Six popular cars that have been KILLED OFF in 2025 - including Britain's second most-owned motor

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With the shift to electric vehicles accelerating at a pace, brands are axing some well-known and much-loved internal combustion engine models to make way for a new wave of EV replacements.

And the year 2025 has claimed some monumental automotive scalps.

From upmarket superminis to legendary roadsters, some notable automotive icons have been put to the chopping block in the last 12 months.

One of these killed-off-cars is a huge favourite among UK drivers. 

Some 12million examples of this evergreen motor have been produced in total. It was Britain's most-bought new model for a decade stretch and there are still over 1.3 million registered today.

Here's a look at six extremely significant motors that have been long-time fixtures on our streets and driveways but have either been butchered in 2025 or confirmed for the cull in 2026...

1. Ford Focus (1998-2025)

Out of focus: Ford confirmed production of the much-loved Focus came to an end on Friday 14 November after 27 years of continuous outputs 

The Focus first arrived in 1998 and became an instant hit for its dashing looks, practical interior, brilliant drive and affordable price

One of Britain's favourite cars of the last three decades is officially no more!

The last Ford Focus rolled off the production line on 14 November, bringing to an end a 27-year lifecycle for one of the nation's most-loved family motors.

Having amassed over 12 million global sales since hitting showrooms in 1998 as the direct replacement for the Ford Escort, the Focus hatchback is the second most common car on our roads (behind the Fiesta, which was axed two years earlier).

When it was announced that Focus outputs would be halted in 2025, a spokesman for the car firm told us: 'We remain committed to serving our Focus customers with ongoing service, parts, and support.'

Having launched in 1998, the Focus won European Car of the Year in 1999. Prince William was pictured learning to drive in one the same year.

The Focus quickly cemented itself as the nation's favourite car for a decade.

It topped the new car sales charts for 10 consecutive years from 1999 to 2008. It was dethroned by the Fiesta - which then held the crown for the next 12 years.

2. Audi A1 (2010-2026)

The Audi A1 debuted in 2010 to be a premium supermini rival to the Mini hatchback and VW Polo

The compact Audi spawned one of the greatest modern era exclusive hot hatches: the staggering all-wheel-drive A1 Quattro, of which just 19 exampled (in left-hand-drive) were available in the UK

Audi bosses confirm the A1 will get the boot in 2026, and it won't be replaced with a direct successor 

Audi's Mini hatchback rival is for the chop in 2026, it has been confirmed by the German car giant.

The cheapest and smallest model in Audi's line-up was introduced 15 years ago to tap into the then-expanding premium small car segment, also rivalling the VW Polo.

Originally sold as a three-door in 2010, the five-door Sportback arrived a year late. And the A1 also spawned one of the greatest exclusive modern-era hot hatches, the rally-inspired A1 Quattro, of which 333 were produced - and only 19 were made available to UK customers. 

In 2018, Audi unveiled the second-generation version, though this will be the last.

No direct replacement has been lined up, which follows suit with rival brands who no longer feel it's financially viable to produce small, more affordable cars and are instead switching attention to crossover and SUVs. 

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner told Autocar earlier in the year that there 'definitely will be no successor for the A1' but promised there will be 'models in the lower A-segment' in the future.

Audi too will end production of the A1 based Q2, though a compact electric crossover will replace that shortly.

In 2025, Audi has also axed the A4 nameplate, with its compact executive saloon now carrying the A5 badge. 

3. BMW Z3/Z4 (1995-2026)

BMW's legendary Z roadster will cease production in 2026 - and there's no model to directly replace it, bosses say. The current Z range dates back to the Z3, debuted in 1995

The Z3 was a huge success story for BMW in the late 1990s, and by the early 2000s it was replaced by the Z4

The BMW Z4 is now in its third - and final - iteration. The last models produced before outputs cease is the Final Edition (pictured). The assembly line stops making Z4s in March

The BMW Z car originally dates back to the Z1 of 1989 to 1991, but the roadster really became popularised with the arrival of the Z3 in 1995, before it was replaced by the Z4.

But BMW sees no place for a small two-door convertible in its range any longer, having confirmed that production of the Z4 will cease in March 2026 and that no replacement is in the pipeline.

Britons will still be able to order a 'Final Edition' model from late January, but this limited run of roadsters is expected to sell out rapidly.  

The 4 Series and 8 Series convertibles will remain in showrooms, providing customers with some drop-top options.

The Final Edition cars will have a number of exclusive exterior touches, including a Frozen Matt Black paint, unique high-gloss Shadowline trim, and red M Sport brake callipers. Inside, there's red stitching on the seats and dash.

Customers will have the choice of two engines: the 197bhp sDrive20i or hotter 340bhp M40i.

While the Z3 was an instant hit and even appeared in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye, marking the first time Bond drove a non-British car issued by Q Branch.

In 2002, it was replaced by the E85 Z3 and in 2009 that was succeeded by the E89 with a hard-top roof.

A third-generation Z4 (G29) came in 2018 as part of a joint venture with Toyota and its sister car, the Toyota GR Supra and its eight-year lifecycle comes to an end in 2026.

The Supra too is being dumped in 2026, while BMW's X4 is also primed for the chop. 

4. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (1996-2025)

The first-generation Porsche Boxster 986 was launched in 1996 and single-handedly saved the German firm from the brink

In 2005, Porsche also introduced the mid-engine Cayman, which was the coupe variant of the Boxster

The Mk4 Boxster - and Mk3 Cayman - bow out with the choice of 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines or the 4.0-litre flat-six powerplant for the range-topping GTS versions of each. The outgoing models - first launched in 2016

Often referred to as the 'poor man's Porsche', the Boxster has officially been axed with the German sports car maker no longer taking factory orders.

Having debuted in 1996, the mid-engined roadster has for the last 29 years provided a more affordable step into Porsche ownership, expanding the opportunity to buy into the premium brand without having to pay through the nose for a flagship 911.

But having single-handedly saved Porsche from the brink of bankruptcy in the 1990s, the popular two-seat convertible - and its coupe sibling first launched in 2005 - has been discontinued in preparation for the arrival of a more expensive electric replacement.

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Porsche UK's online configurator states that it is 'no longer possible to place new factory orders' for either the 718 Boxster or the Cayman coupe.

A Porsche spokesman told us there will be stock of both cars in dealerships into 2026 before the 718’s 'EV future is happening'.

Customers are being redirected to franchised dealers to snap up whatever remaining stock there is of new models before they disappear from showrooms for good.

The Mk4 Boxster - and Mk3 Cayman - bow out with the choice of 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines or the 4.0-litre flat-six powerplant for the range-topping GTS versions of each.

The outgoing models - first launched in 2016 - were priced from £53,800 (718 Cayman) up to £77,300 (718 Boxster GTS 4.0).

Their battery-powered successors are due to be unveiled this year or early next, with production due to commence imminently.

5. Honda Civic Type R (1997-2026)

The Honda Civic EP3 of the early noughties has become a modern classic and is widely considered one of the best hot hatchbacks of all time

The Civic Type R has epitomised the boy racer scene for decades, thanks to its scintillating performance, big exhausts and even larger spoilers

Honda's Civic Type R Ultimate Edition will be the last version of the long-running hot hatch after 28 years

Honda this summer confirmed that its hot hatch hero, the Civic Type R, will bow out for good in 2026.

Unveiling an 'Ultimate Edition' version at the start of June, it said the Civic Type R's 28-year lifespan is being ended by the EU's stringent emissions regulations.

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Honda said it's removing the Type R from its line-up next year because 'the industry is changing and our model range is having to evolve with it in accordance with European legislation' being introduced in the next 12 months.

Only 40 Ultimate Edition Type Rs will be made - and just 10 are guaranteed for UK customers, with prices likely to exceed £50,000.

Its lineage dates back to the sixth-generation EK9 Civic, which was the first to carry the Type R performance badge between 1997 and 2000.

But it was the EP3 debuting in 2003 that put the Type R nameplate amongst rivals like Ford's RS, Mercedes' AMG and Volkswagen's GTI performance lines.

Six generations have come in total, which is some modern-era heritage. 

6. VW Touareg (2002-2026)

The first-generation Touareg (pictured) arrived in 2002. It was developed alongside the original Porsche Cayenne - the German sports car maker's first foray into the SUV segment

If you couldn't quite afford a Porsche Cayenne Turbo in 2007, the Touareg R50 was a great alternative. Powered by a 5.0-litre V10 diesel engine putting out 345bhp, it was one of the original super SUVs

Volkswagen will wield the axe on the Touareg after a 24-year production run. It will see the German outfit leave the ultra-competitive luxury SUV segment

German car giant Volkswagen will axe another evergreen combustion engine model from its range next year as it continues to accelerate towards its all-electric future.

The brand will wield the axe on a vehicle it has been selling for the best part of 25 years - and had once proved immensely popular with large families.

Insiders at the Wolfsburg manufacturer told Autocar that production of the Touareg SUV will end in 2026.

Having first launched in 2002, VW has shifted more than 1.1 million worldwide across three generations.

Since the Phaeton luxury saloon was terminated in 2016, Touareg has been VW's most prestigious nameplate and the pinnacle of its petrol and diesel-engined line-up.

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However, sales have tumbled to around 1,100 units per annum in recent years as rivals from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche have dominated the large executive SUV market. 

Touareg was originally developed at the turn of the century alongside the Porsche Cayenne - the German sports car company's (which is also owned by VW Group) first foray into the SUV segment, with the pair launching in 2002.

They have since continued to share platforms, though Cayenne has gone on to be a higher volume seller thanks to its badge appeal.

The move to kill it off in 2026 means that Volkswagen will no longer occupy the most executive SUV class, which in recent times has welcomed major players of the likes of Bentley (Bentayga), Ferrari (Purosangue), Lamborghini (Urus) and Maserati (Levante).

With more competition - and premium German rivals extending their offerings in this market - the Touareg has become a very unpopular option. 

With no direct successor planned, its demise will close the book on a 24-year availability of what bosses once dubbed the brand's 'true flagship model'.

According to a Volkswagen statement given in 2023 - when the Touareg was last facelifted - more than 1.13 million have been sold worldwide.

Some 58,200 of these have been delivered to customers in the UK.

If you're considering getting your hands on one of the last Touaregs available, you might want to read our full comprehensive review to see if it's good value.