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.
I am an American. I think big, not small like most Europeans. If I wanted to drive small cars I could move to the orient.
It is sad that striving to be the best is no longer acceptable.
Me either. Strictly a General Motors owner and fan for the last 55 years.
The Ford GT is the only American vehicle that has beat Ferrari at Le Mans (more than once) in both iterations.
It shows how American technology, intellect and tenacity has the ability to win everywhere. It will truly be missed. (And recall, Ford was the only auto company not to take taxpayer bailout money to avoid failing.)
Ford eventually did take money. They did repay the bailout. Do your research.
those were loans that were paid back
Yup, that’s what a ‘loan’ means – and the government made sure that they would get their money back from GM, regardless of GM’s bankruptcy filing.
Ask any stockholder of the ‘old GM stock’ if they got their money back.. And – No, I was not a stockholder of GM, but I did have ‘F’ (Ford).
The Buick Encore sold really well, I had a friend who had a couple of them and he said they were really nice cars. Why spend $6000 more? Because they were more comfortable, and better appointed than the Trax. the Encore name will live on as the Encore GX which is just a tad bigger than the Encore.
I still miss a full-sized Cadillac in 2dr, 4dr, and convertible with a nice smooth V8 geared for lazy high milage cruising across country and jaunts from New york to Miami.
The second gem Ford GT was attainable….well at $150k, semi affordable. There was (is) one that lived a couple of miles away,
I’d see it occasionally.
The new one? Well aside from a Ford display at Barrett-Jackson, I have never seen one.
I did get a ride in one at the Ford VIP tent, but when you price something that high, you aren’t going to sell that many. (Thank you Captain Obvious).
Now Ford needs to dust off the body tooling for generation II and figure out a way to put it on the ’23 Mustang/Camaro look alike.
I’ll throw my hat in the Ford GT and Aventador ring with the others. The rest…meh…
Recently bought an Envision, which is also ‘badge engineered’, based on the Equinox I believe. And the Cadillac is a version of the Buick, etc. All the brands do it until the profits drop – with the Encore GX selling well, the Encore was destined to be a goner. We love our Envision, even as we wait for the heated seats to arrive… in a cold snap… *sigh*
They still make the Insight? What a miserable, hateful car.
I didn’t even know the Spark was still in production. My wife had the Aveo which was what the Spark evolved from and although it was more appliance than car it got the job of basic transportation done.
Basic transport appliances have come a long way from Pintos, Chevettes, Vegas, and Omnies, although teh Corolla just improved instead of dying. Todays basic transport appliances are actually reliable and while we love to hate them for the utility boxes they are, without them many of the cars we actually know and love would be relegated to daily driver duty where they would wear out from use.
That said, my next appliance is going to likely be a Bolt, the third iteration of Aveo and Spark.
I have a “fleet” of vehicles, old to new……big trucks included. My daily needs to be small and fuel efficient for my long commute. This past summer I bought a new 5 speed Versa. Third cheapest new car you can buy behind the Spark and Mirage.
It looks the best of the three cheap cars and does the job with many more standard features than an entry level cars had when I was young. At 70 it’s probably my last new vehicle. I sure don’t need a 4wd pickup or SUV to drive to work every day.
I have three Whizzer motorbikes. Engines were designed in 1936. They get 120 MPG if you don’t mess around with them. One of mine will go freeway speeds just not with me on it. LOL!
Agreed Ford GT and Aventador!
“Everybody wants an SUV” No, that’s what the companies have decided we should have. Your own staff wrote about this, and that the Japanese were only offered the micro vehicles. When they partially listen to us, we get the New Maverick.
I’ll put a word in for the Spark. It’s light and simple at just under 2200lbs, the 16 valve engine is smooth and quiet, and with the 5 speed manual it’s fun to drive. I mostly run around town in mine but have also taken long road trips in it. From an engineering and design perspective, this world car hit the mark. It does what it was designed to do. It reminds me of an older car with its crank windows and simple controls and it’s so toss-able I can pretend to be Pentti Airikkala in the DTV Chevette on a special stage between the hardware store and the supermarket – it even has a trip timer! I have several older classics and enjoy them as well but for inexpensive trouble free fun and supermarket parking lots the spark delivers