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End Of The Road: 35 Iconic Cars Set To Disappear In 2020

Cameron Eittreim September 23, 2019

The landscape of the automotive industry is changing. As consumer tastes take a turn toward technologically advanced crossovers, the market for certain vehicles will dwindle. There have been quite a few nameplates set to be revived in the coming years such as the Ford Bronco. There are also going to be some well-known family staples driving off into the sunset soon.

Gone are the days of the large family sedan that could seat six comfortably. Today is a time of the trendy crossover that you can squeeze into just about any parking space. We’re going to be taking a look at the twenty cars that will be riding off into the sunset for the 2020 model year

Some of them, you might be very familiar with. While it can be a sad thing to watch one of your favorite car models be discontinued, there are going to be some significant savings to be had on these models. There may never be a better time to scoop one up. Read on to examine 35 soon-to-be-extinct car models for next year with data via Forbes below.

35: Audi TT

Introduced in the 1999 model year, the Audi TT is one of the most iconic sports cars to come out of Germany. The vehicle has been featured in countless movies and features a unique 2-2 design that makes the car both livable and fun at the same time.

The vehicle hasn’t been able to keep up with the times. Yet the Audi TT is still a very fun-to-drive vehicle that will leave a smile on your face every time you take off from the stoplight.

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34: BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

BMW has a knack for creating unique sports cars that peak consumer interest long after they are gone. Take the 1-series for instance. Sadly, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo line of vehicles was not able to garner enough interest to keep the brand relevant in the competitive world of high-end luxury sports cars.

BMW 340i GT M Sport Estorilblau — via: BMW

With increasing competition from Lexus and its F-Series line of sports coupes and sedans, the BMW brand is going back to focusing on the M-Sports coupe and sedan. As a result, the 3 Series Gran Turismo is riding off into the autobahn in 2020.

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33: Buick Cascada

The Buick line is a true testament to consumer loyalty. The brand was somewhat of a joke during the 1990s and the early part of the new millennium. Somehow, after decades of being cheaply made vehicles, the Buick lineup is finally stocked with high-quality cars.

2018 Buick Cascada Convertible — via: GM

Unfortunately for the Buick Cascada, a new convertible is just about a decade too late. Few have any interest in this Euro-inspired ride. But, if you are in the market for a luxury convertible, there’s never been a better time to snatch up a Buick Cascada before they’re gone.

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32: Buick LaCrosse

Another Buick is going to be hitting the chopping block as well, the Buick LaCrosse. What started as an attempt to bring consumers back into Buick showrooms after the disaster that was the Buick Century, Buick LaCrosse has kept a relatively low profile for the last 10 years. It’s a fun and well-appointed large vehicle.

But, as with most of the large sedans in the automotive world, there’s just no consumer demand for a ride such as this. The Buick LaCrosse, unfortunately, has to go.

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31: Cadillac CTS

Where do we begin? The Cadillac CTS was part of the revitalization that saved Cadillac 20 years ago and it has remained a part of the lineup ever since. But now, the Cadillac product line is full of similar sedans. The Cadillac CTS fails to stand out in a crowded luxury sedan market.

What started as a sporty and unique luxury sedan has now just become a mundane part of most rental fleets. T such the Cadillac CTS will be exiting production at the start of the new year. If you want one, now’s the time to act.

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30: Cadillac XTS

What was supposed to be the replacement for the aging V8-powered STS has become nothing more than a shadow of its predecessor. The Cadillac XTS is just about one of the most unknown models to come out of the brand. There’s nothing really special to make the car stand out from the crowd.

Aside from a roomy interior and a slew of optional luxury features, the Cadillac XTS is marred with a high price tag and little in the way of style. That’s why GM has decided to put the big, stately sedan on the chopping block for 2020.

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29: Chevrolet Cruze

GM has never really been able to capture the compact car market away from Honda and Toyota. The Chevrolet Cruze is the latest fatality in that losing compact car race. The Cruze isn’t necessarily a bad car, but the consumer loyalty to the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla has always been more than GM could compete with.

The outgoing Cruze model manages to be one of the best compact cars to come out of Detroit in terms of quality and features. But sadly, the rise of the crossover means this is the last year we’ll see the Cruze.

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28: Chevrolet Impala

The Chevrolet Impala has been around for decades as a big, comfortable family sedan. After two decades of obscurity, the current model manages to be one of the most advanced and well-received models to date.

