realignment of manufacturers' strategies. The primary drivers behind these changes include shifting consumer preferences, production complexities, and evolving market regulations. As the industry continues its march toward electrification and larger vehicle formats, the departure of these models serves as a clear indication of a new era in automotive design and consumer choice.
