The latest product releases always take the center of attention, no matter what industry, and the ever-competitive automotive market is a prime example. New models attract new customers to automotive exhibitions and showrooms while continuing to provide content for the press and media.

But as more brands try to reach new segments and markets, tapping into the nostalgia factor of models/products from previous decades is emerging as a way to drive interest and competition in the modern automotive industry. Familiar nameplates like the Chevrolet Camaro and Honda Prelude not only attract attention from potential customers, but also provide an opportunity for brands to reimagine once-popular models for the current era. While some details are yet to be confirmed, or fairly minimal information is publicly known, it’s worth reviewing what cars are coming back in 2027 (or in future years).

All information on the featured models has been sourced directly from the manufacturers and is based on either confirmed or speculative details known about their production models as of October 2026. Manufacturers reserve the right to update these at any time.

1

Nissan Xterra

The Nissan Xterra is one of many previously discontinued cars that are coming back in the near future, with Nissan due to reveal further details of the truck-derived SUV by late 2028. For the time being, along with a few teaser images hinting at the revived SUV’s appearance and design language, Nissan has stated that it will pick up where the previous iteration left off, utilizing a V6 powertrain and, for the first time in the Xterra’s history, a hybrid powertrain. The new Xterra will continue to use a body-on-frame platform, positioned between the Nissan Pathfinder SUV and Nissan Frontier pickup.

2

Nissan Skyline/Infiniti Q50 (V38-Gen)

Another one of Nissan’s discontinued cars that is coming back is an all-new Nissan Skyline sedan, due to enter its fourteenth generation (V38) and expected to be marketed in the United States as a successor to the Infiniti Q50 sedan. Specific details are to be announced, but it will likely use the same twin-turbocharged V6 engine and rear-wheel-drive platform as the current-generation Nissan Z (alongside carryover parts from the preceding V37-generation Skyline/Q50 sedan), with all-wheel drive and a hybrid option potentially to be added in the future. Nissan’s current CEO, Ivan Espinosa, has confirmed the production model will be unveiled by December 2026, between this year’s Tokyo Mobility Show and the next edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon.

3

Ford F-150 Lightning (EREV)

The F-150 Lightning was Ford’s first attempt at an all-electric pickup truck to rival similar offerings from Rivian, General Motors, and Tesla, but the original model, a battery-electric truck produced from 2022 to 2025 ended production after less than five years on sale, despite Ford’s sizable investment in a dedicated battery production facility in Michigan. Citing slower sales and EV adoption rates, Ford is opting to retool the F-150 Lightning as an extended-range EV truck, incorporating a gasoline engine onboard to act as a generator for the EV battery, netting both the instant torque/power delivery of electric power with at least 700 miles of estimated range, with the engine reducing concerns over average range per recharge. Further details, including a prototype of this new EREV F-150 Lightning, are to be confirmed.

4

Ram RamCharger

The Ramcharger was previously employed on a large, truck-based SUV sold under the Dodge brand, last used on a third-generation model from 1999 to 2001. With Dodge and the Ram Trucks brand adjusting their products to incorporate V8 powertrains once more, the RamCharger nameplate will be resurrected for a body-on-frame full-size SUV, sharing parts with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer; as confirmed by Stellantis, it will focus on V8 engines rather than the turbocharged ‘Hurricane’ inline-six cylinders used in other SUVs and trucks. More details on this new RamCharger SUV should come out within 2028.

5

Mitsubishi Montero (Pajero)

Known as the Mitsubishi Montero during its years in North America, the Pajero is one of the few cars that are coming back overseas, with the all-new Pajero SUV debuting this year for sale in markets like Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia, South America, and the Middle East (while reusing the Montero nameplate in certain regions). Sharing the same production line, turbo-diesel engine, and platform as the Mitsubishi Triton pickup, this new iteration of the Mitsubishi SUV is not planned to be reintroduced to markets like the States; however, there is potential for the Montero nameplate to be brought back to American buyers as a full-size SUV positioned above the Outlander. Gasoline and plug-in hybrid powertrains could be used to help provide an edge for the struggling Mitsubishi brand in this region against Nissan and Toyota.

6

Dodge Copperhead

Stellantis plans to launch a new production car by 2030, resurrecting a pre-Y2K Dodge SRT concept car name. The Copperhead concept car was first shown in 1997 at the Detroit Auto Show, described as a sports car combining traits of both a Dodge Viper and Charger. Details have yet to be finalized, but it has been confirmed the production Copperhead will be sold under the Dodge brand, and have an SRT variant, but it is not considered a successor to the previous SRT flagship muscle car – the Viper.

7

Scout Motors (Volkswagen)

Formerly belonging to a full-size SUV marketed under agricultural vehicle manufacturer International Harvester, the Scout name was acquired by the Volkswagen Group in 2021, following its purchase of the International Harvester brand’s successor, Navistar.

Relaunched in 2022 as Scout Motors, these domestically produced vehicles will consist of the launch of an all-electric and range-extender EV truck and full-size SUV, the Scout Traveler and Terra, sharing parts developed in conjunction with Rivian Automotive, Inc. The EV models will use a dual electric motor setup, while the EREVs will add a VW-sourced four-cylinder as part of a series hybrid powertrain. Production of these two is due to begin in 2027 at a dedicated production facility in South Carolina, with reservations already open to potential customers, and sales planned to be done separately from VW dealerships in a ‘direct-to-consumer’ business model, akin to how Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid Motors sell their vehicles.

8

Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman

Porsche’s entry-level sports car, the 718 Boxster/Cayman are cars that are coming back in the near future. Due to enter their fifth generation, owing to slow EV adoption and sales of high-end models (including the Taycan and Cayenne EV), Porsche has been discussing internally whether to transition the mid-engined platform to be all-electric, or backtrack from the R&D already invested to retool it to use internal combustion powertrains. The latest communication has confirmed Porsche has committed to making the new Boxster/Cayman fully electric, eliminating any potential for flat-four/six engines to be used. The new Boxster/Cayman EVs are due to be fully unveiled as the new year begins.

9

Chevrolet Camaro

Among old cars that are coming back, one that should be welcome to many American enthusiasts is a new Chevrolet Camaro. The previous generation Camaro ended sales by the end of 2023, but General Motors is planning for an all-new model to come out around 2030. Many details are speculative at this stage, but the Camaro is stated to be returning as both a two-door coupe and a four-door Camaro sedan, riding on the front-engined, rear-wheel-drive GM Alpha platform shared with the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 (which have also been used in their high-performance Blackwing counterparts). The V8 engine is expected to make a return, but there is the possibility for other powertrains to be made available, like the turbocharged four-cylinder used in other GM Alpha-based sedans.

10

Dodge Dakota

Also cited among previously discontinued cars that are coming back in the near future is the Dodge Dakota, a midsize truck previously made up until the 2011 model year. Not much is known about the revived Dakota in the pipeline, aside from it being sold under Stellantis’ Ram Trucks brand and occupying a slot above the entry-level Ram 1500 series trucks. It’s also likely to receive the ‘Hurricane’ turbocharged inline-six cylinder that other Ram Trucks products have received, and could also be available with a plug-in hybrid option.