Unfortunately, the Impala has never really been able to take market share from Japanese automakers in the family sedan segment. As such GM is putting all of their chips into the crossover craze. The Impala isn’t a bad car. But in terms of excitement, the big sedan is lacking.

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27: Chevrolet Volt

In terms of revolutionary electric vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt wasn’t the first, but it was the first mass-produced and affordable all-electric car that didn’t seem like a complete space odyssey. The Volt offered a comfortable, family-friendly car. It had a long driving range and a bevy of notable features such as OnStar.

But with the crossover craze in full swing, the Chevrolet Volt only represents a small portion of GM’s sales. As a result, the Volt is one of the first models to go.

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26: Ford Fiesta

Although it was introduced to much fanfare in 2011, the Ford Fiesta has fallen out of favor in recent years. Ford has decided to give it the ax as a result. The Fiesta has its fair share of unique features such as the performance-oriented ST variation.

But Ford has been outspoken in saying that it’s going to focus the brand on crossovers and pickup trucks. So the Fiesta is the last model that gets to stay around. If you’ve always wanted a hot hatch, now’s the time to get one before the Fiesta rides off into the sunset.

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25: Ford Taurus

The car that was once responsible for saving Ford is going to be no more after the 2020 model year. The Taurus was introduced in the late 80s. It managed to revolutionize the family sedan market with its innovative features and exceptional interior quality.

But the Ford Taurus that we see today has become nothing more than a filler for rental car fleets. The car is going to be discontinued after next year. Although the Taurus has redeeming qualities, the large sedan just doesn’t compare to other offerings from Honda and Toyota.

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24: Jaguar XJ

Jaguar has had a tough run in recent decades, offering a slew of sedans that nobody wanted due to shoddy build quality and reliability. The Jaguar XJ was a sedan that was supposed to revitalize the brand, offering a blend of performance and stylish looks.

But sales of the Jaguar XJ have dwindled to just about nothing. With the future of the brand hanging in the balance, the company has decided that 2020 will be the last year for the XJ. If you’ve always wanted a Jaguar performance sedan with a powerful V8 engine, 2020 is going to be the last year to get your hands on one.

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23: Lincoln MKC

Ford has been retooling the Lincoln brand as of late. The Lincoln MKC will be one of the first recent models to be discontinued. Although the MKC is a well-rounded crossover vehicle, it never fit in with the larger Navigator and similarly-sized Aviator crossover.

Luxury buyers are quite discerning when it comes to crossover vehicles. The MKC just offers too little for too much as a result. As such, Ford has decided to redesign the vehicle and release it as the Corsair for the 2020 model year.

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22: Lincoln MKT

Ford is cleaning up the Lincoln brand for the 2020 model year and another crossover to get the boot is going to be the Lincoln MKT. The model has been around for a few years now. The stylish three-row crossover has all of the features that you’d want in a luxury vehicle, but the price is much higher than comparable models. Consumers are also becoming confused with Lincoln’s vast lineup.

The MKT will be replaced by the Aviator, which offers a similar amount of interior volume as well as three rows of seats. Look for the MKT to be on the clearance rack as dealers clear inventory.

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21: Nissan 370Z Roadster

The current generation of the Nissan 370Z has been around since 2003. With few changes to the aged platform, the Nissan 370Z Roadster is going to be discontinued for the 2020 model year. Convertibles are going out of favor as consumer buying habits change. So the 370Z Roadster is selling in such low volume that Nissan is going to focus its efforts on other vehicles that are coming to fruition.

The 370Z Roadster does have a beautiful look to it. If you want one of the most fun-to-drive compacts on the market, the 370Z Roadster will be worth looking into before it’s gone.

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20: Nissan Rogue Hybrid

When it comes to a hot-selling vehicle, the Rogue is one of the hottest-selling vehicles on the market right now. It continues to keep Nissan dealerships rolling in the dough. But the Rogue Hybrid, on the other hand, hasn’t experienced such a warm welcome.

The low-volume seller aimed toward the environmentally friendly consumer is going to get the ax later this year. It will disappear for the 2020 model year. If you’ve always wanted a hybrid crossover vehicle, the Rogue Hybrid is worth looking into for its unique features and style.

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19: Smart EQ ForTwo

What started life as the Scion IQ, the Smart EQ ForTwo has mustered on for quite some time now. It sold in urban areas where parking is scarce. But for the rest of us, the Smart EQ ForTwo is just an unknown little novelty. As such, the brand is going to stop producing the golf cart-sized vehicle for the 2020 model year.

