Car companies have been known to discontinue models or sometimes even entire lineups of cars. The reasons for doing so include poor sales numbers, too many recalls, the technology in the car being too old, and sometimes just because the car is pathetic.
For 2021, many car companies have promised to try and go green, with those who can’t go all green settling for hybrid power options. Two-door coupes and four-door sedans are faced with extinction in 2021 because there is an increased demand for economy crossover vehicles. Let us take a quick look at ten cars that are discontinued for 2021.
10 BMW i8
BMW's cars are popular for their luxury flare and high-performance. When the BMW i8 debuted in 2015, this compact hybrid supercar quickly gained popularity amongst BMW enthusiasts. The i8 is powered by a Lilliputian 1.5-liter, three-cylinder internal combustion engine that is paired with a battery pack and electric motors. This powertrain has a power output of 369 horsepower.
This beautiful German sports car was featured in the Hollywood movie Mission Impossible, being driven by the movie’s star Tom Cruise. Although many are disappointed with the news of BMW discontinuing the i8 in 2021, BMW promises that the cars lined up for 2021 will be better.
9 Cadillac CT6
Cadillac is one of America’s longest-running car companies. Brand names like Fleetwood, DeVille, and Seville still resonate with the American car culture. Cadillac vehicles were a status symbol that represented privilege, prestige, and class.
The Cadillac CT6, however, doesn’t live up to the standards set by its predecessor. This four-door sedan is powered by a 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged DOHC Blackwing V8 engine that pushes out 550 horsepower. With the low sales numbers, it's no surprise that Cadillac has put an end to this nightmare.
8 Chevrolet Sonic
Chevrolet is known for its powerful muscle cars and trucks. However, occasionally, this American car company tries something new. In 2012, Chevrolet unveiled the Chevrolet Sonic -a tiny two-door four-seater car. The Sonic is powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that pushes 138 horsepower.
This car is not for anyone who craves power and speed, but it does make for a good first car for teenagers. Chevrolet has discontinued this car for 2021 and is replacing it with an all-electric tiny car called Bolt.
7 Dodge Grand Caravan
The Dodge Grand Caravan is an evolution of a dainty American minivan that has morphed into a passenger van and a cargo van. The fifth-generation Dodge Caravan was unveiled in 2008 and by 2010, the symptoms of an old school minivan started creeping in.
The Dodge Grand Caravan is a vehicle that seems to be still stuck in the past. This has reduced it to a box with an engine. The engine in this van is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that has a power output rating of 283 horsepower.
6 Dodge Journey
SUVs and compact SUVs are currently the best-selling vehicles in the market. Many car manufacturers are fighting to dominate this market space. At the peak of the SUV era, Dodge has decided to put the Dodge Journey out of its misery. Unlike other powerful modern SUVs with superior off-road capabilities, the Dodge Journey is more of a minivan than it is an SUV.
This American vehicle is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that has a maximum output of 173 horsepower. With these numbers, it is clear that the Dodge Journey doesn’t have the capability and capacity to go up against its competitors.
5 Ford Fusion
Ford sedans don’t have that much of an impact compared to its trucks and muscle cars. Thus, it is official that from 2021, Ford will no longer be producing sedans. As disappointing as this news may be, sedans like the Fairmont, Crown Victoria, Taurus, and hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus will always have a place in the history books.
The Ford Fusion is the last sedan from Ford and there are those who find this to be good news. In the last year, Ford sold 166,000 units of the Fusion, with no repeat customers. This car saw people opt to buy the Chevrolet Equinox.
4 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 And GT350R
The Ford Mustang is the most popular American car in the world. The Mustang introduced the world to affordable high-performance muscle cars. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and the GT350R are icons whose engine rumbles brought life to tracks and streets. Ford is discontinuing these beautiful ponies to focus its efforts on the supercharged GT500.
The discontinuing of the GT350 and the GT350R marks the end of an era for manual transmission Ford Mustang Shelby cars. It is sad to see this icon’s era come to an end. We will miss having supercars on a budget.
3 Honda Civic Si And Civic Coupe
Honda built the Honda Civic to be the fad of a compact sports car. While this was cool in the late 1990s, nobody wants this car today.
Honda has tried putting a spin on the Civic and that is what led to the birth of the Civic Si and the Civic coupe. Despite Honda’s effort to give the Civic the edgiest looks, the tenth generation has not managed to keep the candle burning. Honda has promised to bring back the Civic Si as a sedan and a hatchback in 2022. For now, all their efforts are directed to the Civic Type R.
2 Lexus GS
Lexus is Toyota’s luxury flagship nameplate. The Lexus GS is the middle child, coming between the front-wheel-drive ES and the rear-wheel-drive LS.
The Lexus GS made its debut in 1993 and was sold as an upgraded version of the Toyota Aristo. The Lexus GS comes available with two drivetrain options, a rear-wheel drive, and an all-wheel-drive drive train. Only 200 units of the latest Lexus GS 350 have been made and are currently being sold in the United States as Black Line Gs Fs edition cars.
1 Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is like a cat with nine lives. This car has survived the treacherous road of discontinuity one too many times.
The Lincoln Continental was unveiled in 1938 only for it to be discontinued in 1948. In 1956, it was revived only to be discontinued in 2002. In 2016, the Lincoln Continental was brought back. If the past records are anything to go by, this is not the last we will see of this American land yacht. The Continental will return to the production line, and we will be waiting.