Car theft in Canada is rising fast, and specific models are getting hit repeatedly. Some vehicles are irresistible to thieves, Whether due to outdated security systems, high resale value, or parts that are easy to flip. From pickups to SUVs, these models topped insurance claims and police reports nationwide, causing owners to rethink parking habits or invest in serious anti-theft tech. Here are 20 cars that Canadian thieves target most often:
Honda CR-V (2016–2021)
The Honda CR-V’s popularity has become its most significant liability. This crossover is a hot commodity with a 1.5L turbocharged engine delivering 190 horsepower and solid acceleration of 0–100 km/h in under 8 seconds. Thieves love it because of its demand, reliability, and resale value overseas. Its keyless entry system, while convenient, has vulnerabilities that make it easy prey for relay attacks. Interior tech is modern but doesn’t include strong theft deterrents. CR-Vs are at the top of the stolen vehicle reports in Ontario and Quebec.
Lexus RX Series (2016–2021)
Luxury meets vulnerability in the Lexus RX. This SUV offers up to 308 horsepower in hybrid form and a refined interior that feels truly premium. It’s also incredibly popular with organized crime rings shipping vehicles overseas. Thieves use high-tech relay attacks to exploit the smart key system, often taking an RX in under two minutes. The leather seats, high-res infotainment, and smooth ride make it desirable, but that same allure makes it a top target in the GTA and Montreal. Lexus owners are strongly advised to use Faraday cages and aftermarket GPS trackers.
Ford F-150 (2015–2020)
Canada’s best-selling truck is also one of its most stolen. With engine options ranging from a 2.7L EcoBoost V6 to a 5.0L V8, the F-150 delivers anywhere from 325 to 400 horsepower. Its 0–100 km/h time varies but is quick for a truck, around 6 seconds with higher trims. These workhorses are often stolen for parts, thanks to high demand and poor factory-installed anti-theft measures. Interiors vary from rugged to luxurious depending on trim, but thieves don’t care, especially when they can turn off basic alarms in seconds.
Toyota Highlander (2017–2022)
With a smooth V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and seating for eight, the Toyota Highlander checks a lot of family-friendly boxes, but it’s also a thief favorite. Its popularity and high resale value make it an ideal target for black-market resellers and export operations. The interior features solid tech and comfort, but the keyless entry system is vulnerable to signal boosting. Highlanders disappear regularly in Toronto, Laval, and Mississauga, often without a trace, and insurance claims for this model have spiked in recent years, making it a must-protect SUV for suburban drivers.
Dodge Ram 1500 (2015–2021)
The Ram 1500 boasts serious muscle, with a 5.7L HEMI V8 delivering 395 horsepower and a 0–100 km/h time of under 7 seconds. It is powerful, stylish, and, unfortunately, easy to steal. Its large parts market and often lax owner security habits have made it a significant target across Alberta and Ontario. The plush interior, touchscreen infotainment, and utility features make it popular with buyers and criminals. Professional thieves frequently clone key fobs or override onboard diagnostics to drive off unnoticed, making heavy-duty locks and aftermarket alarms almost essential for RAM owners in theft-prone areas.
Toyota RAV4 (2016–2021)
As Canada’s top-selling SUV, the Toyota RAV4 is in high demand, and so are stolen units. With a 2.5L four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and a 0–100 km/h time of roughly 8.5 seconds, it’s practical, efficient at 8.7 L/100 km city, and widely available. But its popularity has also made it a significant target for theft. Thieves love its resale potential and lack of factory-installed immobilizers in earlier models. The interior is modest but durable, with intuitive tech and roomy seating, and unfortunately, in cities like Ottawa and Toronto, RAV4 thefts are becoming an everyday occurrence.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2014–2020)
The Silverado 1500 is built tough and comes with engine options, including a 5.3L V8 pushing 355 horsepower and a 0–100 km/h time of around 6.5 seconds. That kind of power, and the abundance of these trucks on the road, makes them prime targets for parts thieves. Commonly stolen in Western provinces and around industrial areas, older Silverados lack robust anti-theft features. Depending on trim, the interior ranges from basic to plush, but thieves typically don’t care, and many target specific components.
