We made it to November—the second to the last month of the year 2020. Almost two months away, we will all be celebrating another new year. This year has been filled with a lot of events that affected our daily lives and greatly impacted many businesses including the automotive industry.
We see different vehicles come and go—that means some cars, SUVs, and trucks will not be renewed for another model year. Automakers are excited to release their list of upcoming cars for 2021. However, some vehicles will get axed and rust in peace.
Dodge Grand Caravan
The Dodge Grand Caravan is a dainty American minivan. You may have seen people upgrading their third-generation Grand Caravan with air suspension kits which you can buy one from 4Wheelonline. However, since 2010, the sales for this Dodge van had slumped. This caravan will now take its grand exit.
What’s great:
The V6 engine is considered one of the key features of the Dodge Grand Caravan. The 2020 edition is available in multiple trims which provides people with a nice range of choices. The base level is called SE, the mid-level option is called SE Plus, and the premium trim is called SXT.
This vehicle comes with 283 HP and a displacement of 3.6 liters. It is a minivan but gives you a towing capacity of 3,600 pounds. Even with a full load of passengers or cargo, this vehicle feels like it is ready to tackle any terrain. Up to seven people can fit inside this vehicle.
Passengers will not be feeling claustrophobic because it has a roomy cabin. This Dodge van is created with “Stow ‘n Go” seats which is a great feature when used as a family car. The legroom in all three rows makes this minivan quite comfortable, as there are two seats in the middle row then three seats in the back. The second-row seats can be folded and stored within the in-floor compartments. When those seats are not being stowed in the in-floor compartments, you can use that space to put smaller items. Moreover, the seats in the third row can be folded too, so you can have a completely level floor when you need to put a ladder, bike, and other larger items that can fit inside the cabin.
What’s not:
Even though the Grand Caravan has a solid engine under its hood, it is slow to accelerate. People who like to hit the gas pedal hard on the highway may feel a little underwhelmed due to its slow acceleration.
One of the biggest drawbacks to the Dodge Grand Caravan is the infotainment system. It still does not have smartphone integration; Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It lacks the features that you expect a new vehicle would have.
The latest 2020 models have no major changes and just an outdated cabin design. Its safety features can disappoint anyone hoping to find an affordable vehicle that comes with advanced driver-assist technology.
Modern safety systems like blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, or lane keep assist, as well as a rearview camera, are not included in this Dodge van. Another problem is the fuel economy because it takes a lot of gas, so it will require your frequent trips to the gas station.
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey competes in the mid-size vehicle market with its superior off-road capabilities. Although it seems more of a minivan, it has a below-average price. There were three versions available, but the lineup has been simplified down to just two for the latest edition. The journey has ended with this Dodge SUV and will be discontinued in 2021.
What’s great:
Dodge is known for its functional and spacious cabin and cargo area. The Dodge Journey is made with a large cabin that is available in different interior colors. Seven people can ride in it which is great for families who need a spacious vehicle. This Dodge SUV has comfortable seating because there are reclining seats in the second and third rows. It has an expansive cargo area that sets itself apart with its standard in-floor cargo compartment. You can organize or hide valuables using the in-floor compartments, and the second-row floor can be doubled as a cooler.
The Dodge Journey is created with easy-to-use technology and an impressive infotainment system. It is built with a 4.3-inch touchscreen (8.4-inch is also available) and a UConnect system. Not only having to rely only on the touchscreen, but the integrated knobs can also be used for control. Selected models of this Dodge SUV include navigation and satellite radio, as well as a rear entertainment system. This vehicle surely makes the journey fun with its 9-inch screen that can flip down for the second row. It is great for kids who love to watch their cartoons, movies, or even play video games.
This vehicle has a distinctive exterior style with its LED taillights and stylish 17-inch alloy wheels, as well as a rear camera and rear parking sensors. It is available in various exterior colors such as Billet, Granite, Ceramic Grey, Verde Oliva, Pitch Black, Contusion Blue, Blood Orange, Redline, Vice White, and White Noise. Another nice feature is its trailer sway control with a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds. A fully independent suspension can also be availed with the Dodge Journey. It features the MacPherson front struts and a multi-link suspension in the rear.
