5 cars we’ll miss in 2023—and 5 we won’t
It’s the end of the road for 2022, and the same can be said for a number of cars that won’t make it into 2023. Tears well up in our in eyes for some models, whose life expectancy we’d love to see extended, but it’s good riddance to those which outstayed their welcome. Here’s five of each and we’d love to hear which cars you think should be axed or given a stay of execution in 2023.
We’ll miss
Ford GT
Ford’s second-generation GT (arguably third generation if you include the O.G. GT40) launched in 2016 and has therefore had three times the run of its predecessor, although it only achieved around a quarter of the sales. This GT was, however, a far more sophisticated machine, with a price tag to match. We’ve loved the special edition tributes to past racing prowess and have been awed by the final track-only MkIV. It’s unlikely we’ll see its like again.
Lamborghini Aventador
After 11 years in the Lamborghini brochure, the Aventador is no longer for sale. It marks the end of the pure V-12 era for the Raging Bull. Any future double-six will be hybridized, and while that will doubtless make it even faster and more efficient, something will be irreplaceably altered in the soul of Lamborghini.
Hyundai Veloster N
The Veloster was a key step on the path to Hyundai’s total re-invention. This cool hatchback, with its weird three-door configuration, demonstrated that the South Korean company could do a fun and thrilling sports car. In ultimate N guise with 275 hp and Nürburgring-fettled handling, it was a cracking canyon carver. Sadly, customer demands and Hyundai’s pivot to electrification signed its death certificate. “The Veloster N was one of the great hot hatches of our time—indeed, of any age,” said our own Sam Smith. RIP.
VW Passat
As crossovers and SUVs continue to kill off the traditional sedan, VW has quietly removed the Passat from sale. It’s true that VW hasn’t completely given up on the format with the dapper Arteon and more affordable Jetta remaining, but the Passat is a victim of range rationalization as consumer choices change. It’s sad for a nameplate with a 50-year history to be dispatched without fanfare.
Chevrolet Spark
Inexpensive, honest transportation. That’s what the Chevy Spark has offered since the turn of the 21st century. It was yours for less than $15,000 even in its final iteration, but times have changed. These days everybody wants an SUV and the diminutive Spark was dwarfed by almost everything else on the road. The words cheap, light, and small just don’t figure in today’s buyers’ vocabulary. More’s the pity.
We won’t miss
Lamborghini Countach
The brief revival of one of the most memorable names in Lamborghini history turned out to be little more than a cynical design device to cash in on collectors. This was not a proper new Countach, but a re-skinned Siàn, which, in turn, was based on the Aventador. Only 82 were made and, since they’ll all probably be locked away in private collections anyway, we’re glad it’s been and gone already.
Acura NSX
In fairness, the Acura NSX had an awful lot to live up to. The original car was light and lithe, had the input of Ayrton Senna in its chassis and is still, arguably, Japan’s greatest sports car. The hybrid replacement designed and built in the U.S.A. didn’t really stand a chance. It was hit by indecision and delay during its design process and, despite being objectively capable enough, it just couldn’t generate the kind of excitement that the nameplate deserves. If a third generation ever arrives, let’s hope lessons have been learned.
Buick Encore SUV
The badge-engineered Buick Encore always begged the question, why pay $6000 more than a Chevy Trax? Of course, there was also the question of why to buy one at all. Even Buick seemed to suggest it was a miserable experience, presenting the car on its website in a dull drizzle. That just about sums up the Encore and why we’re glad it’s now departed.
Honda Insight
Doubling down on Honda’s missed opportunities is the most recent Insight. The turtle-like first-generation Insight was a truly innovative, weirdly sporty hybrid two-seater that sipped fuel at the rate of 70 mpg. The car that carried the name forward was essentially just a Civic Hybrid in new clothes. Poor show, Honda.
Mercedes A-Class
Mercedes went somewhat mad for a time, introducing so many models and body variations that cannibalization in the range was rampant. The A-Class was a perfect example, which when compared to the CLA, just wasn’t as desirable. It won’t be missed.
As much as I like Dodge Challengers and was looking forward to the repops in 2008, I was just as disappointed that they were the size of a full size C Body Fury, looked bloated, weighed over 4000 pounds and I couldn’t find much in common with the original classics other than looks from a distance. Something smaller, sportier, better handling and more efficient would have been more desirable. There are now many more repops than originals.
I won’t miss any of those 10 cars. I’m old-school, I just like the old vintage cars. Give me the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s. Also there are very few foreign cars that you would ever see me driving. I had two MGTD’s. One a 51 and the other a 53.
Cannot agree more. Most I could not afford the rest could care less. I am the 50’s 60’s guy but own an 87 MC SS G Body…still gets lots of looks.
I agree! I will stick with my 50’s vehicles
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Two MGTDs? Is that like … Two for the Road?
The trouble with living in the past, is that there is no future in it.
Well said!
I feel a lot more like I do now than I did a little while ago..
The saddest part about the NSX was its price. early info on the car had whisper numbers form the high 70’s early on. that climbed and, i think its appeal took a dive. At $70k it would have been a good car and more popular, but at over $160k there are many, much better cars out there (C8 Vette for one).
Or a three year old CPO Porsche 911 turbo.
