As the auto theft crisis continues to escalate across Ontario and the rest of Canada, the Lexus RX has shockingly claimed the title of the most stolen vehicle in the province for 2023. The revelation comes from the Équit é Association, an organization dedicated to preventing insurance fraud, which unveiled its annual list of stolen vehicles this past Tuesday.

Trailing closely behind the Lexus RX, the 2022 Toyota Highlander ranked as the second most stolen vehicle in Ontario. Notably, the Highlander topped the national list for vehicle thefts across Canada, highlighting its popularity among thieves. The Équit é Association pointed out that the Highlander is frequently targeted due to its global serviceability and high resale value, making it a prime target for criminal activity.

The report sheds light on the tactics employed by thieves, stating, “Criminals continually shift demand to maximize their profits from the illegal sale of vehicles.” The sudden spike in thefts aligns with the trend of targeting newer models; vehicles from 2019 and beyond are particularly vulnerable, as seen with the Highlander and others on the list.

The 2022 Dodge Ram 1,500 series secured the third position on Ontario's theft list, emphasizing a clear trend: SUVs and pickup trucks dominate the chart, with the lone exception of the Honda Civic, which ranked 9th.

Worryingly, the statistics reveal a staggering increase in auto thefts over the past few years. Between 2021 and 2023, Ontario has witnessed a shocking 48.2% rise in vehicle thefts. The situation is even more dire in Quebec, where thefts shot up by 57.9%, and a significant increase of 34% was recorded in Atlantic Canada. In contrast, Alberta has seen a more moderate rise of 5.5%.

Bryan Gast, vice president of Investigative Services at Équit é, emphasized the need for proactive measures: “The most crucial step in fighting auto theft is stopping it before it starts.” He highlighted a concerning trend in the Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles list, which frequently includes newer models equipped with keyless ignitions, indicating vulnerabilities that thieves are exploiting.

Despite government investments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars aimed at tackling auto theft, Gast warns, “There is much more to be done. The crisis is far from over in Canada.” He advocates for a modernized vehicle security standard consistent with ULC 338 Standards, which could help address the latest methods of vehicle theft. Improving security around vehicle electronic systems is also deemed essential to combat this growing issue.

Here’s the complete rundown of the most stolen vehicles in Ontario for 2023:

Most Stolen Vehicles in Ontario for 2023

1. Lexus RX (2022) 2. Toyota Highlander (2022) 3. Dodge Ram 1,500 (2022) 4. Honda CRV (2020) 5. Land Rover Range Rover Series (2020) 6. Chevrolet/GMC Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe Series (2023) 7. Jeep Wrangler (2023) 8. Toyota RAV4 (2021) 9. Honda Civic (2019) 10. Ford F-150 (2022)

With these sobering statistics, car owners across Ontario are urged to bolster their vehicle's security to prevent falling victim to the rising tide of auto theft. Could your vehicle be next? Stay vigilant!