The biggest surprise on the discontinued cars list was perhaps the Ford Escape Hybrid. Two other vehicles that will miss the 2013 car lineup are the Lexus HS 250h and Mitsubishi Eclipse. Which car makes and models could replace these vehicle choices?
Discontinued: Ford Escape Hybrid
Hybrid Cars announced in October 2011 that the Ford Escape Hybrid would join the multitude of discontinued car models in 2013. Slated for replacing the hybrid were the C-Max hybrid and a C-Max plug-in version. If only an Escape will do, Ford offers the 2013 Escape S, which retails with a starting MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) of $22,470, features a 2.5-liter engine, offers 98.1 cubic feet of passenger volume and 67.8 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the front seats. It promises 22 city miles and 31 highway miles to the gallon of gasoline. If the drop from the 2013 car lineup has soured your taste for Ford, try Mitsubishi. The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander ES, as noted by Edmunds, features a 2.4-liter engine, starts at $22,695, promises 23 city- and 28 highway miles to the gallon and has a cargo capacity of 36.2 cubic feet, if all seats are in place. The total cargo capacity, should you remove some seats, is 72.6 cubic feet.
Discontinued: Lexus HS 250h
Kelley Blue Book notes that Lexus intends to replace the HS 250h with the Lexus ES 300h Hybrid. As detailed by Motor Authority, the Lexus HS 250h fell far short of its ambitious 30,000-per-year sales goal. In fact, 2011 closed with only 2,864 models rolling off dealer lots. Prior to that, the brand only moved 10,663 HS 250h models in 2010. The 2013 Lexus ES 300h is a five-passenger luxury sedan that gets 40 city- and 39 highway miles to the gallon. With a top track speed of 112 miles per hour, it falls short of the ES model’s 130 miles per hour. The 12.1 cubic feet trunk capacity compares favorably to the HS. Car and Driver places the estimated MSRP at $38,000. Another option is the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid. Although most everyone is still mum on the MSRP, the carmaker is quick to point to the 40 city- and 39 highway miles this car gets to the gallon of gasoline.
Discontinued: Mitsubishi Eclipse
The 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse gets 20 city- and 28 highway miles to the gallon. Starting at $19,499, it is an affordable sports car wannabe. Yet as noted by the New York Times, the market simply did not support the Eclipse and Galant. To replace these car makes and models, Mitsubishi will focus on plug-in hybrids, which will hit the market in 2015. If an Eclipse-style MSRP is necessary for a tight budget, take a closer look at the 2013 Hyundai Elantra coupe. Car and Driver places the starting price at $18,220, which offers you a vehicle with 28 city- and 39 highway miles to the gallon of gas. With only two doors, it fits the mold of the would-be sports car.
Looking forward to 2014
Auto Blog warns that while the Dodge Avenger is still part of the 2013 car lineup, it will meet its demise in 2014. Torque News alerts of the scheduled 2014 discontinuation of the Jeep Compass, while Forbes reports that 2014 will spell impending doom for the Chrysler Town and Country.
