Car buyers are tired. Tired of inflated sticker prices. Tired of dealership games. Tired of being told that every new vehicle is “in demand” even when lots are full and monthly payments are borderline insane.
And now we’ve got another twist: 23 car models have been discontinued, and we’re being told this means “deep discounts” right now.
Yes, discounts can happen when a model is on the way out. But the reason these deals exist is the part that should bother you. Because most of the time, a vehicle doesn’t get discontinued because everything is going great. It gets discontinued because the automaker couldn’t sell it the way they hoped, or they decided they could make more money building something else.
So sure, there may be savings here. But it’s also a reminder of what’s happening in the car market: brands are quietly walking away from entire segments, pricing “normal” vehicles out of reach, and expecting consumers to just accept it.
Why Discontinued Models Can Create Buyer Leverage
When a model is being discontinued, it usually creates one big problem for dealers: they don’t want it sitting on the lot as the calendar flips to a new model year. Once buyers view a vehicle as the “old one,” it gets harder to justify full price, and it becomes easier for shoppers to negotiate.
That’s why discontinued status can work as leverage. If you’re negotiating on one of these vehicles, you can be direct about it: the model is done, demand is likely shrinking, and you’re not paying like it’s the hottest thing on the market.
In plain terms: if they want it gone, they need to make it worth your time.
Why End-of-Year Shopping Can Be the Best Window
The end of the year often creates a perfect storm for deal-making. Cold weather slows foot traffic. Holiday distractions pull attention away from car shopping. Dealers want to clean up leftover inventory and get their lots ready for what’s next.
When you combine those seasonal factors with discontinued vehicles and leftover inventory that isn’t moving, it creates a real opportunity for buyers who know how to negotiate.
But here’s the part that’s hard to ignore: if you need a dealer to be desperate just to get a fair price, that says a lot about how broken the market has become.
The Discontinued Cars That Won’t Necessarily Get Discounted
Not every discontinued car becomes a bargain. Some vehicles have such strong enthusiast demand that they can hold value even after they’re discontinued. In those cases, “discontinued” doesn’t automatically translate into “discounted.”
The smart approach is simple: use discontinued status as leverage when demand is weak, but don’t assume every discontinued model will come with a massive price drop.
23 Discontinued Car Models and Their Current Average Prices
Below are 23 models that have recently been discontinued, along with current average pricing:
- Acura TLX: $49,930
- Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid: $51,917
- Audi A4: $45,808
- Audi Q8 e-tron: $86,196
- BMW X4: $64,677
- Cadillac XT4: $46,327
- Cadillac XT6: $58,995
- Chevrolet Malibu: $26,760
- Dodge Hornet: $31,799
- Dodge Hornet (plug-in hybrid): $41,166
- Infiniti QX50: $48,177
- Infiniti QX55: $52,597
- Jeep Wagoneer: $71,941
- Jeep Wagoneer L: $75,744
- Kia Soul: $23,403
- Lexus RC 350: $61,356
- Mercedes-Benz EQB: $63,149
- Polestar 2: $57,963
- Porsche 718 Boxster: $141,299
- Porsche 718 Cayman: $126,059
- Subaru Legacy: $33,495
- Volvo S60: $48,013
- Volvo S90: $60,607
And here’s what stands out immediately: even the “discount list” is expensive. Discontinued doesn’t mean affordable. It just means negotiable.
What This List Really Says About the Industry
When you look at the vehicles being cut, a few patterns show up fast.
1) The Slow Death of the Sedan
A chunk of this list is made up of sedans and car-based models that used to be everyday choices. As those disappear, buyers lose options, and the market shifts even harder toward higher-priced crossovers and SUVs.
That’s great for automakers chasing profit. It’s not great for drivers who just want a comfortable, reasonably priced car that doesn’t feel like a luxury purchase.
2) The “We Tried, Buyers Shrugged” Crossover Problem
Several crossovers on this list are exactly the type of vehicles that were supposed to be safe bets. Instead, they’re getting cut—often because the demand never matched the expectations.
That’s where the biggest negotiation leverage can appear. If a dealer has these sitting around, they’re motivated. Your job is to force them to prove the price makes sense.
3) The Electrified Reality Check
Some electrified models being discontinued hints at how unpredictable this transition still is. Policies change, incentives shift, and consumer confidence rises and falls. That volatility can create bigger price swings—both up and down.
4) The Enthusiast Exception
A few models sit outside the normal rules. If demand stays strong, discounts may not show up the same way. That’s why it’s crucial to compare real market pricing, not wishful thinking.
How to Shop These Without Getting Burned
If you’re going after a discontinued model, here are the simple rules:
- Make the dealer justify the price.
- Use “discontinued” as leverage during negotiation.
- Compare it to alternatives that aren’t discontinued. If the price is close, you should demand added value.
- Be honest about resale. Some discontinued models will depreciate harder once they’re seen as yesterday’s news.
Most importantly, don’t let the word “discount” distract you from the actual math. A small discount on an overpriced vehicle is still an overpriced vehicle.
The Best Move Before You Step Onto Any Lot
If you’re shopping any of these discontinued models—or any car in today’s market—your biggest advantage is pricing data before the conversation starts.
That’s why I recommend using Quotes.EverymanDriver.com.
It’s a free tool that helps buyers access real-time dealer invoice pricing on new and used cars, avoid surprise markups and inflated MSRPs, and save hundreds—sometimes thousands—before they ever step foot in a dealership.
Because the best way to beat the system is simple: walk in knowing the numbers.
