Automotive glory is a fickle thing. Today you are worshiped, and tomorrow you are forgotten. One wrong step is enough - an unsuccessful restyling, a miscalculation in positioning, or a drop in quality - and no trace of public love remains. Once upon a time, these models gathered admiring glances and queues in car dealerships. Now, they are the subject of disputes and disappointments.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) - Luxury That Has Lost Its Magic
Power: 286-510 hp
Transmission: automatic
Drive: rear/all-wheel drive
Acceleration to 100 km/h: 4.4-6.4 s
Price: from 5,700,000 ₽
When it comes to luxury on wheels, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class always comes to mind first. The W222 generation was considered the gold standard - the embodiment of comfort, technology, and status. But with the release of the W223, much has changed.
The modern S-Class has fallen victim to contradictions. There are more technologies, but the soul seems to have left. Customers complain about minor breakdowns and assembly that does not match the car's price. Even Mercedes has acknowledged the problems - last year, production had to be reduced due to falling demand. When the flagship ceases to inspire, it is a worrying sign for the entire brand.
Scion xB II - How to Lose Charisma in One Generation
Power: 160 hp
Transmission: automatic/manual
Drive: front
Acceleration to 100 km/h: 8.6-9 s
The first generation Scion xB was a breath of fresh air. A simple box on wheels, with a square body and character, instantly won the hearts of young people. It was nicknamed the "toaster" - with love, not mockery.
But the 2007 restyling ruined everything. The car grew, became heavier, and lost its signature angularity. From a daring urban fighter, the xB turned into a faceless minivan. The public turned away, sales plummeted, and by 2015 the model was quietly discontinued. Perhaps, fair enough: it's better to leave on time than to watch your own oblivion.
Fiat 500 - When Nostalgia Stops Working
Power: 118 hp
Transmission: automatic
Drive: front
Acceleration to 100 km/h: 9 s
Price: from 2.15 million ₽
Fiat 500 is a symbol. A small Italian who gave post-war Europe the joy of movement. The 2007 renaissance was a triumph: retro design, charisma, and the title of "Car of the Year."
But, as is often the case, you can't celebrate forever. In September, Fiat announced the suspension of production of the electric version of the 500e - simply due to lack of orders. Before that, the gasoline version also left the market. The Collezione 1957 collection series became a farewell aria for the model.
Perhaps the world is simply tired of retro. Even the most charming icons are not eternal.
Dodge Neon II - Lost Character
Power: 133-230 hp
Transmission: automatic/manual
Drive: front
Acceleration to 100 km/h: 6.1-12.4 s
Price: from 100,000 ₽ (in the secondary market)
In the mid-90s, the Dodge Neon became a real sensation. Affordable, cute, and reliable, it symbolized the American dream in a budget way. But five years later, the second generation came out - and everything collapsed.
The coupe and ACR sports versions disappeared, leaving only the "base" with a dull 2.0-liter engine. Fans felt betrayed. An attempt to return the Neon name in 2016 became a fiasco: a banal Fiat Tipo was hiding under the Dodge nameplate. The American spirit was replaced by Italian pragmatism - and this signed the verdict on the model.
Jaguar F-Type - Beauty Without a Future
Power: 300-450 hp
Transmission: automatic
Drive: rear
Acceleration to 100 km/h: 4.6-5.7 s
Price: from 4,000,000 ₽
The Jaguar F-Type was supposed to be the successor to the legendary E-Type, a symbol of style and speed. For the first few years, everything went according to plan - enthusiastic reviews, loud tests, and the status of a flagship of British design.
However, time has been ruthless. Despite several restylings, interest had waned by 2020. Buyers did not find in the updated model that spark that once distinguished Jaguar from its competitors. In 2024, production of the F-Type was completed definitively - quietly, without fanfare.
How Not to Lose Public Love
Each of these cars was successful - until it tried to "improve" itself. Mercedes overloaded technology, Scion lost its individuality, Fiat got stuck in retro, Dodge forgot about its roots, and Jaguar forgot about passion.
The history of these models reminds us of a simple truth: a car is not only numbers and marketing. It's emotions. And if the brand loses them, it is almost impossible to regain the love of fans.