What’s not:
Dodge Journey has impressive features but the engine lacks punch. Although it is made with a V6 engine, people are dismayed with its dull handling and slow acceleration. It has a poor reliability rating and only has limited safety features. The 2020 edition is not all-wheel-drive (AWD) which is popular among SUVs.
The trim choice is also limited in the 2020 version of this Dodge SUV. Just like the Grand Caravan, it also does not have a smartphone integration and Bluetooth is not a standard feature either. The infotainment system is good, but it still lacks some other tech and safety features to compete with other SUVs in the market.
Honda Fit Hatchback
Honda fans outside the States do not have to worry because they will still be able to purchase the new generation of the Honda Fit hatchback. However, this subcompact hatchback does not “fit” the bill and will be waving goodbye to America. After the 2020 model, Honda has decided to drop the hatchback from its U.S. lineup.
What’s great:
Although small, the Honda Fit hatchback has amazing power output and it is surprisingly spacious for being a hatchback. Getting this car through tight streets and parking lots is a breeze. The 2020 edition is available in automatic and manual transmissions.
This car has precise steering with good handling capabilities. If you are going on a long road trip using this car, the bumpy ride is not much of a problem since it is built with a nice suspension system.
The design of the windshield gives a lot of space for viewing what is in front of the vehicle. The side mirrors also provide excellent coverage of the blind spots with the help of the blind-spot monitoring system.
The front seats are highly adjustable which is great for passengers who need more space to stretch out their legs. The rear seats have plenty of leg space even if the vehicle looks small on the outside. It also has a system that makes the rear seat highly adjustable, so you can configure the cargo area to fit your needs.
What’s not:
The interface of the infotainment system on this hatchback is difficult to use. Using the controls and going through the menu settings can be frustrating. It can also be distracting, especially when you are trying to keep your eyes on the road.
Even though the rear seats are adjustable, its step-over is a minor problem. If you close the door in the rear, the floor becomes a bit uneven which can cause some difficulties with getting in or out.
The braking system of the Honda Fit hatchback works great but the pedal feels soft beneath the driver’s foot. Another issue is the noise that seeps in the cabin which can be caused by wind, road, and even the engine.
Ford Sedans
General Motors have worked toward a sedan-free lineup, so Ford may do the same. The automaker is ending their “traditional sedan” product lines in the US market. According to Kumar Galhotra, President of Ford North America, and VP of Ford Motor Company, “The sedan segment itself has been in decline for a very long time, and that decline has been accelerating over the last few years.”
Compared to trucks, muscle cars, and SUVs, Ford sedans do not have that much of an impact. Ford Motor Company has decided to pull the plug-in producing sedans starting 2021. Aside from the struggling sales of the Ford sedans, they closed the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne.
This is an effort to save money and stay competitive in the market. This move is seen as a balancing act for the company and it will pave a way in improving their other line of auto products such as crossovers and SUVs, as well as their pickup trucks and muscle cars. Ford has completely redesigned their Escapes and Explorers, revived the Bronco, improved the EcoSport, and will be unveiling their first electric performance vehicle called the Mustang Mach E crossover.
Ford was a lot more up their sleeve. Here are the following Ford sedan and sports that will be discontinued in 2021:
- Ford Fusion
The Fusion will leave a hole in the lineup because it will not be replaced with another Ford sedan. It will be the first time that the automaker will have no sedan in its lineup since 1923.
- Lincoln MKZ and Continental
The Continental will be retired for the fourth time in history, as its production will be put to a halt by the end of 2020. The MKZ has the same fate as the Ford Fusion since the production of Bronco Sport will take the place at the Hermosillo plant.
- Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R
These cars are considered as supercars on a budget. They will surely be missed because it marks the end of an era for manual transmission Mustang Shelby cars.
Final lap
The vehicles mentioned above have been on the road for decades. As the auto industry continues to move forward, some models will inevitably be left behind. Maybe after a long wait, we will see them again with more modern and improved features.
But for now, 2020 marks the end of the road for these beloved vehicles.
4Wheel Online Blog - Automotive News 