17 Vehicles That We Won’t See After 2015

Cars come and cars go. Most of the time, it’s exciting to see new arrivals, replacements, and the steady progression and evolution of the automobile industry. On the other side of the coin, though, it’s also a bit sad (usually) to see vehicles leave. While some production runs come to end and bring sweet relief, others mark the passing of an iconic vehicle that had the magic that just can’t be replicated.

Automotive shopping and research tool iSeeCars.com threw together a list of vehicles that won’t live to see a 2016 model year. For some, 2014 is its last shot on the market, while others will stick around long enough to see 2015.

“While we’re languishing in our lounge or beach chairs this summer, enjoying our leisure time without stressing over such things as what cars are biting the dust in the near future, maybe we’ll be dismayed, amazed, or shake our heads in agreement over the ones on this list,” iSeeCars.com said in its analysis of 18 vehicles that won’t live beyond the 2015 model year.

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, and some models may have been left out. Check out what will be leaving this earth for the great garage in the sky after the jump.

Editors’ Note: This post has been updated to reflect some last minute changes that were made involving the final tally of vehicles listed. There are 17 vehicles in total — some are doubled up like the Honda Insight and Clarity. Some adjustments were made last-minute and were not updated before publishing. Thank you to our readers for pointing out the issues to us.

1. Acura TL and TSX

The Acura (NYSE:HMC) TL and TSX, the company’s two leading sedans, will be swept away in favor of a singular replacement, the TLX. Acura has sort of put its sedans (until the TLX, that is) on the back burner, instead focusing on the profit-rich SUVs. Now, with the NSX on the way and a new flagship sedan, the TL and TSX have become the casualties of automotive war as Acura streamlines its lineup to become more competitive.

2. Honda Insight

Try as it might, the Honda Insight was never able to keep up with the low cost, the efficiency, or the versatility of the Toyota Prius. After years of struggling in the Prius’ shadow, Honda is throwing in the towel with the Insight (earlier generations of which can be credited with being one of the first hybrids to become available in America), as sales have stagnated and non-hybrid fuel economy alternatives continue to improve.

3. Honda Fit EV and FCX Clarity

Honda’s two limited, alternative fuel vehicles — both of which are essentially compliance cars — will no longer be offered after the 2015 model year. “Don’t expect the Fit EV to be gone forever, however, as sales of electric vehicles are expected to increase in coming years,” iSeeCars.com surmises. “That coupled with the fact that the regular Honda Fit is a strong seller points to a possible return for the Fit EV sometime down the line.” As for the hydrogen-powered FCX, Honda’s put too much money into that car for it to be gone for good.

4. Honda Ridgeline

In the pickup truck world, the Honda Ridgeline has never really fit in. Instead, it was better friends with the likes of the Subaru Baja more so than the Toyota Tacoma, but it nonetheless garnered a loyal following of people who enjoyed its SUV-esque cabin, sturdy unibody construction and everyday versatility. The current generation will be ceased for 2015, though rumor has it that a new successor is in the cards.

5. Cadillac CTS-V

This is actually one of those instances where we can look forward to a great car being discontinued. Why? Most likely because the end of the Cadillac (NYSE:GM) CTS-V — both the sedan and the wagon (pictured) — means that the company is hard at work prepping its new iteration to match the new generation of the CTS that hit showrooms earlier this year. The new car is built on a better platform, and is arguably the most competitive Cadillac has ever been with the likes of BMW and Mercedes — so the new CTS-V shouldn’t disappoint.

6. Jaguar XK

Essentially, the decision to take the Jaguar (NYSE:TTM) XK off the table boils down to this: it’s redundant. With the critically acclaimed F-Type on the market now, there’s little room in Jag’s pen for another high performance grand touring car. “We have other things that we need to spend our time and money on,” Fortune Magazine cited a Jaguar executive as telling Automotive News. The XK was a terrific car — Aston Martin performance at a fraction of the cost — but the brand has moved on to bigger and better things, and the XK is a victim of the natural ebb and flow of automotive demand. Thus, 2015 will be the last year for the model.