Smart EQ ForTwo via Motor Trend — via: Motor Trend

If you’ve been searching for a tiny car that’s a breeze to park and still has a bevy of modern, features the Smart EQ ForTwo is a relatively inexpensive little vehicle.

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18: Toyota Prius C

The Prius led the automotive industry during the recession and became a cultural icon for urban dwellers and outdoorsy types alike. But the current Prius C has no real place in the current Toyota lineup.

Crossover vehicles are sold by the dozen and every automotive brand wants to get into the fray. The Prius C is unique in terms of its features. But the design is outdated by now and the car is just sitting on Toyota lots as buyers head toward the HR-V and other compact crossovers.

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17: Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle was one of the most popular vehicles of the 1998 model year and brought Volkswagen from the brink of bankruptcy. But the current model Volkswagen Beetle is just not enough to bolster the sales anymore. So the automaker is going to phase the vehicle out for the 2020 model year.

Volkswagen is going to be shifting its business focus more toward electric vehicles. The Beetle may return as an all-electric vehicle down the road. But for now, the Beetle is going into the sunset.

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16: Volkswagen Golf SportWagen and Golf Alltrack

The Volkswagen Golf has always been a strong seller for the brand. But in recent years, the company has tried to enter new market segments with the compact hatchback. The Volkswagen Golf SportWagen and Golf Alltrack were an attempt to take some of the market shares that Subaru currently occupies with their Impreza series of compact cars.

Unfortunately, most diehard off-road wagon buyers are not going for the bait. So the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen and Golf Alltrack will be removed from the lineup for the 2020 model year as a result.

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15: Audi A3 Cabriolet

For the Audi brand, the A3 has been a staple of quality and affordability. If you didn’t have the money to get into a high-end Audi, the A3 still offered plenty of bang for the buck. But as the market trends toward crossover vehicles, the Cabriolet has had a hard time finding customers. The car isn’t bad, but the market for convertibles has become so limited. With Lexus now in the mix and a new Nissan Z on the way, competition is fiercer than ever.

That’s not to say that the A3 Cabriolet isn’t good, because in reality, it offers a stellar amount of value. The performance of the A3 Cabriolet matched that of the TT, but it offered more functionality if you had passengers. Nevertheless, if you still yearn for an Audi convertible, you can opt for the A5 or the TT.

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14: BMW 6 Series GT

The BMW brand has always been affiliated with innovation and performance, which is why the 6 Series GT is such a unique car. For 2020, the car is being phased out but a newly redesigned model is set to hit in a year or so. What makes the 6 Series GT such a unique ride? The 3.0-liter V6 (335 horsepower, 332 pound-feet of torque) is the first thing. The kind of performance that this car delivers is right in line with what you’d expect from a beamer.

With that aside, the car has some other strong attributes such as a very roomy interior and a four-door design. Whether you want a coupe or not, if you have a family, these cars aren’t always the most practical. With the 6 Series GT, you get the abundance of the creature comforts with the added performance you’d expect.

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13: BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

While the nameplate would have you think otherwise, the 6 Series Gran Coupe is indeed a sedan. The car has a cleverly-disguised pair of rear doors and a sloping design that follows the design of the 6 Series. Unfortunately, BMW is doing a revamp of these models and the Gran Coupe is going to be exiting the market. The 6 Series Gran Coupe is a great car when you factor in itsexcellent design. Sadly, the market for sedans is waning and a super-powered BMW just isn’t on the radar for most.

The 6 Series Gran Coupe is downright gorgeous to look at. But consumer tastes have changed so much in the past decade that automakers need to keep up with the pace. BMW is innovating a new replacement model that will be hitting the market sometime around 2021.

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12: Cadillac ATS

The ATS was a new model for Cadillac, replacing the STS as the midrange luxury sedan in the segment. There was a lot that was different for the ATS, instead of following the traditional formula of the V8 powered rear-wheel-drive sedan. The ATS just never managed to catch on with the buying public, instead appealing more to rental car fleets. It has been a long journey of obscurity for the ATS, but all in all, the car wasn’t that bad. Cadillac is planning a replacement for the ATS, but the brand is continuing the move toward crossover vehicles.

The performance was a strong suit for the ATS but the bland styling left the car in the trenches. Cadillac was attempting to position this as a BMW fighter, but in the end, changes in the marketplace prevailed. Nevertheless, now is a good time to find a deal on a reasonably-equipped ATS before they’re gone forever.

