The cars axed in 2025 that we'll miss the most

At the end of every year, we reflect on all the models discontinued over the past 12 months and pick which one we’ll miss the most.

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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Instead, many members of the team picked a model that remains available in high-performance guise, while some members pointedly didn’t pick a car at all.

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.

Realistically, I think any car that got axed was discontinued for good reason. Australia is the most competitive western market for new cars, since we have more brands and more models on sale for our population than anywhere else in the western world.

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.

With fingerprint scanning tech to start it, it really was the embodiment of power and technology. Audi somehow lost track with it and it became generic and not overly interesting.

I wish manufacturers would go back to doing fun cars like that, making a statement instead of just idly driving by.

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.

Instead you got a petrol V6 that was average – not a boat anchor, but old and unexceptional on paper. This would have been the ideal application for the Hurricane twin-turbo inline six, but even the Americans still aren’t getting that. They did get a V8, something we missed out on with this generation.

Jeep has now popped in a turbocharged four-cylinder, which will probably drive better but sound worse.

Sheesh, so what did the WL Grand Cherokee have going for it? Handsome styling, particularly in the extended-length L flagship, which also boasted an impressively spacious third row. A comfortable driving experience, if one without scintillating performance. Plenty of available luxury equipment.

The previous WK2 generation was once Australia’s best-selling large SUV, beating even the Toyota Prado while offering similar levels of off-road and towing capability. Sadly, Jeep burned a lot of customers during the WK2’s run, and for the WL to arrive after this with higher pricing and without a diesel or a V8 meant it was dead on arrival.

I’ll still miss that lovely Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve I got properly filthy off-road. But then I didn’t have to pay for it…

James Wong: Hyundai i30 Hatch

Hear me out…

Over 10,000 sales to the end of November 2025 (including the not-quite-related i30 Sedan) shows the significance of the i30 nameplate in Australia and why its discontinuation – at least in its current form – is such a crying shame.

Despite its advancing age, the i30 Hatch was still a looker, and offered approachable, familiar and relatively economical transport for P-platers, 30-somethings and empty-nesters alike.

The final run of Euro-sourced hatchbacks brought mild-hybrid turbocharged performance and efficiency, and a pretty well-rounded specification with semi-autonomous driving capability and connected services.

I reckon Hyundai Australia made a mistake in not importing more affordable versions of the i30 Hatch in its final run, which perhaps would have broadened the Czech-made model’s appeal Down Under given the i30 has historically been a very popular ‘first car’, but its enduring success says it all.

At least the racy i30 N remains on sale for the foreseeable, but given the future of the i30 in general isn’t 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 delivered an elegant exterior, polished drive, smart cabin and aged like a fine wine – a rare combination and seemingly unachievable, even by Mazda, in 2025. The anti-SUV in an age of zombie-like conformity.

Ben Zachariah: Hyundai i30 Hatch

It’s a shame to see the Hyundai i30 Hatch go.

As Nissan axed the Pulsar and Mitsubishi stupidly dropped the Lancer, Hyundai had the chutzpah to take the fight to the Toyota Corolla – the most popular car in the world. And for years, it’s been an excellent alternative to the Corolla.

Hopefully, it’s not the last we see of the i30 Hatch.

Sean Lander: None

Honestly, none of them. The Supra is the one cool car, but it’s going to be on racetracks 14 weeks of the year in the Supercars championship.

Josh Nevett: Volvo S60

Look, the list of discontinued cars wasn’t exactly inspiring. But at least that suggests we haven’t lost too much, which is heartening.

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.

And as a Volvo fan, it hurts to see the Swedish manufacturer straying further from its roots, at least Down Under.

The death of the S60 (as well as the Mazda 6 and Audi S8) also serves as evidence of something greater – the ongoing decline of the sedan. Once a staple of the Australian automotive landscape, the humble three-box has now been relegated to niche status as new-car buyers flock to SUVs.

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.

Having spent some time in both the ‘regular’ N Line and the full-fat N, I’ve come to appreciate Hyundai’s (internal combustion) performance hero.

With the N, you get crazy performance, bonkers noise, and sharp handling – and at least that’ll be sticking around for now. But the N wouldn’t exist were it not for the regular i30.

Otherwise, I can’t forget the Toyota Supra, and the axing of the Volvo S60/V60 and Mazda 6 continues the slow decline of traditional sedans and wagons.