Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Canada: Toyota Highlander is New No. 1
The Honda CR-V is no longer the most stolen vehicle in Canada. That title now goes to the Toyota Highlander, according to the latest annual stats published today by Équité Association.
Between 2021 and last year, auto theft increased 48.2 percent in Ontario, 57.9 percent in Quebec, 34 percent in Atlantic Canada and 5.5 percent in Alberta. Public Safety Canada announced its National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft earlier this year, but while meaningful actions and investments from governments and law enforcement agencies have led to a national decrease in auto theft in 2024, continued commitment and collaboration from all stakeholders is required to maintain this momentum.
- Also: 4 Steps to Prevent Your Car From Being Stolen
- Also: Ontario Driver Wants Automakers to be Accountable for Easily Stolen Vehicles
“In order to sustainably address the auto theft crisis in Canada, solutions must evolve from focusing on the recovery of stolen vehicles to preventing vehicles from being stolen in the first place, starting with updating Canada's outdated Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (i.e., ULC 338 Standards),” says Terri O’Brien, President and CEO of Équité Association.
The organization claims that a modernized vehicle security standard aligned to the ULC 338 Standards is needed to address current methods of theft across all manufacturers. Fortifying the unauthorized access to vehicle electronic systems is also imperative to stop the auto theft crisis from continuing in Canada, it added.
Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Canada in 2023
As mentioned up top, the CR-V’s two-year reign as the most stolen vehicle in Canada is over, but you’ll still find it in fourth place. And for once, there is not a single Ford model among the top 10.
In addition to being a popular vehicle nationwide, the Highlander is globally serviceable and has a high resale value both domestically and internationally. It also shares similarities with nearly all of the vehicles on the national list, where the vehicles are 2019 or newer models and have vulnerabilities that come with keyless ignitions, particularly as these vehicles do not come equipped with anti-theft devices aligned to the ULC 338 Anti-theft Standards.
1. 2021 Toyota Highlander
Number of thefts: 3,414 – Theft rate: 2.76 percent
2. 2022 Ram 1500
Number of thefts: 3,078 – Theft rate: 0.59 percent
3. 2022 Lexus RX
Number of thefts: 3,037 – Theft rate: 3.15 percent
4. 2021 Honda CR-V
Number of thefts: 2,988 – Theft rate: 0.61 percent
5. 2021 Toyota RAV4
Number of thefts: 2,690 – Theft rate: 0.53 percent
6. 2019 Honda Civic
Number of thefts: 1,654 – Theft rate: 0.24 percent
7. 2021 Jeep Wrangler
Number of thefts: 1,641 – Theft rate: 1.16 percent
8. 2020 Land Rover Range Rover
Number of thefts: 1,533 – Theft rate: 4.43 percent
9. 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban/GMC Yukon
Number of thefts: 1,488 – Theft rate: 2.37 percent
10. 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500/GMC Sierra 1500
Number of thefts: 1,383 – Theft rate: 0.23 percent
Incidentally, the 2022 Lexus RX was the most stolen vehicle in Ontario last year, while the 2021 Toyota RAV4 led the way in Quebec. The 2022 Ram 1500 was the top target of thieves in Atlantic Canada, while those in Alberta preferred GM’s light-duty and heavy-duty full-size trucks from 2006-2007.
