When we look back over all the models discontinued in the last 12 months and choose which one we’ll miss most at the end of every year.
Last year, for example, we waxed lyrical about the dearly departed Jaguar F-Type and Ford Puma – all bar one member of our team picked one of those discontinued vehicles as the one they’d miss the most.
This year, there was little sadness or outrage. Nobody was pouring one out for the Toyota Fortuner, no one mourned the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, and no tears were shed for the LDV V80.
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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Toyota Fortuner
Toyota Granvia
Volvo C40
Instead, many members of the team opted for a model that remains in high-performance guise (and some members pointedly didn’t pick – at all) car.
So which models, if any, will we miss? Read on…
Alborz Fallah: None
It would be easy to say the Toyota Supra, but that car feels like it ran its course.
But I think any car that was axed for good reason, realistically, is gone because it’s the one of those cars which got a bit ? Since our market for new cars is more brand-based and a lot of models on sale to our population than anywhere else in the west world, Australia is the most competitive western market.
If your car is not up to scratch, it’s time to go home.
Paul Maric: Audi S8
I chose the Audi S8, simply for nostalgic reasons. I remember driving the S8 a while back, which had what was effectively a Lamborghini V10 under the bonnet.
But it was really the embodiment of power and technology with fingerprint scanning tech to start it. It somehow lost track of Audi and became generic, not overly interesting.
But I hope manufacturers would return to doing fun cars like that and make a statement instead of just driving by the car, as in my opinion.
Marton Pettendy: Hyundai i30 Hatch
The Hyundai i30 Hatch was once the Korean brand’s top-selling model in Australia, and so it’s a sign of the times that the accomplished small hatchback was axed here at the end of 2025.
The demise of the i30 five-door means those in the market for an affordable small hatch now have less choice, and while there’s been a reprieve for the superb i30 N hot hatch, their options are now limited to the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, the 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 wagon standing in the brand’s local lineup, and what is Volvo without wagons? I’ll miss the Audi S8 because I love a luxury limo. I’ll miss the Mazda 6 because as cool as the new electric 6e is, it’s a very different beast.
But I’m going to pick something a bit left of field: the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
It was far from perfect. Its interior looked nicer than any of its ute-based rivals or the Toyota Prado, but it was little better (and sometimes worse!) in terms of build or material quality. And unlike the previous WK2 generation, or the Ford Everest for that matter, there was no turbo-diesel V6 or 3500kg braked towing capacity in the WL.
It was an average petrol V6 – not a boat anchor, but old and unexceptional on paper. That’s the best app for the Hurricane twin-turbo inline six, but even the Americans aren’t getting that application — this would have been the perfect one. This generation has a V8, which we did not mention, but they did get one.
Jeep has now popped in a turbocharged four-cylinder, which will probably drive better but sound worse.
How is WL Grand Cherokee going to do it? Handsome styling, especially in the long-length L model which also had an impressively large third row. A fun car ride (without scintillating performance) – even if you’re not driving like crazy. There’s a lot of luxury equipment out there, .
In the past, the WK2 generation was Australia’s best-selling large SUV (along with even the Toyota Prado) offering similar off-road and towing capabilities. Unfortunately, Jeep burned many of its customers during the WK2’s run; for the WL to come after this with higher prices and without a diesel or v8 meant it was dead on arrival.
I’ll miss that lovely Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve I got right filthy off-road. And I didn’t have to pay for it, but then a was…
James Wong: Hyundai i30 Hatch
Hear me out…
In Australia, more than 10,000 sales to the end of November 2025 (including the i30 Sedan not-quite-related) reflect what it means and why its discontinuation – at least in its current form is such an embarrassing shame.
The i30 Hatch, though it was still an older looker, provided friendly, familiar and relatively economical transport for P-platers, 30-somethings and empty-nesters alike.
In the last run of Euro-branded hatchbacks, mild turbocharged performance and efficiency were introduced; a relatively well-rounded model with semi autonomous driving capability and connected services was also described as being pretty well balanced.
My mistake was I reckon Hyundai Australia importing cheaper versions of the i30 Hatch in its final run, perhaps expanding the Czech-made model’s appeal Down Under as it has been an ‘first car’ for many years but its long term success means that it is all about this.
I hope the Korean giant doesn’t turn its back on the humble affordable small car, but at least the racy i30 N is still in sale for the future.
Damion Smy: Mazda 6
It was a car that effortlessly delivered an elegant exterior, polished drive, smart cabin and aged like ‘fine wine’ in 2025 (the rare combination and apparently unattainable, even by Mazda), the unusual mix. A zombie era conformity, the anti-SUV in an age of s.
Ben Zachariah: Hyundai i30 Hatch
It’s a shame to see the Hyundai i30 Hatch go.
The battle was taken by Hyundai as the chutzpah took to the Toyota Corolla, which is the world’s most popular car in the World when Nissan cut off the Pulsar and Mitsubishi stupidly dropped the Lancer. But it’s a great substitute for the Corolla and has been an excellent alternative to in years.
Hopefully, it’s not the last we see of the i30 Hatch.
Sean Lander: None
Honestly, none of them were s. It’s one cool car, the Supra but it’s going to be on racetracks 14 weeks of the year in Supercars championship.
Josh Nevett: Volvo S60
It wasn’t exactly inspiring to list of discontinued cars, look, the list was a bit like Look. heart-warming, but at least that means we haven’t lost too much.
Nevertheless, it’s a shame that the Volvo S60 has been put out to pasture.
I drove a top-spec PHEV Black Edition last year and came away thoroughly impressed with its combination of performance, efficiency and luxury, especially at the price point. I’d certainly have one over the equivalent BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class – that says a lot.
As a Volvo fan, it’s unfortunate to see the Swedish manufacturer moving further from its roots (at least Down Under) as far as their own brand is concerned.
The death of the S60 (as well as the Mazda 6 and Audi S8) also reflects something more than others the sedan is still in decline. As new-car buyers flock to SUVs, the humble three box has become a staple of the Australian automotive landscape and is now considered niche as it’s been replaced by niche status.
Why should we care? Because sedans are better looking, better to drive, more efficient, and less excessive.
So, if I’ve still got your attention, please go out and buy a saloon. Recommendable options include the Toyota Camry, Tesla Model 3, Lexus ES, 3 Series, and Genesis G70, just to name a few.
Max Davies: Hyundai i30 Hatch
There aren’t all that many cars that I’m sad to see go, but the i30 stands out to me.
My experience in the ‘regular’ N Line and the full-fat N has made me appreciate Hyundai’s (internal combustion) performance hero.
If you have N and a crazy performance, bonkers noise or sharp handling of the word – but at least that’ll be hanging around for now. The N would not have been for the regular i30, but it wouldn’t be an N.
I can’t forget the Toyota Supra.’ The axing of the Volvo S60/V60 and Mazda 6 continues the slow decline of traditional sedans and wagons, but also the classic car-carryer is still struggling to keep up with its old rivals.
Thanks for reading The cars axed in 2025 that well miss the most