Miss Ford GT and Aventador. The rest no big deal. But too bad NSX was a big flop.
A little harsh on the Encore. We bought one in 2018 during a pretty strong GM rebate program, and got a fully loaded, nice little AWD for 22k. Its been relatively problem free since then and although a little underpowered, its comfortable and gets good mpg. Don’t be so quick to celebrate the demise of affordable cars.
Agreed…we have one too and it’s affordable and problem free. As far as the other cars go…not in my range of interest.
Same for me! I consider the Encore the best car I’ve ever owned. Not a single problem. The right size! AWD, 32mpg and worth the extra money for the quiet and smooth ride quality. Something everyone seems to have abandoned these days as well as common sense. A photo. taken in the drizzle is your reasoning? Really?
Owning a 95 NSX, I still remember going to the dealer in the late 90s with an idea – Since Soichiro Honda had decreed that cars didn’t need V8s or super/turbocharging, why not put electric motors on the front ends of a new car? When the US NSX showed up I was intrigued. What killed it for me was seeing one sans body at an LA Auto Show. What a disappointment? Lots of ugly welds on a rough steel frame with electrical wiring and components hanging all over. Good news – With Soichiro Honda no longer among the living, adding twin turbos to the V6 was no longer an issue.
I have not even sat in, much less driven, any of these cars. I am conscious of having seen a Veloster, a Spark, an Encore, and an Insight (and proooooobably an A-Class). I would not want to own any of them, neither the ones that might be missed nor the ones that will not be missed. Well, I suppose I would accept an Aventador or an NSX if someone were to leave me one in their will, but only to sell it. I might miss a Synchro manual supercharged W12 Passat R wagon, if such a beast had existed.
One nice aspect of the Spark was all the curious colors it came in.
And…… https://jalopnik.com/please-buy-this-supercharged-awd-manual-vw-passat-wagon-1843425006
As a person who easily can make a quality vehicle last 20 years I was looking forward to the insight as my next vehicle.What a bummer 😕
Hi Steve, Well, if you decide to buy the older two door model, I’ve had one since it was new in 2005, now has nearly 140,000 miles on it, runs like a champ, becoming increasingly rarer, and gets lots of looks and comments. I have a few good service comments I could pass on to you gladly if you are interested.
Jim
I have an insight. Great car, have had 0 problems and gets great mileage. I’ve gotten as high as 60. Also, not that it’s a sports car but it so much faster than the Prius. I’ve had both and hands down the insight is better and you don’t pay the dork penalty in the looks department with the car.
I have a 1995 NSX-T which I bought new and have driven over 160,000 trouble free miles. If the second generation NSX had been made in a Targa or convertible with a 6speed manual. a naturally aspirated 400HP motor and rear wheel drive along with a price below $100K, I think they would have been the proper successor to my car and would have sold well.
Agreed! But in a 1995 size range.
Americans need to take a page from Europe and buy small, relatively affordable cars that get good mileage for daily drivers. Didn’t $5/gallon gas teach anything? If you need the size DAILY, get something bigger. Most do not need AWD 6000 lb. road hogs. Don’t care about super cars for the uber-wealthy. Some people just have too much money.
Why do we NEED to do something because you don’t like them?
Freedom is the difference between the USA and Europe.
In true European fashion you give a pass to the wealthy.
$5/gallon taught me that meddling politicians who are trying to score political points should stay out of the energy market. It also taught me that $5/ gallon for fuel is a bargain compared to $7 for 22 oz of coffee.
If $5/gallon fuel is a major impact to your life you either: live too far from where you work, have too many other debts/expenses, or you need to increase your price structure.
Did we feel it? Yes. But the ROI on a small car is LONG at $5/gallon, barely worth it at $10. BTW, all my old cars use $10-15/ gallon race fuel and my commuter is a diesel truck. So I e free ally couldn’t care less about the price of fuel.
As always, you’re mileage (and safety) may vary.
That pesky free market always getting in the way of the European Utopia.
After 53 years, I still miss the Chevrolet Corvair. Imagine what GM could have done with this format as an EV.
Yes, I AM old, OLD school!
That’s actually an interesting idea. Sadly, GM is more interested in selling expensive large trucks and SUVs. They whiffed on the Blazer, so don’t expect them to so anything cool like an EV Corvair.
I’m probably the Lone Ranger when I say I will miss the Ford Transit Connect that has been around for several years (now being replaced by a VW clone). Great small wagon or work van that often runs 2-300k miles, with good mpg. We bought a new one to carry our dogs to Agility shows. Along with my ’67 Olds Toronado, these may be our “Forever Cars”.
Do you remember the Electrovair II? It was a 67 Corvair 4 door powered by an electric motor. Unlike new electrics, the old-tech batteries took up all the available storage space, both front and rear. With electronics in their infancy, it was pretty basic, but a modern version would possibly be pretty cool!
Heard that, Harry. A lot of ink wasted on most of these and a hearty WHO CARES to the rest of them.
I won’t miss any of that garbage.
The Passat has been on the decline for awhile so it might be missed by some but the Chevrolet Spark? No one should miss that penalty box.
NSX on the not missed list? I’m mixed on this. A very good car but too expensive for what it is and not really in the spirit of what the NSX was. Either way I’ll miss it over the not a Toyota Supra when that car goes away.