8 Discontinued Models That Actually Make Sense for Automakers to Revive

Many calls for certain discontinued cars to be brought back are misguided. Calling for wagons and large sedans to make a return is unrealistic and completely ignores that there is little consumer demand for such vehicles, hence why they were discontinued in the first place. The same is true for certain brands, like Saab and Pontiac, for example, which won’t be revived simply because of outcries from the fringes of automotive fandom. These calls are typically informed by nostalgia and not common sense.

Automakers have many iconic models under their umbrella that weren’t super successful when they were originally launched. Maybe they were ahead of their time or the market conditions weren’t right, so they were discontinued, but here are eight models that could be a better fit in today’s car market and have a real chance at being successful. 

1. Nissan Xterra 

One of the biggest mistakes Nissan made in recent years was cancelling the Xterra in 2015, right when the off-roading craze was starting to take off. The Xterra was to Nissan what the 4Runner is to Toyota, an SUV that shared its platform with an existing truck. In the time since Nissan cancelled the Xterra, Toyota sold 69,000 4Runners in Canada, not to mention its international sales success. Competitors continue to sell dedicated off-roaders to great success, like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. It wouldn’t be too difficult to recreate the Xterra, as it was previously based on the Frontier, a truck Nissan currently has in its lineup. Converting the existing Frontier into an SUV shouldn’t be too difficult, and it could see some success today, especially with a boxy retro design. 

2. Chrysler Aspen 

The Chrysler brand desperately needs something new. The brand currently sells only one model, the Pacifica minivan, which is eight years old at this point. Chrysler could add to its lineup by bringing back the Aspen name. 

The Aspen was based on the Dodge Durango, but was marketed as a more luxurious option. When it was still in production in the late 2000s, the Aspen surprisingly featured a hybrid V8 to help improve fuel economy, making it very ahead of its time. The Aspen could potentially be sold as a flagship model for the Chrysler brand, just as it was in the 2000s. It could be Chrysler’s return to opulence because selling a large three-row SUV under this brand would make a lot of sense. It could share a platform with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which is a mild hybrid. Ford and GM have many luxurious three-row SUVs that continue to sell well, and the fact that Chrysler doesn’t is a missed opportunity. 

3. Honda S2000

The cries for the return of the S2000 are loud. The S2000 is probably one of the most fondly remembered sports cars of the 2000s. It had all the elements that make a sports car good: rear-wheel drive, an exciting high-revving engine, a manual transmission, and simple good looks. It was also very reliable, to the point where 20-year-old S2000s are selling for nearly their MSRP on the secondhand market. 

Honda hasn’t sold a sports car in North America or Europe since the S2000, and considering how beloved it is, a revival would likely be successful. Toyota already sells the Supra, and Nissan has the Z, so making a car to rival them both would make a lot of sense. Honda would have to do this correctly by making an S2000 that’s as close to the original formula as possible.

4. Pontiac Aztek 

When the Pontiac Aztek was showcased in the early 2000s, it promised a lot but delivered very little. The Aztek was marketed as a lifestyle crossover with a funky design, and when the concept was shown off, it was cool. However, when the production model came around, its design was changed to fit on GM’s minivan platform, resulting in the ugly duckling we know today. Still, the Aztek was ahead of its time for many reasons.

Resurrecting the Aztek today would be tricky, as Pontiac no longer exists, and there’s very little chance that GM would bring that brand back for one vehicle. Instead, the Aztek should go to GMC just like the Hummer did. This would be a good way for GM to have a dedicated off-roader with a recognizable name to rival the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler (especially since the Blazer name already made a comeback with Chevrolet as a compact crossover). The new Aztek should be outlandish, fully embracing its wacky roots but making it look cool by today’s standards. This SUV should also be off-road capable and give drivers the adventurous Aztek that was originally promised, attachable tent and all. Plus, GM can hire Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad as spokespeople for the new Aztek’s marketing campaign.

5. Subaru Baja 

The original Subaru Baja was a small pickup truck based on the Subaru Outback. It was not very successful and had a short production of only three years. If the Baja were to be brought back, it should target the size and capabilities of the Hyundai Santa Cruz or Ford Maverick. With the new Outback being more off-road oriented and towing capable, this seems like the perfect time to revive the Baja name as another competitor in the small pickup truck segment. The Outback has a rated towing capability of 1,588 kg (3,500 lb), not far off from the Maverick's 1,814 kg (4,000 lb). Subaru has a lot of the elements required to make this small truck a reality.

6. Lamborghini LM002 

While Lamborghini already has the Urus SUV and its performance is spectacular, its styling leaves a bit to be desired. The Mercedes G-Wagen has been successful for decades as a status symbol, and while most of its owners aren’t buying it for its incredible off-road capability, its rugged look mixed with its luxurious interior is what makes it so sought after. 

Lamborghini could out-G-Wagen the G-Wagen by reviving its LM002 SUV from the 1980s. The LM002 was Lamborghini’s ultra-expensive SUV built to tackle any terrain in style and comfort with the help of a V12 engine. Design would be key to the new LM002; it should be boxy, rugged, and insane. If Lamborghini were really crazy, it could put a V12 in it, but a V8 is more likely. While the boxy look would be a huge departure for the brand because everything it makes is shaped like a wedge, a new off-road SUV inspired by the LM002 would undoubtedly be a hit with wealthy clients.

7. Chevrolet El Camino 

Reinventing the El Camino is tricky because it was a pickup truck that shared a platform with a sedan, which is something that doesn’t happen anymore in the automotive world. If the El Camino were to come back, it should be a small pickup to rival the Ford Maverick. However, if Chevy were to bring back the El Camino name, it would be important to make it as cool as the original.

There should be a two-door version with a longer bed on offer, as well as a more common four-door. Styling should have a hint of retro flair — maybe rounded headlights — and a selection of fun colours to pay homage to the original El Caminos. There should also be some emphasis on making performance versions, as the El Camino had a reputation for being popular with hot rodders. The El Camino was a fun little truck, just as the new one should be. 

8. Buick GNX 

Buick desperately needs something exciting in its lineup. The Buick brand isn’t known for selling exciting cars, with one exception: the GNX. Bringing back the GNX can be done, but it has to be done right. In the 1980s, the original GNX shook the automotive world, as it was faster than Ferraris of the period. Its looks were also iconic; the blacked-out, wide, boxy design made the GNX look menacing. A revived GNX should look just as evil. 

As for the powertrain, the original GNX had a twin-turbo V6, something GM already has in its arsenal with the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. Taking that engine, upgrading it to be more powerful, and putting it in an awesome body would make for a fantastic halo car for Buick. The GNX shouldn’t be made in large numbers, either. Just over 500 units were produced, which should be the same if a new GNX were to come along, keeping the car exclusive. Maybe Buick could hire rapper Kendrick Lamar to help promote a revived GNX.