Honda Civic (2012–2018)
Still one of the most stolen vehicles in Canada, the Honda Civic is favored by joyriders and professional thieves. With a 2.0L engine offering 158 horsepower and solid acceleration of about 8.5 seconds 0–100 km/h, it is fun to drive and easy to resell or strip for parts. Its fuel economy is excellent at 7.8 L/100 km city, but that savings can quickly vanish if you wake up to an empty driveway. Interiors are practical and tech-savvy, especially in EX and Touring trims, but security systems in older Civics are far from thief-proof.
Hyundai Tucson (2016–2021)
This compact SUV might seem like an unlikely target, but thefts have skyrocketed in recent years. The Tucson features a 2.4L engine with 181 horsepower and a modest 0–100 km/h time of about 9 seconds. It’s efficient at around 9.2 L/100 km city, well-priced, and very common, all traits that attract thieves looking for vehicles that can quickly blend into traffic or ship abroad. Its keyless entry system is vulnerable to relay attacks, and its interiors, while comfortable and modern, lack additional theft deterrents.
Acura MDX (2016–2020)
The Acura MDX combines performance and luxury with a 3.5L V6 pushing 290 horsepower and a 0–100 km/h sprint of 6.5 seconds. That blend makes it a high-value prize for professional auto theft rings. The interior is upscale, featuring leather seating, advanced infotainment, and roomy third-row space, perfect for families and, unfortunately, criminals seeking a clean export vehicle. The MDX is frequently stolen using electronic relay attacks, especially in suburban neighborhoods. Without an added immobilizer or GPS tracker, this Acura can disappear in seconds, leaving owners with sky-high insurance hikes and little hope of recovery.
Mazda CX-5 (2017–2021)
The Mazda CX-5 blends sharp design with athletic driving dynamics, making it one of Canada’s most beloved compact SUVs and a growing favorite among car thieves. Equipped with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine delivering up to 187 horsepower or 250 with the turbo, it accelerates 0–100 km/h in about 7.5 seconds. Fuel economy sits around 9.8 L/100 km city. Inside, the CX-5 impresses with upscale materials, supportive seats, and sleek infotainment. But it’s not immune to keyless entry hacks, especially in urban areas like Montreal and Hamilton.
Subaru Forester (2014–2019)
The Subaru Forester may be known for its all-weather capability and reliable 2.5L boxer engine with 170 horsepower, but it’s also quietly become a theft magnet. With decent acceleration of 0–100 km/h in about 9.5 seconds)and efficient fuel economy at 9.4 L/100 km city, it’s a practical choice, but that also makes it desirable on the black market. The interior is functional, with spacious seating and solid visibility, though early models lack modern anti-theft systems. In BC and Alberta especially, Foresters frequently disappear off streets and driveways.
Kia Forte (2015–2020)
Compact and budget-friendly, the Kia Forte isn’t flashy, but that’s precisely why it’s targeted so often. Powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower, the Forte is fuel-efficient and achieves 0–100 km/h in about 9.2 seconds. Its simple design makes it easy to steal, especially older models with no immobilizers. Inside, it’s modestly equipped but comfortable. The theft surge has been linked to viral how-to videos exploiting security flaws, especially on trims without push-button start. Cities like Edmonton and Mississauga have reported dramatic rises in Forte-related insurance claims.
BMW X5 (2016–2020)
Luxury meets vulnerability in the BMW X5, a high-performance SUV with a 3.0L turbo inline-six producing 335 horsepower and a 0–100 km/h sprint in just 5.5 seconds. Its high resale value and demand overseas make it a prime target for sophisticated theft rings. The plush interior features leather seats, ambient lighting, and advanced tech, but even BMW’s security systems can’t constantly fend off relay attacks. With an average fuel consumption of around 11.5 L/100 km city, it’s not cheap to run or replace. Owners in the GTA and Vancouver are seeing these stolen right out of gated communities.
