Buyers will lose a swath of familiar models from dealer lots when the 2026 model year ends, as automakers remove more than a dozen nameplates from their 2027 lineups. The departures range from affordable crossovers to halo sports cars and electric commercial vans, with some marques pausing lines briefly and others exiting segments altogether.
The Story in Pictures
Notable discontinuations include the BMW Z4 roadster and the Lexus LC500 V‑8 grand tourer, both of which end production with the 2026 model year. Cadillac is dropping both the CT4 and CT5 sedans, though the CT5 name is expected to return in a future generation before the end of the decade. BMW will end the current 8‑Series run after 2026 but is expected to bring the name back in coming years.
Electrification and portfolio reshuffles also shape the cut list. Audi’s RS7, the last variant of the A7 line, exits as the brand steers mid‑size liftback buyers toward the battery‑electric A6 e‑tron. Jaguar’s last remaining model, the F‑Pace, will pause until production of the battery‑electric Type 01 begins. BMW will stop selling the iX in the U.S. after 2026, and Honda’s Prologue EV will also cease with the model year change.
Volume and utility models are affected as well. Ford will remove the Escape from its roster for 2027, leaving the Bronco Sport as its lone compact crossover contender. Chrysler ends the Voyager nameplate while folding its spirit into the 2027 Pacifica LX. General Motors is discontinuing the Chevrolet BrightDrop van after only a few years under the bow‑tie badge, cutting short the short‑lived commercial EV line.
Some departures are explicitly temporary: Acura’s RDX will take a one‑model‑year hiatus and is expected to return as a next‑generation 2028 model. Other exits have less certain timelines, creating gaps for shoppers who want specific body styles, powertrains, or performance variants. As these changes take effect, buyers seeking the characteristics of outgoing models will need to consider remaining stock, alternatives from other nameplates, or wait for successor models to arrive.
