Scion tC
Prior to Toyota’s announcement that they are getting rid of the Scion brand, the company had already disclosed that they were planning on discontinuing the Scion tC after the 2016 model year.
The compact sport coupe was introduced to the U.S. market in 2004 and only received two generations of design during its lifespan, though it did receive a facelift in 2014 and again in 2016. The facelifts made previously optional equipment like a rear windshield wiper and a leather-wrapped shift knob standard.
The Scion tC accounted for over 16,000 of the brand’s sales in 2016, but became a victim of the Toyota absorption when the automaker decided to keep other coupe and sedan options instead.
Cadillac ELR
Despite a $10,000 price cut from the 2015 model year to 2016, buyers were not interested in Cadillac’s luxury plug-in hybrid. Because of this, production of the Cadillac ELR stopped in February 2016.
The automaker sold just 2,697 ELRs in the United States during its four-year model lifespan, the equivalent of just 48 hours of sales for the Toyota Camry. Critics cite the ELR’s high price tag ($75,000 before incentives for the 2015 model) as one of the biggest factors for its low sales numbers. The ELR’s top speed of 106 mph likely didn’t sway many buyers to purchase either.
Chrysler Town & Country
Five generations of the Chrysler Town & Country have served U.S. families well since 1989. But it has come time to say goodbye as Chrysler turns its focus to the all-new 2017 Pacifica.
The model has sold well throughout its lifespan, lending a number of innovations to the minivan industry including captain’s chairs for second row seating, Easy-Out Roller Seats, Stow 'n Go seating, and Swivel 'n Go captain’s chairs. The Pacifica design team carried over many of these innovations into its 2017 model.
The Town & Country was last redesigned in 2008 and all 2016 models are carryovers from the 2015 model year.
Hyundai Equus
As Hyundai looks to launch their new luxury brand, the Equus bows out of the Hyundai lineup, only to be reinvented as the Genesis G90. Hyundai is hoping the Genesis G90 can compete with other luxury flagship sedans.
The brand is touting its latest technological innovations as part of the G90 design, including 22-way adjustable seats, a V6 or V8 engine option, advanced available HTRAC all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, a multi-view camera, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning with lane keep assist. The G90 will also feature real wood and fine leather accents.
The Genesis G90 is expected to go on sale in late 2016.
Scion FR-S
You don’t have to say, “goodbye,” but rather, “see you later.” The Scion FR-S name will go away at the end of this year, but its design will remain when it is rebadged as the Toyota 86.
The two-plus-two coupe was developed by Subaru and Toyota, and then sold as both the Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ with only slightly different tuning and interior aesthetics. The car features a horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine from Subaru and a rear-wheel drive drivetrain.
Sales of the FR-S topped 10,000 in 2015. Toyota is hoping to top that after the name change by giving the Toyota 86 a fresh front end design, new interior features, and LED lighting.
Dodge Grand Caravan
Like its Chrysler Town & Country counterpart, the Dodge Grand Caravan will cease production in 2016 in favor of the Pacifica. One of the originals of the minivan segment, it debuted in 1984 and has enjoyed a 32-year run.
Throughout its lifespan, the Dodge Grand Caravan has been sold under a variety of names including the Plymouth Voyager, Chrysler Town & Country, and a badge-engineered version sold through Volkswagen known as the Routan. Many of the minivan innovations pioneered by Dodge were also available in these models.
Despite its age, sales of the Grand Caravan have remained strong, selling over 500,000 units since 2013.
Honda CR-Z
With its 800 percent drop in sales since 2011, it’s no wonder that Honda is killing off the CR-Z in favor of its Accord Hybrid and Clarity. Marketed as a sporty hybrid-coupe, the CR-Z will have enjoyed a six-year run in the U.S. when it wraps up production this year.
Originally designed as a successor to the Honda CR-X, the CR-Z offered drivers a hybrid drivetrain that provided 35 mpg in the city and 39 on the highway with the CVT, lower than the CR-X it replaced. Despite its pricing of around $20,000, the CR-Z never sold as well as the segment-leading Toyota Prius.
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7 Cars Who Hang ‘em Up After 2016
There are a number of vehicles on dealer lots today that won’t see a 2017 model year. At the end of 2016 brands will bid a fond farewell to cars, SUVs, and crossovers that have been slowly losing buyers’ interest on the lot.
Some vehicles are being discontinued to make room for new models coming to the market, while others are being reinvented as part of a new brand or incorporated into an already existing brand.
There are rumors that other vehicles, such as the Chrysler 200, could join this list before the year is out. Other vehicles, like the Jeep Compass, will likely hold on for at least one more year.