Toyota Camry (2015–2020)
The Toyota Camry is known for reliability, but that widespread appeal also makes it a top theft target. Its efficient 2.5L engine produces 203 horsepower and averages 8.5 L/100 km city, accelerating to 0–100 km/h in about 8 seconds. The interior is well-finished, with supportive seats and a reliable infotainment system. However, stolen Camrys are often stripped for airbags and electronics. Canadian auto theft units report Camrys being shipped overseas due to their easy resale potential. A steering wheel lock and immobilizer may be your only defense against these organized theft rings.
Hyundai Elantra (2017–2021)
Affordable and everywhere, the Hyundai Elantra is a common target for thieves, especially older trims lacking immobilizers. Its 2.0L four-cylinder engine delivers 147 horsepower with a 0–100 km/h time of 8.9 seconds. The fuel economy is solid at 7.6 L/100 km in the city. The Elantra offers decent tech and comfort, especially in higher trims like the Limited. However, widespread availability and weak security make it easy prey, and police in cities like Calgary and Ottawa have reported huge spikes in Elantra thefts.
Chevrolet Cruzero (2016–2021)
The lesser-known Chevrolet Cruze has become sadly familiar to thieves. Its 1.4L turbo engine puts out 153 horsepower and hits 0–100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, with decent fuel efficiency of 7.9 L/100 km city. Interiors were designed to feel premium, with touchscreen HVAC and cloth-seating options. Despite this, thieves targeting electronics and airbags regularly strip Cruzes soon after they’re stolen. Reports from Ontario and Quebec police show a rising trend in Cruze burglaries. Owners should invest in immobilizers and consider aftermarket alarm systems to protect their vehicles and family peace of mind.
Ford Explorer (2016–2021)
With a powerful 2.3L EcoBoost or available V6 engine producing 300+ horsepower, the Ford Explorer is a family hauler that’s become increasingly popular with thieves. Acceleration is quick at 0–100 km/h in about 6.8 seconds, and fuel economy averages 11.6 L/100 km city. Its spacious three-row interior is a plus, but older Explorers often lack advanced theft deterrents. Explorers have become prime targets in suburban neighborhoods from Surrey to Brampton, especially limited or sport trims with higher resale value. Without added protection like tracking devices or wheel locks, your Explorer might be gone before breakfast.
Toyota 4Runner (2014–2021)
Built like a tank, the Toyota 4Runner’s ruggedness and longevity ironically make it a favorite among thieves. With a 4.0L V6 pumping out 270 horsepower and a 0–100 km/h time of about 7.8 seconds, it’s more about durability than speed. Fuel consumption is hefty at 14.3 L/100 km city, but fans love its off-road reliability and roomy cabin. Its high resale value, especially in remote markets, puts a bullseye on its back, and from British Columbia’s Lower Mainland to Quebec suburbs, 4Runners are being snatched up and flipped fast.
Nissan Rogue (2017–2021)
The Nissan Rogue is a silent favorite among opportunistic thieves. Powered by a 2.5L engine making 170 horsepower with a 0–100 km/h time of 9.5 seconds, it’s no speedster, but it’s everywhere, and that’s the point. The Rogue is a solid commuter with fuel efficiency at 9.1 L/100 km city and a quiet, practical interior. Unfortunately, early models lack robust theft protections, and its parts are in constant demand. In both urban and rural areas, Rogues are vanishing at alarming rates.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
When people think of innovation, they often picture Silicon Valley. However, Canada has a history of innovation, too. Whether it’s redefining sports, revolutionizing medicine, or just showing America up at its own game, Canadian inventors, thinkers, and dreamers have had their fair share of mic-drop moments. Here are 22 times Canadian ingenuity left the U.S. in the dust.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
Alanna Rosen is an experienced content writer that focuses on many EV and educational content. Her articles are regularly published on Get CyberTrucked and syndicated on large publications.