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11: Cadillac ATS-V

In addition to the standard ATS being canceled, the V-Series is hitting the road as well. Cadillac positioned the V-Series as a companion to the popular CTS-V. The problem is that the market for these cars is already saturated and the ATS-V just didn’t offer much in the way of performance to justify its price tag. When you think of what a performance sedan should be, the ATV-V matches a lot of the characteristics. The 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 cranking out 464 hp is a great setup, but consumers crave a V8.

Part of the magic of the original CTS-V was the fact that you got Corvette’s power in a lightweight Cadillac. Nevertheless, the ATS-V will soon be a collector’s item and you might want to get one before it’s too late. GM performance sedans are quickly fading away and the ATS-V will be among the casualties.

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10: Lincoln Continental

After a much-hyped release and an expensive advertising campaign starring Matthew McConaughey, the Continental is no more. The car had a long history in the automotive marketplace for being a car that you’d equate with prestige. The Continental is a beautiful sedan, and there was a lot of effort put into the design. The car is missing a V8, which may have persuaded a few more customers to buy it. Lincoln is looking to follow the rest of the automotive industry’s shift to crossover vehicles.

We’re not sure if this is such a smart thing for the brand, but sadly, the Continental is one of the first casualties. You’ll be able to find a 2020 model year Continental but after that, the car will be gone for good. Sales were never anything amazing and this could have been one of the defining factors of the big Lincoln’s demise.

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9: Infiniti QX30

At this point, the Infiniti brand has become more lost then it ever was before. When Infiniti was introduced to the American automotive market by Nissan in 1989, the cars were unique and had an identity of their own. The QX30 is a rushed attempt to cash in on the rise of high-riding crossovers, as most of the Infiniti brand has become dated. Infiniti cars share platforms with most of the Nissan lineup of vehicles, and consumers are no longer blind to this fact. Therefore, if you’re in the market for a luxury car you might overlook Infiniti.

The QX30 has some good attributes to it such as high-quality interior materials. But the car is still basically a Nissan, and nowadays that works against the Infiniti brand. With the QX30 being axed there will be a void in the Infiniti lineup. Nissan is also prepping to release the Z Pronto and this could spell the end for an upcoming performance model.

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8: Ford Flex

The Ford Flex is another model that isn’t going to see the light of day anymore. While Ford did put a lot of effort into the design its been a long 11 years. In that period, the Flex has become a relic of outdated Ford design, and most cars and SUVs are offering a much more advanced experience. There were some cool things about the Flex such as the unique flat design and seven-passenger seating. There is no doubt that the Flex had a special spot in the hearts of enthusiasts.

But sadly you need more than enthusiasts to sell a car, and the Flex just wasn’t mainstream enough to keep going. The Flex had a lot of cargo space and a lot of passenger volume to make it appealing. However, the extreme styling was just more than most people could fathom and the car was overlooked.

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7: Lexus GS 300

The Lexus GS300 has been a fixture of the brand since the 1990s, and unfortunately, 2020 is the last hurrah for the car. The F series is going to be the last Lexus GS model to come out of the factory, and if you enjoyed this sports sedan you’ll want to act fast. Consumer tastes are shifting away from the sport sedan market and Lexus is changing their lineup. Sadly, the GS300 was a great car but the platform has become aged. Buyers in this segment are starting to shift towards a different style of vehicle.

Lexus has done a great job of differentiating itself from the other luxury car brands on the market. But in a competitive world where crossovers are taking over there just isn’t room for a big luxury sedan anymore. The GS300 will live on in the used car world, and it still provides a very exciting driving experience.

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6: Cadillac CT6

Another Cadillac on the list being canceled is the CT6. Announced late in the game, the CT6 just isn’t measuring up to the sales expectations GM had for it. In addition to that, consumer tastes for sedans are waning and with that comes the need to cut costs. Cadillac is going to focus efforts on the redesigned Escalade and new additions to the lineup. The CT5 had some strong points to it, the car was a major upgrade over the previous CTS. But as Cadillac moves into a new decade, the brand needs to differentiate itself.

The CT6 is among quite a few Cadillac sedans that will no longer see the light of day. The car had some interesting features such as Super Cruise technology. Cadillac has been improving the quality of their sedans for a long time and the CT6 is a sad reminder that the crossover is the wave of the future.

