Credit: BMW; Toyota; Cadillac; LexusThe automotive industry is changing at a pace that few could have predicted. Stricter emissions regulations, rising development costs, electrification, and shifting consumer preferences are forcing automakers to make difficult decisions about which models deserve a future and which ones have reached the end of the road.
Unfortunately for enthusiasts, many of the cars being phased out aren’t slow sellers or uninspiring commuters. Some are genuine icons that helped define their segments, blending performance, luxury, and character in ways that newer models struggle to replicate. In several cases, there are no direct replacements waiting in the wings, making their departures even more bittersweet.
From high-performance sedans and grand tourers to beloved sports cars and convertibles, these are the models quietly heading toward retirement sooner than many people realize. If any of them are on your dream-car list, now might be the time to start paying attention.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, such as the EPA. Models are listed in alphabetical order.
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1
Audi RS7
The last in the A7 lineup gets the axe
The RS7 is the last standing bastion of the A7 family, but it will soon be going the same way as its less sporty sibling. In our eyes, there are few sports sedans out there that come as close to supercar levels of performance. As well as being incredibly powerful and razor sharp, the RS7 is equally capable of being a luxury cruiser, with a plush interior and plenty of space for both passengers and cargo. It essentially does everything well, which is why we will be so sad to see it go.
Base Trim Engine
4L V8 Hybrid
Base Trim Transmission
8-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
621 HP @6000 RPM
Base Trim Torque
627 lb.-ft. @ 2050 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
14/21/17 MPG
Base Trim Battery Type
Lithium ion (Li-ion)
Make
Audi
Model
RS7
The 2026 model year will be the last for the RS7, meaning that people in the market for a spacious and sporty liftback from Audi will have to make do with the A6 e-tron.
2
BMW Z4
We say goodbye to one of BMW’s most underrated modes
BMW is renowned for their balance between comfort and performance, with many of their sedans and SUVs being rated among the best in the world. Comparatively, the Z4 has flown a little more under the radar. The nameplate, which was introduced to replace the Z3, has run for over two decades, and the latest iteration is one of our favorite convertibles on the market.
Base Trim Engine
2L I4 ICE
Base Trim Transmission
8-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
255 HP @5000 RPM
Base Trim Torque
295 lb.-ft. @ 1500 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
25/33/28 MPG
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Make
BMW
Model
Z4 Roadster
The 2026 model will be the last for the Z4, with the sun setting on the sleek roadster. To celebrate the convertible, BMW offered a limited production Final Edition model, which comes with a unique exterior paint color and interior theme. There are currently no plans for a next generation Z4.
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3
Cadillac CT4
It was one of the greatest American sports sedans in modern times
Really, it isn’t the discontinuation of the base CT4 that we’re sad about. While the base model is a relatively decent sports sedan for the money, we think that the CT4-V Blackwing is one of the most incredible sports sedans ever built. In our minds, it better captured the essence of what a sports sedan should be than many of its rivals from Europe, delivering incredibly engaging driving dynamics. Its combination of a 473-horsepower twin-turbo V-6, rear-wheel drive, and a manual transmission make it a timeless icon in our eyes.
Base Trim Engine
3.6L V-6 ICE
Base Trim Transmission
10-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
472 HP @5750 RPM
Base Trim Torque
445 lb.-ft. @ 3500 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
15/23/18 MPG
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Make
Cadillac
Model
CT4-V Blackwing
Cadillac is ending production of all CT4 models, from the four-cylinder base model to the performance-oriented Blackwing. There are no plans for a replacement model as of yet. The American automaker is also discontinuing the current generation of the CT5, but they have confirmed that a replacement is on the way.
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4
2026 Jaguar F-Pace
The British automaker has completely changed their approach to the market
By now, everyone has seen the controversial Jaguar Type 01, which aims to slingshot the British automaker into a new era of ultra-luxury electric vehicles. While it is clear that Jaguar needed to make some changes, or they wouldn’t survive, the shift has caused quite a bit of upset. For those that prefer Jaguar’s old direction, the F Pace was the last of an era. While a little more expensive than its rivals, we think it delivered a fantastic mix of luxury and performance.
