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Quebec drivers, take note: Car theft is on the rise in la belle province, with a massive 58% increase reported over the past two years alone.
Équité Association just dropped its yearly report on the most stolen vehicles in different parts of Canada, and Quebec has some distinct trends when it comes to which rides thieves are targeting.
If you drive a Toyota RAV4, you might want to double-check your security measures. It was the most stolen vehicle in Quebec last year with 1,470 thefts, far surpassing its closest competitors and overtaking the Honda CR-V, which topped the list the last four years in a row. Nationally, the RAV4 sits in fifth place, but in Quebec, it’s the most popular with thieves.
While the Toyota Highlander claimed the top spot nationally — also overtaking the Honda CR-V for the first time in years — it ranks fourth in Quebec. Across Canada, the Highlander was stolen 3,414 times, making it the most targeted vehicle overall.
Here’s the full breakdown of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Quebec for 2023:
- Toyota RAV4 — 1,470 thefts
- Honda CR-V — 1,291 thefts
- Honda Civic — 609 thefts
- Toyota Highlander — 481 thefts
- Jeep Wrangler — 459 thefts
- Dodge Ram 1500 Series — 395 thefts
- Hyundai Tucson — 390 thefts
- Acura RDX — 336 thefts
- Chevrolet/GMC Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe Series — 214 thefts
- Kia Sportage — 167 thefts
It’s worth noting that these lists are based on the overall number of thefts, so the most popular vehicles tend to rank higher simply because there are so many of them on the road. When you look purely at theft frequency — measured as a percentage of total insured vehicles in the province — the Jeep Gladiator actually holds the top spot in Quebec with a staggering 4.35% theft rate (109 thefts out of just 2,507 insured vehicles).
Other spots in Canada showed different trends. In Ontario, for instance, the luxury SUV Lexus RX Series took the top spot with 2,852 thefts, while Alberta’s most stolen vehicle was the rugged Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 Series. Over in Atlantic Canada, the Dodge Ram 1500 Series was the standout.
Équité Association emphasized that most vehicles targeted recently are newer models with keyless ignitions, which criminals can exploit due to vulnerabilities in electronic security systems. According to the association, 75% of vehicles stolen in Quebec last year were made in 2017 or later.
The association also highlighted Quebec’s alarming rise in thefts as part of a national trend over the last few years. Between 2021 and 2023, Quebec saw the largest increase in Canada with a staggering 57.9% rise over the two years. Équité is calling for updates to vehicle security standards and encouraging drivers to take proactive steps.
“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,” said President and CEO of Équité Association President and CEO Terri O’Brien.
For now, Quebecers are advised to use a layered approach to vehicle security, including parking in well-lit areas, using anti-theft devices and investing in tracking technology. With theft rates soaring, taking a few extra precautions might just keep your ride safe.
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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