After two years in which the Honda CR-V SUV was the top target for vehicle thieves, 2023 saw another vehicle claim the unwanted distinction of being the most stolen in Canada. The Toyota Highlander has taken the lead in the number of thefts and ranks sixth in terms of theft frequency.

Équité Association released its list of the 10 vehicles most targeted by thieves on November 19. The ranking is based on the total number of thefts rather than theft frequency.

Two models—ranked fourth and ninth in total thefts, the Toyota RAV4 and the Chevrolet/GMC Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe series—were not on last year’s list. 

“The Toyota Highlander is a popular model in Canada, which is globally serviceable and has a high resale value both domestically and internationally; noting criminals continually shift demand to maximize profits from the illegal sale of vehicles,” says the organization.

Newer models, from 2019 onward, are more vulnerable due to keyless start systems, as these vehicles lack anti-theft devices that meet ULC 338 anti-theft standards.

Terri O’Brien, CEO of Équité Association, emphasized the need to update the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations to include the ULC 338 standard.

Bryan Gast, Vice President of Investigative Services, echoed the concerns about the vulnerability of keyless-start vehicles. “Fortifying the unauthorized access to vehicle electronic systems is imperative to stop the auto theft crisis continuing in Canada,” he added.

Unlike last year’s vehicle theft rankings, Équité Association did not release a list of the vehicles least targeted by criminals this year. However, the organization used the publication of its rankings to remind Canadians of tips to combat auto theft.

Frequency 

Équité Association also released a ranking of the most stolen vehicles based on theft frequency, measured as the number of thefts relative to the number of insured vehicles. Four of the models ranked by total thefts also appear on the frequency list.

Nine of the ten vehicles in the frequency ranking are SUVs, with the exception of the Jeep Gladiator pickup truck. The theft frequencies for the top 10 vehicles are as follows:

  • Land Rover Range Rover (4.43 per cent)
  • Land Rover Defender (3.92 per cent)
  • Lexus RX (3.15 per cent)
  • Cadillac Escalade (3.0 per cent)
  • Jeep Gladiator (2.91 per cent)
  • Toyota Highlander (2.76 per cent)
  • Chevrolet/GMC Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe (2.37 per cent)
  • Lexus GX (2.27 per cent)
  • Mercedes-Benz G-Class (1.82 per cent)
  • Jaguar F-Pace (1.82 per cent).
Regional Trends 

In Quebec, despite the Jeep Gladiator having a small number of insured vehicles (just 2,507), it topped the frequency ranking with a theft rate of 4.35 per cent. Chevrolet/GMC SUVs followed with a frequency of 4.04 per cent. Meanwhile, the Honda CR-V, while ranked 10th in frequency, held the top spot for the highest number of insured vehicles.

In Ontario, the Land Rover Range Rover led the frequency ranking with a theft rate of 6.84 per cent, followed by the Land Rover Defender at 6.46 per cent.

In Alberta, theft frequency trends differ, with pickup trucks being the most targeted, albeit at significantly lower rates than in Quebec and Ontario. The most frequently stolen vehicles are the Ford F-250 (1.48 per cent) and Ford F-350 (1.21 per cent).

In Atlantic Canada, theft frequency is even lower, with the Dodge Ram 1500 (0.25 per cent) and Ford F-150 (0.16 per cent) leading the region’s ranking.

Decline in 2024 

This past July, Équité Association reported a 17 per cent decline in the number of vehicle thefts in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

The organization noted that between 2021 and 2023, vehicle thefts increased by 57.9 per cent in Quebec, 48.2 per cent in Ontario, 34 per cent in Atlantic Canada, and 5.5 per cent in Alberta. The National Action Plan to Combat Vehicle Theft, announced by Public Safety Canada in May 2024, represents a key milestone in addressing this issue, according to Équité Association.

“While meaningful actions and investments from provincial and federal governments, and law enforcement agencies indicate a national decrease in auto theft in 2024, continued commitment and collaboration from all stakeholders is required to maintain this momentum,” the organization adds.