Globo Madrid - Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 Lead Canada’s Most Stolen Vehicles List for 2025

The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 have retained their positions as the most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada, according to new data released by Équité Association, a non-profit organization that tracks automotive insurance claims. The findings highlight a persistent trend where high-volume consumer models are disproportionately targeted by theft networks, even as luxury vehicles show higher rates of theft relative to their market presence.

The association’s latest report indicates that 2,137 Honda CR-V crossovers were stolen last year, making it the single most stolen model in the country. The Honda Civic followed closely with 1,813 thefts. While these figures place Honda models at the top of the volume-based rankings, Toyota vehicles also feature prominently in the data. The Toyota RAV4 recorded 1,147 thefts, securing a spot among the most stolen nameplates.

Pickup trucks also remain a primary target for thieves across the nation. The Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 were reported stolen 1,072 and 1,057 times, respectively. Regional variations in theft patterns further illustrate the scope of the issue. In Atlantic Canada and Western provinces, pickup trucks topped the lists for total thefts. Conversely, in Ontario and Quebec, where population density is higher, the Honda CR-V and Civic led in absolute numbers.

Équité Association also compiled a separate metric that ranks vehicles by theft frequency rather than total volume. This calculation measures the percentage of stolen vehicles against the number of active insurance policies for each model, providing a clearer picture of risk for individual owners. Under this frequency-based ranking, luxury and premium SUVs dominate the list.

The Lexus TX recorded the highest theft frequency at 11.37 percent, meaning that more than one in ten stolen Lexus TX vehicles represented a significant portion of its insured population. The Toyota Land Cruiser followed closely with an 11.32 percent theft frequency. There is a substantial drop-off to the next vehicle on the list; the Toyota Grand Highlander recorded a theft frequency of 4.77 percent. Other models falling within the 1.0 to 1.5 percent range include the Acura TLX, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and Land Rover Defender.

The data underscores the disparity between total theft numbers and individual risk. For instance, there are more Honda Civics on Canadian roads than Ford F-150 pickup trucks, with insured counts of 673,107 compared to 593,365 for light-duty F-Series models. Despite having fewer units in circulation, the F-150 remains a top target by volume.

Heather Masterson, President and CEO of Équité Association, emphasized that auto theft continues to be a lucrative crime with relatively low risk for perpetrators. "With auto theft remaining a low-risk high-reward crime, organized networks continue to exploit vulnerabilities, leaving tens of thousands of Canadians victimized, and communities emotionally and financially affected," Masterson said.

Masterson argued that law enforcement efforts alone are insufficient to curb the crisis. She called for a systemic approach involving regulatory changes. "Enforcement alone won’t solve this," she stated. "It requires a collective, preventative shift across the entire ecosystem, including working in consultation with Transport Canada to update and align the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations with global best practices."

The report does not suggest that specific automakers have failed in their anti-theft engineering. Instead, the high numbers for Honda and Toyota models reflect the high demand for these vehicles in the secondary market for parts and resale. The popularity of these nameplates makes them attractive targets for organized crime groups seeking quick returns.

The statistics highlight the ongoing challenge for Canadian insurers and law enforcement as theft methods evolve. While traditional key-based thefts have declined due to improved security, sophisticated relay attacks and software exploits have allowed thieves to bypass modern immobilizers. The data serves as a benchmark for tracking the effectiveness of future safety regulations and industry-wide security standards.

R.Romero--GM