Cars discontinued in Malaysia in 2023

As automakers respond to evolving consumer preferences, economic considerations, and the global push towards sustainable mobility, several new cars were launched in Malaysia last year. However, at the same time, certain models were axed from the lineup for various reasons. In today’s article, we will discuss all the cars that bid farewell to the Malaysian roads in 2023. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Honda BR-V

In March 2023, Honda Malaysia announced the discontinuation of its much-loved and successful seven-seater SUV, the BR-V. The Japanese automaker sees more potential in the SUV segment below the HR-V, and that’s why it decided to drop the BR-V and launch the compact WR-V. 

The BR-V was available in two variants - E and V, priced at RM 86,726 and RM 93,420, respectively. Both variants were powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC mill generating a maximum power of 120 PS. The discontinuation of the BR-V marked the end of an era for Honda in one of the nation's most popular vehicle categories, the 7-seater MPV/crossover. 

Volkswagen Golf R-Line

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia dropped the Golf R-Line in March last year. Priced at RM 170,560, the locally-assembled R-Line was equipped with a 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine that delivers 150 PS of power output at 5,000 rpm and 250 Nm of peak torque between 1,500 - 4,000 rpm. It allowed the car to hit the century sprint in 8.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 224 kmph. 

With the discontinuation of the Golf R-Line, only two variants of the hot hatchback are now offered in the country viz Golf GTI and Golf R, priced at RM 244,990 and RM 330,000, respectively. 

Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen also pulled the plug on the Passant early last year. The D-segment sedan was available in two variants in Malaysia - Elegance and R-Line, both powered by a 2.0-litre four-pot tune mill that makes 190 PS and 320 Nm of torque. The Elegance trim was priced at RM 183,680, while the R-Line cost RM 204,433.

The discontinuation of the Passat was expected, given the declining popularity of D-segment sedans, as more consumers now prefer SUVs. This move aligns with the automaker's strategic shift toward emphasizing its upcoming range of electric vehicles and SUVs.

Audi TT

First introduced in 1998, the Audi TT sports car was discontinued after almost 26 years of production. The last unit of the iconic model rolled off the production line at the brand’s Györ plant in Hungary in November 2023. It was a TTS coupe, powered by a 2.0-litre, turbocharged petrol engine and Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The automaker is likely to develop an electric version of the sports car; however, nothing has been officially announced yet.

Audi Q2

Audi has also dropped the Q2 compact crossover from its lineup in 2023. The reason for its discontinuation is the automaker’s plan to concentrate on high-end models and reposition itself as a premium brand. The Malaysian-spec Q2 was equipped with a 1.4-litre TFSI 4-cylinder delivering a maximum power of 150 PS and a peak torque of 250 Nm. It was priced at RM 276,710.

Mercedes-Benz CLS coupe

Mercedes-Benz bid adieu to the CLS coupe in August 2023 as part of its strategic product portfolio planning at the global level. The last surviving version of the coupe was equipped with a 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder engine mated to a 48V hybrid configuration, generating 362 hp of maximum power and 500 Nm of peak torque. It enabled the CLS to run from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.6 seconds.

That’s a wrap for now. For further updates on the automotive industry, stay tuned with us.

Also read: 2023 Recap: Top 10 EVs launched in Malaysia