Driven to extinction: The cars axed from Australian showrooms in 2023

If you've been reading our extensive New Cars of 2024 coverage, you'll know Australian showrooms are about to be inundated yet again with tonnes of fresh metal.

But as we get excited about all the new vehicles heading our way, it's also time to shed a tear for models that were given the chop, or phased-out, in 2023.

Victims included Tesla's breakthrough model, the Model S, the last pure-combustion Lamborghini, Kia's brand-image-lifting Stinger sports sedan, an Audi design icon, and a couple of highly popular Mazda family SUVs.

We've focused on entire make-models rather than specific variants - such as the Hyundai Kona N and Kia Picanto GT that have also headed to the automotive graveyard. We've also exluded outgoing generational models that will be replaced – such as the sixth-generation Ford Mustang.

Here's our quick guide to the fallen. Or, for those who want to read more, click on the links to our regular Wheels Driven To Extinction series articles that cover many of the vehicle departures in more detail.

Audi TT

It was the sensational-looking mid-1990s concept car that became production reality in the late '90s - with that Bauerhaus-inspired, domed original shape arguably never bettered in successive generations. While it could never hold a candle to the Porsche Cayman, the TT still always had style as part of its persuasive appeal. In late 2023, an aptly named Final Edition went on sale as the last hurrah for an automotive icon.

Ferrari F8 Tributo

In English, you might call this the V8 Tribute - the last of the line for Maranello's legendary eight-cylinder lineage. The Tributo borrowed the turbocharged V8 from the 488 Pista for a racy 530kW and a claimed 0-100km/h time of under three seconds (though it still didn't sound as epic as the normally aspirated V8 in the earlier 458). The next chapter is started by the 296 GTB and its electrified V6.

Ferrari Portofino M

M for Modificata heralded a more focused version of Ferrari's 2018-launched convertible that replaced the California T. Boosting power of the twin-turbo V8 from 441kW to 456kW for a quoted 0-100km/h run of 3.45 seconds - or less than 10 seconds to reach 200km/h. The drop-top Ferrari option is now the Roma Spider, arriving in the first half of 2024 with a half-mil-plus price tag that carries a $110K premium over the Roma coupe already on sale.

Ford Escape

A slow-seller yet it was still a surprise when Ford Australia announced it was exiting our market's biggest vehicle segment. Offered in FWD and AWD petrol forms, as well as a flagship plug-in hybrid, the Escape struggled against dominant rivals that included the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Forester. It was a mixed bag, with one of the better interiors seen lately from Ford of Europe, yet also surprised with dynamics that, in a rarity for the company, weren't fully resolved.

Kia Rio

The Rio city car had been a staple of Kia dealerships for more than two decades, since mid 2000. But with a new-generation model to be produced in left-hand drive only, it ends the Rio's long run in Australia. That leaves the Picanto as buyers' affordable-Kia option in Australia, or a budget stretch to the Cerato small car.

Jeep Cherokee

Australians prefer their Cherokees to be Grand, though the smaller, midsized Jeep SUV was at least offered at its best in the latter, KL model - if requiring modifications to a glitchy nine-speed auto and later a facelift to correct a polarising front-end design. A successor has yet to be annoucned.

Kia Stinger

Never estimate how much good this sporty sedan did for the Korean brand's image, which arrived with serendipitous timing - just as the homegrown Falcon and Commodore were heading for the exit. If not perfect in the ride-and-handling department, it was still a convincing cut-price alternative to an Audi S5 Sportback or BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, and the V6 version was respectably and enjoyably quick.

Lamborghini Huracan

The last of the V10-powered Huracans - a model that's been around a decade since it replaced the Gallardo - was given a send off with variants that included the off-road-centric Sterrato. Orders for the last pure-combustion Lamborghini stopped being taken in mid 2023, with the Huracan's replacement due to be revealed later this year.

Mazda CX-8

Stock will still be available in the first quarter of 2024, but beyond that the CX-8 is essentially no more. Introduced in 2018, the seven-seater that could be viewed as a long-wheelbase CX-5 proved to be popular in Australia - priced below the larger CX-9 (see next model). Its replacement will be the yet-to-be-revealed CX-80, though pricing isn't expected to be as affordable.

Mazda CX-9

The CX-9 was noticeably bigger than the CX-8 and presented as the more premium seven-seater (or six-seater) in other ways including powertrain. It particularly impressed in second-generation form, when it was acclaimed the 2017 Wheels Car of the Year. Its effective replacement is already here - the CX-90 that has taken the luxury up another notch (along with prices).

Mazda MX-30

This quirky electric or hybrid compact SUV had much to like about it yet there were also comprises - such as the EV model's relatively short range. Outsold comprehensively by Mazda's CX-30 small SUV, the MX-30's lifespan ended up being limited to just two years, having launched only in 2021.

Mercedes-Benz CLS

The droopily styled, frameless-doored CLS certainly turned more heads than the regular E-Class it was based on when it launched in 2004 - and it started the whole four-door-coupe trend (which has since moved into the SUV world). But after three generations, just the CLS53 AMG was offered in 2023 locally before production ended its showroom involvement full stop. There is an electric spiritual successor, however, in the form of the EQE.

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Renault Megane RS

A slight exception to our 'no variants' approach as the RS was the only Megane offered in Australia in recent times – and the successor is a different beast: the Megane E-Tech is an electric SUV. While production of the Megane RS has stopped, we're told there is some dealer stock left – so be quick if you want to own one of the last petrol-powered hot-hatches.

Tesla Model S & X

The Roadster first brought Tesla to the world's attention but it was the Model S large sedan that put the electric car maker on the world map. It remains on sale in many left-hand-drive markets, including a latest, ultra-rapid variant called the Plaid, though right-hand-drive production stopped in 2023 - and that mean ta-ta to Australia, along with the X large SUV.