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5: Front-Engine Chevrolet Corvette

The C7 is done and the C8 Corvettes are here. The car no longer has a front-engined design and it looks as though the brand will stick with that. The change in design is a tough pill to swallow for many die-hard Corvette enthusiasts to swallow. The Corvette is now entering legitimate supercar territory and its design changes are abundant. The C7 was a great design that combined the best aspects of the previous generations. As with every generation of the Corvette, we see more changes in design and performance.

There is no doubt that the C7 will hold its value for quite some time. The car had many new technological marvels that hadn’t been seen on a Corvette before. The design aspects of the car coupled with the performance make it a track dream. The C8 is breaking new ground for the future of the Corvette brand.

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4: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LD/GMC Sierra 1500 Limited

Like the Ram Classic, GM also carries over a model year of pickup trucks when a new model is presented. This helps to alleviate the rush in production and make sure that quality was on par. The 1500 LD was a great truck platform and served the company well, making many improvements over the GM bailout platform that had come before it. There’s no doubt that these are some of the most efficient trucks to ever hit the market. The Sierra 1500 Limited marked the true transition into the luxury range in which trucks are headed.

GM has carried over a classic body style with each of its pickup truck generations. You can expect more than a few of these to be sitting on the dealership lots with huge incentives to buy. With the durable Vortec motor and the options in the interior, you can’t go wrong with either of these pickup trucks.

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3: Ferrari 488

The Ferrari 488 is a great sports car for several reasons. Not only is the exterior styling some of the most beautiful that you’ll see on a car, but the performance is also top-notch powered by the 3.9 L V8, a staple of Ferrari innovation. The car is being replaced by an even more powerful model as the company gears up to battle the brand new mid-engined Corvette models. The 488 has managed to garner a cult-like following in the automotive community as well as the media.

Dubbed as “the most powerful V8” in the history of Ferrari, the car has a special presence that few have matched. Sports cars come and go and Ferrari is constantly changing the game with new designs. The 488 is a special vehicle that has a lot to offer in terms of design and the historical value of a Ferrari.

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2: Hyundai Santa Fe XL

Even Hyundai is not immune to changes in the automotive industry, and the company has discontinued the Santa Fe XL. The reason for this is probably so that the car doesn’t coincide with the launch of the Palisade and the Kia Telluride. The three-row design of the Santa Fe XL would have confused potential shoppers. The Sante Fe itself is one of the original crossover vehicles on the market and has experienced a long run.

There were some interesting features about the Hyundai Santa Fe XL, but it never managed to gain much traction with shoppers. The car has always been a solid seller for Hyundai, but not the breakout success that the company wanted. If you want a three-row crossover for a great deal, the Hyundai Santa Fe XL might be worth looking into.

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1: VW E-Golf

It would appear that all automakers have tried to jump on the electric car bandwagon, but few have had success. Tesla pretty much rules the roost as an electric car maker, and VW was trying to get into the fray with the E-Golf. There is a lot to like about the E-Golf but the car just hasn’t gained the traction the company would have liked. Volkswagen is working on a new batch of electric vehicles intending to eventually become an all-electric automaker.

The VW E-Golf is a relatively well-designed car, but in the scheme of things the car just isn’t well developed. The electric car market is brand new and the E-Golf doesn’t stand out enough to grab a decent share of the market. It will be interesting to see what new electric cars VW will be introducing in the place of the E-Golf.

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End Of The Road: 35 Iconic Cars Set To Disappear In 2020

35: Audi TT

34: BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

33: Buick Cascada

32: Buick LaCrosse

31: Cadillac CTS

30: Cadillac XTS

29: Chevrolet Cruze

28: Chevrolet Impala

27: Chevrolet Volt

26: Ford Fiesta

25: Ford Taurus

24: Jaguar XJ

23: Lincoln MKC

22: Lincoln MKT

21: Nissan 370Z Roadster

20: Nissan Rogue Hybrid

19: Smart EQ ForTwo

18: Toyota Prius C

17: Volkswagen Beetle

16: Volkswagen Golf SportWagen and Golf Alltrack

15: Audi A3 Cabriolet

14: BMW 6 Series GT

13: BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

12: Cadillac ATS

11: Cadillac ATS-V

10: Lincoln Continental

9: Infiniti QX30

8: Ford Flex

7: Lexus GS 300

6: Cadillac CT6

5: Front-Engine Chevrolet Corvette

4: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LD/GMC Sierra 1500 Limited

3: Ferrari 488

2: Hyundai Santa Fe XL

1: VW E-Golf

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