Good cars come, and good cars go. Here is a list of five automotive names we lost in 2017. To make this list, a model must be discontinued from an automaker's lineup with no immediate or eventual replacement in sight. For example, although the Volkswagen CC has been dropped for 2018, its spirit lives on in the brand new Arteon.
Buick Verano
To be fair, the Verano was effectively discontinued after the 2016 model year, with only a handful of 2017 models produced before its assembly line shut down for good. Back in 2012, the idea of a small, affordable, fuel-efficient car from Buick made perfect sense. However, persistently low gas prices and lack of interest in sedans of all sizes killed the argument to continue investing in the Verano model. With the death of the Verano and uncertainty regarding the LaCrosse, the Regal is the only sedan with any solid future over at Buick.
Chevrolet SS
A bitter loss no matter how you look at it, the Chevrolet SS was the ideal American sedan - rear wheel drive, manual transmission, and a massive V8 straight from the Corvette. For those who were heartbroken over the untimely loss of the Pontiac G8, General Motors gave them another chance by bringing the next generation Holden Commodore to the United States as the Chevy SS. Yes, we knew it wasn't the most practical car, so it was only going to sell in limited numbers, and, yes, its fate was sealed once GM bailed on its Australian manufacturing facilities.
But that sells short the SS's astonishing abilities. It handily outperformed comparable Dodge Chargers in all objective measurements, and came with a healthy dose of standard equipment. Hurting the SS's cause though was styling which was a bit too generic, a $45,000 base price, and a name that lacked any real cachet. If you still want an SS, unfortunately you're too late. The last day to order one was back in February. Check out any remaining dealer stock if you missed your chance to buy this amazing car the first time around.
Honda Accord Coupe and V6
Here is an interesting addition to this list. The Honda Accord sedan carries on for its tenth generation (if they ever do drop the Accord, prepare for the apocalypse). However, the coupe model is no more as is its V6 engine option. Let's go over the engine first. The V6 has been replaced in favor or two turbocharged inline-fours. Base cars will be powered by a 1.5 liter unit and a 2.0 liter will be optional. Blame fuel economy regulations for this.
The death of the coupe is more tragic as it signals the end of what I like to call the personal coupe. Toyota Solara, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Nissan Altima Coupe, Ford Thunderbird, Pontiac G6; they're all gone. Now if anyone wants a coupe, they will need to get something from a luxury brand which will run them thousands of dollars more. Apparently, the coupe accounted for only a tiny fraction of Accord sales, but I still see quite a few around. For those who consider the Civic a bit too juvenile, and can't find anything sporty enough in an Acura showroom, the Accord Coupe mated with a V6 and a manual transmission hit the well-heeled enthusiast sweet spot. Not anymore.
Hyundai Azera
Large sedans are not doing well. What once was a popular niche for aging drivers is losing market share at an alarming rate to higher riding crossovers. The Azera's place in Hyundai's product history is not to be underestimated. As a semi-premium offering from a decidedly non-premium brand, it was the first step on a journey for Korean manufacturer which resulted in the launch of the Genesis luxury brand. The Azera will continue to be sold in its home market as well as some other select regions around the world. Meanwhile, executives have hinted that a flagship Hyundai sedan tailored to US tastes may return to the lineup. After all, they can't let Genesis have all the good stuff.
Nissan Juke
Hopefully, this obituary is premature as there has been no official word on whether or not the Nissan Juke is going to be axed. However, it appears from sources familiar with Nissan's product planners that the Juke's remaining time among us will be short. Heck, it may have been replaced already. Nissan has quietly imported its European-bred Qashqai to the US as the Rogue Sport. With more conventional styling and better practicality, the Rouge Sport will undoubtedly cannibalize whatever sales potential the Juke has left.
The Juke was one of the first compact crossovers to be sold in America and earned equal praise and scorn for its wild bodywork. With turn signals located at eye level on the hood and the general appearance of a hunchbacked frog, there is no arguing that the Juke was striking to look at. Despite a torquey turbocharged engine and available NISMO performance model, sales of the Juke never took off in numbers comparable to the Kia Soul which came before it, or the Jeep Renegade and Buick Encore which came after it.
A sort-of Juke wannabe called the Kicks is being built in Mexico for the South American market. Slightly larger than the Juke, but carrying on its youthful vibe, there has been no indication since its 2016 launch that it will migrate to the United States.