Base Trim Engine
2L I4 ICE
Base Trim Transmission
ZF 8-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
246 HP @5500 RPM
Base Trim Torque
269 lb.-ft. @ 1300 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
22/27/24 MPG
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Make
Jaguar
Model
F-Pace
Come 2027, the F-Pace will be no more. Jaguar’s shift towards electrification has already begun, and the brand’s era of roaring sports cars and engaging crossovers comes to an end.
5
Lexus LC
A grand tourer with an old soul that will be sorely missed
We think that the LC gets a bit of a bad rap. Many like to compare it to the Lexus LFA, or even other high-end sports cars, and its lower acceleration figures and lazier driving dynamics have given it a bad reputation. At its core, though, the LC is a luxury grand tourer, and it should be looked at as such. After nearly a decade on the market, we think it is still one of the most stunning cars ever built.
Base Trim Engine
5L V-8 ICE
Base Trim Transmission
10-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
471 HP @7100 RPM
Base Trim Torque
398 lb.-ft. @ 4800 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
15/25/18 MPG
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Make
Lexus
Model
LC Coupe
The end of the LC signals the finale of something equally devastating. With the RC F and the IS 500 already gone, the LC was the last model in Lexus’ lineup to come with their naturally aspirated V-8. While it might not have been the most powerful or efficient eight-cylinder, it made one of the most fantastic noises ever produced. It is this powertrain that makes us believe that the LC is a certified future classic.
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6
Tesla Model S
Despite any controversy, this was a game changer for the industry
While opinions of Tesla are pretty polarized right now, one thing that can’t be denied is that the Model S changed the game. It proved that an electric car could be more than just an appliance, and that there was some actual fun to be had in the segment. From its tech to its acceleration, it achieved things that had never been done before. While modern rivals might feel more refined, it still remains the benchmark when it comes to speed and range.
Base Trim Engine
EV
Base Trim Transmission
Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
670 HP
Base Trim Battery Type
Lithium ion battery
Make
Tesla
Model
Model S
Segment
Midsize Sedan
Tesla has decided that the Model S takes up too many resources, and they have chosen to discontinue it to focus their efforts elsewhere. The company is shifting to develop their presence in the robotics sector, which is a big factor at play here. The cost of updating the Model S’ platform to match what rivals are offering in terms of safety and tech is also insanely expensive.
7
Toyota GR Supra
Shrouded in controversy, the Supra was one of the best sports cars out there anyway
Those that saw the BMW Z4 earlier on this list, and know the connection between the two cars, would have already guessed that Toyota was saying goodbye to the GR Supra. When it first launched, there was a lot of criticism that the sports car was built using a lot of BMW components, but those that have sat behind the wheel will tell you that the relation is irrelevant. The GR Supra is one of the greatest modern sports cars, nostalgia be damned.
Base Trim Engine
3L I6 ICE
Base Trim Transmission
6-speed manual
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
382 HP @5800 RPM
Base Trim Torque
368 lb.-ft. @ 1800 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
19/26/21 MPG
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Make
Toyota
Model
GR Supra
After the discontinuation of the legendary MK IV Supra, it took Toyota more than 20 years to bring about a successor. Hopefully they don’t take that long to replace this one. The Japanese brand has confirmed that a sixth-generation Supra is in development, and purists will be glad to hear that Toyota is planning to build essentially everything in-house.
The automotive world is experiencing a ton of turbulence
There are currently so many pressures on the automakers, with things like tariff wars, fuel costs, tightening efficiency regulations, stricter safety standards, and rising costs making it harder than ever to produce cars that stimulate emotions. The above are just the latest in a long line of discontinuations that will break the hearts of enthusiasts, and they won’t be the last.
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The future isn’t all doom and gloom, though, and there are plenty of automakers working hard to ensure that fun and engaging cars continue to exist. While we say goodbye to some legends, there are a bevy of upcoming cars that make the bitter pill a little easier to swallow.