7. Chrysler 200 Convertible

The Chrysler 200 sedan has already seen its 2015 makeover, and for the better, we think — but the convertible model will be getting no such treatment, as Chrysler has instead decided against continuing the drop-top for now. The cars — both the ragtop and the hardtop — haven’t been able to justify further investment for their presence, and as such, 2014 will be the final model year for the time being.

8. Dodge Durango

As a part of Fiat’s big shakeup, the Dodge Durango is being showed the door for the 2016 model year, making the 2015 model the last, at least for now. This decision comes despite a fairly recent overhaul, which made the Durango more desirable than ever. Fortune magazine theorizes that the car could be spun into a future three-row, seven-passenger Jeep model, as the brand has been carrying much of the Chrysler Group’s growth weight, alongside Ram, while the Dodge brand has been stumbling.

9. Dodge Grand Caravan

The Dodge Grand Caravan, a mainstay of the minivan market for decades, will be leaving us after the 2015 model year, leaving just the Chrysler Town & Country as its replacement following Chrysler Group’s big shakeup resulting from its merger with Fiat. However, the Italian firm has big plans for the latter — including a plug-in hybrid version — but as far as its Dodge sibling goes, the Grand Caravan will be no more after the 2015 model year — at least for now.

10. Nissan Cube

The Nissan (NSANY.PK) Cube has always struggled to blend in with America’s vehicular landscape, as its quirky and decidedly very Japanese persona never quite connected with American consumers. “The Nissan Cube is quietly biting the dust at the end of the 2014 model year,” iSeeCars.com said.”The Cube never quite achieved the consumer enthusiasm that the Kia Soul has managed to garner. So the Cube is, as it were, being put on ice.” Ba-dum tsshh.

11. Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

This is one of those vehicles that you look at and say “… why?” Nissan, though, is all about taking risks, and a convertible Murano is definitely among them. Based on an SUV but featuring the retractable roof of a convertible, the Murano CrossCabriolet doesn’t really fit into either camp. It’s too big and bulky to enjoy as a convertible but really has none of the utility or practical nature that would make it a sensible SUV, either. After years of selling very few units, the Murano CrossCabriolet will be let go of before the 2015 model year, as Nissan readies a new generation of the SUV.

12. Scion xD

We always had a feeling something was up with the Scion xD given the near complete lack of attention that has been afforded it. The car hasn’t seen any meaningful changes since its debut in 2008. That’s sort of a shame since the American auto industry could always use another affordable, reliable, versatile hatchback. The entire Scion lineup is expected to see some dramatic changes over the next few years, however, so it’s possible the xD will get another shot — and maybe as more than an awkward filler between the iQ and the xB.

13. Toyota RAV4 EV

With its agreed upon production run coming to a close, Toyota (NYSE:TM) is following up on its hybrid and fuel-cell technology, leaving its RAV4 EV limited-release vehicle behind. The RAV4 EV was a joint project between Toyota, which supplied the vehicle itself, and Tesla Motors, which supplied the powertrain. It boasts a range of 103 miles, and all the versatility you’d expect from an SUV — but at nearly $50,000 before federal and state incentives, it’s an expensive proposition.

14. Toyota FJ Cruiser

Toyota, to its credit, came forth at the debut of the revived FJ cruiser and said that it was only going to be a one-generation vehicle. That doesn’t help relieve the sting, though, as we bid farewell to one of the greatest factory-built off-road vehicles in recent memory. There’s virtually nothing this SUV did poorly (though it’s a pretty thirsty beast, but you didn’t buy an off-roader for its fuel economy), and after seven years and zero redesigns later, it’s as good as it was the first day it hit dealer lots.

15. Volkswagen Routan

Volkswagen was once renowned for making enduring, iconic people-movers that today garner a larger fan base than any other minivan, SUV, or passenger van will ever dream of. The VW Microbus is an enduring icon not just in an automoive sense, but helps define an entire period of time. For its latest people-hauler, though, VW instead turned to Chrysler Group, and the resulting Routan — a Town and Country in a German suit, if you will — was rather lukewarm. Now, as VW gears up for the production of a new SUV in Tennessee, the Routan will be let go for good.