At the end of each year, we reflect on all the models that have been discontinued in the last 12 months and choose which model we will miss the most.
Last year, for example, we raved about the defunct Jaguar F-Type and Ford Puma – except for one member of our team who picked one of these discontinued vehicles as the one they would miss the most.
There was little sadness or outrage this year. No one gave joy to the Toyota Fortuner, no one mourned the loss of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and no tears were shed for the LDV V80.
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Instead, many members of the team chose a model that is still available in high-performance trim, while some members deliberately chose not to have a car at all.
So which models, if any, will we miss? Read on…
Daily Sparkz: None
It would be easy to say the Toyota Supra, but this car feels like it’s run its course.
Realistically, I think any car that was canceled was discontinued for a good reason. Australia is the most competitive Western market for new cars as we offer more makes and models for sale to our population than anywhere else in the Western world.
If your car is no longer up to date, it’s time to go home.
Daily Sparkz: Audi S8
I simply chose the Audi S8 for nostalgic reasons. I remember driving the S8 a while back, which basically had a Lamborghini V10 under the hood.
With fingerprint scanning technology as a starting point, it truly was the epitome of performance and technology. Audi somehow lost track of things and it became general and not particularly interesting.
I wish the manufacturers would build fun cars like this again and make a statement instead of just driving by idly.
Marton Pettendy: Hyundai i30 Hatch
The Hyundai i30 Hatch was once the Korean brand’s best-selling model in Australia, so it’s a sign of the times that the successful little hatchback has been phased out here at the end of 2025.
The disappearance of the i30 five-door means those looking for an affordable small sedan now have less choice, and although there was a reprieve for the great i30 N hot hatch, their options are now limited to the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, new Kia K4 and, for now, the Skoda Scala.
William Stopford: Jeep Grand Cherokee
I’ll miss the Volvo V60 because it was the last station wagon in the brand’s local range, and what would Volvo be without station wagons? I will miss the Audi S8 because I love a luxury sedan. I’ll miss the Mazda 6 because as cool as the new electric 6e is, it’s a whole different beast.
But I’ll pick something a little outside the field: the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
It was anything but perfect. Its interior looked nicer than any of its ute-based competitors or the Toyota Prado, but in terms of build quality and material quality it was little better (and sometimes worse!). And unlike the previous WK2 generation or the Ford Everest, the WL didn’t have a turbodiesel V6 or a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.
Instead you got an average petrol V6 engine – no boat anchor, but old and unremarkable on paper. This would have been the ideal application for the twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six, but even the Americans still don’t understand it. They got a V8, something we missed on this generation.
Jeep has now installed a turbocharged four-cylinder that probably drives better but sounds worse.
My goodness, so what did the WL Grand Cherokee have to offer? Attractive design, particularly in the extended L-length flagship, which also featured an impressively spacious third row. A comfortable driving experience, albeit without dazzling performance. Ample luxury amenities available.
The previous generation WK2 was once Australia’s best-selling large SUV, even beating the Toyota Prado, but offered a similar level of off-road and towing capability. Unfortunately, Jeep gained a lot of customers during the WK2’s run, and the fact that the WL came out afterwards with higher prices and no diesel or V8 meant it was dead on arrival.
I’ll still miss that beautiful Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve that I got really dirty off-road. But then I didn’t have to pay for it…
James Wong: Hyundai i30 Hatch
Listen to me…
Over 10,000 sales by the end of November 2025 (including the not entirely related i30 sedan) demonstrate the importance of the i30 nameplate in Australia and why its discontinuation – at least in its current form – is such a huge shame.
Despite its advanced age, the i30 Hatch was still a looker, offering accessible, familiar and relatively economical transportation for P-platers, 30-somethings and empty-nesters alike.
The last batch of European hatchbacks brought performance and efficiency with mild-hybrid turbocharging and a fairly comprehensive specification with semi-autonomous driving capability and connected services.
I suspect Hyundai Australia made a mistake by not importing cheaper versions of the i30 Hatch in its last iteration, which might have increased the Czech-made model’s appeal Down Under, as the i30 has historically been a very popular ‘first car’, but its continued success says it all.
At least the racy i30 N will remain on sale for the foreseeable future, but with the i30’s future generally not guaranteed globally, I hope the Korean giant doesn’t turn its back on the humble, affordable small car.
Damion Smy: Mazda 6
The Mazda 6 was a vehicle that effortlessly offered an elegant exterior, a polished powertrain, an elegant interior and an age like a fine wine – a rare combination and seemingly out of reach even for Mazda in 2025. The anti-SUV in the age of zombie-like conformity.
Ben Zachariah: Hyundai i30 Hatch
It’s a shame to see the Hyundai i30 Hatch disappear.
When Nissan ditched the Pulsar and Mitsubishi foolishly dropped the Lancer, Hyundai had the chutzpah to take on the Toyota Corolla – the most popular car in the world. And for years it has been an excellent alternative to the Corolla.
Hopefully this isn’t the last we see of the i30 Hatch.
Sean Lander: None
Honestly, none of them. The Supra is the only cool car, but it will be on circuits 14 weeks a year in the Supercars championship.
Josh Nevett: Volvo S60
See, the list of discontinued cars wasn’t exactly inspiring. But at least it suggests we haven’t lost too much, which is encouraging.
Still, it’s a shame that the Volvo S60 is falling by the wayside.
I drove a top-of-the-line PHEV Black Edition last year and was extremely impressed with the combination of performance, efficiency and luxury, especially considering the price. I would definitely prefer one to the equivalent BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class – that says a lot.
And as a Volvo fan, it hurts to see how the Swedish manufacturer is moving even further away from its roots, at least down under.
The death of the S60 (as well as the Mazda 6 and Audi S8) is also evidence of something larger – the continued decline of the sedan. Once a staple of the Australian automotive landscape, the humble three-series has now been relegated to niche status as new car buyers turn to SUVs in droves.
Why should we care? Because sedans look better, drive better, are more efficient and less exaggerated.
So if I still have your attention, please go out and buy a saloon. Recommended options include the Toyota Camry, Tesla Model 3, Lexus ES, 3 Series, and Genesis G70, to name a few.
Max Davies: Hyundai i30 Hatch
There aren’t that many cars I’m sad to lose, but the i30 stands out for me.
After spending time in both the “regular” N line and the full-fat N model, I’ve come to appreciate Hyundai’s (combustion engine) performance hero.
With the N you get crazy power, crazy noise and sharp handling – and it will stay that way, at least for now. But the N wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the regular i30.
Otherwise, I can’t forget the Toyota Supra, and the cancellation of the Volvo S60/V60 and Mazda 6 continues the slow decline of traditional sedans and wagons.
