DETROIT (WWJ) - A new study shows that some of the vehicles that are most attractive to buyers are also attractive to thieves -- but not always.
A deep dive into auto theft figures shows some interesting trends. Highway Loss Data Institute Vice President Matt Moore says thieves tend to target three types of vehicles from the 2016-18 model years.
"There are powerful vehicles, there are pricey vehicles and then there are pickup trucks," Moore told WWJ Auto Beat Reporter Jeff Gilbert.
Two large cars known for their powerful engines — the Dodge Charger HEMI and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat — top the Institute's list of vehicles most likely to be stolen. Both vehicles have claim rates for whole-vehicle theft that are more than five times the average for 2016-18 models, as does the Infiniti Q50, a midsize luxury sedan. Nearly all 20 models with the highest theft rates are either vehicles with big engines, luxury vehicles or pickups.
Somewhat puzzlingly, the car that tops the list of least stolen vehicles is also a midsize luxury sedan: the two-wheel-drive BMW 3 series. It had just one claim for whole-vehicle theft in 104,901 insured vehicle years. An insured vehicle year is one vehicle insured for one year.
"We'd have to talk to some thieves to get a really good solid answer on it," said Moore. "Perhaps BMW has deployed some advanced anti-theft technologies."
To isolate whole-vehicle claims, the Institute looked at the amounts paid for total losses under collision coverage, which is generally the residual value of the vehicle. If the payment associated with a theft claim is around the same as would be expected for a total loss under collision coverage for the same vehicle of the same age, it is considered to be a whole-vehicle theft claim.
Vehicles with the highest claim frequencies for whole-vehicle theft*Vehicle and relative claim frequency (100 = average)
- Dodge Charger HEMI -- 544
- Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat -- 529
- Infiniti Q50 -- 525
- Infiniti QX80 -- 422
- GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab -- 393
- Dodge Challenger -- 358
- Nissan Maxima -- 351
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab -- 320
- Chrysler 300 4WD -- 293
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4-door long-wheelbase 4WD -- 291
- Dodge Charger 4WD -- 274
- Dodge Durango 4WD -- 271
- Land Rover Range Rover -- 271
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab 4WD -- 269
- Dodge Charger -- 266
- Nissan Titan crew cab short bed -- 250
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 -- 248
- GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab 4WD -- 241
- Audi A7 4WD -- 239
- Infiniti QX80 4WD -- 236
Vehicles with the lowest claim frequencies for whole-vehicle theft
- BMW 3-series 4-door -- 4
- Tesla Model S 4WD -- 11
- Tesla Model X 4WD -- 12
- Chevrolet Equinox 4WD -- 15
- Buick Encore 4WD -- 15
- Subaru Legacy with EyeSight -- 17
- GMC Acadia -- 19
- Subaru Forester with EyeSight -- 20
- GMC Acadia 4WD -- 20
- Volkswagen New Beetle -- 21
- BMW 3 series 4-door 4WD -- 21
- Subaru Outback with EyeSight -- 22
- BMW X5 -- 22
- Subaru Crosstrek -- 25
- Chevrolet Traverse -- 26
- Subaru Crosstrek with EyeSight -- 26
- Lexus RX 450h 4WD -- 28
- Honda Odyssey -- 28
- Mazda MX-5 Miata -- 30
- Cadillac XT5 -- 30
