Here are 22 of the car thieves' top choices from all across Canada.
The most stolen vehicles in Canada last year weren't cars but variations of Ford's Super-Duty trucks – F-350 SDs from model years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2003 in that order. Not surprisingly the F-350 numbers were heavily weighted by western Canada, a region where trucks are king. That said, the 2005 F-350 also made the top-ten list in Atlantic Canada.
With the same heavily western weighting, the second-most-popular group of stolen vehicles were Ford F-250 SDs – model years 2004, 2001and 2007 in that order. In fact, the most stolen vehicle in the west was the 2004 F-250 SD.
As individual models, however, the 2000 Honda Civic Coupe was the second-most-popular model for thieves in the west – perhaps because the engine in the Si model is highly desirable among the tuning set.
The only other vehicles on the western top-10 list were variations of GM's 2010 mid-size SUVs – the Buick Enclave/Saturn Outlook siblings – which collectively ranked ninth.
Apart from the Ford trucks, the only other vehicle to make the top-ten list nationally was the 2006 Cadillac Escalade SUV, which was the fourth-most-stolen vehicle overall. All the vehicles on that list had 4WD or AWD.
A 2003 Escalade topped the theft charts in Ontario. Thieves there also have a definite preference for big, expensive 4WD models, which can bring big bucks overseas, either as complete vehicles or broken down. All but two of the 10 most stolen models in that province had AWD or 4WD.
Reinforcing the thieves' attraction to luxury nameplates, the 2010 Acura ZDX AWD model was the second-most stolen vehicle in Ontario, even though it sold in relatively small numbers.
Third on the Ontario list was a similar model from BMW, the 2009 X6 AWD four-door hatchback. The 2011 version of the same model was ninth on the list. Seems that thieves like utility and a luxury logo, never mind the looks.
Another Acura, and one of the newest cars on any of the lists, the 2013 MDX ranked fourth-most-popular among Ontario's thieves.
Next on that list was another pickup truck, the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche – albeit in two-wheel-drive form. The same model from the 2009 model year, claimed ninth place in Ontario. Another case of keys left in the ignitions?
Sixth on the Ontario list was another relatively new model, the 2013 Toyota Highlander SUV in AWD form.
In contrast, it was followed by a relatively rare albeit highly conspicuous model – the 2005 Hummer H2. Another 4WD of course.
The newest vehicle on any of the top-10 lists, the 2014 Toyota Venza, was eighth on the Ontario list.
In Atlantic Canada, thieves reveal different, albeit highly practical tastes. The 2006 Ford Freestyle wagon, essentially a Taurus station wagon, topped the most stolen list.
Second on the Atlantic list is the 1998 Dodge/Plymouth Neon – almost certainly a case of keys in ignitions - or a need for parts.
Ford's 2005 Focus ZX5 was third on that list, adding a little zest to the thieves' selections.
But the easterners weren't immune to the attraction of big 4WD SUVs, making the 2003 Dodge Durango fourth on their hit parade.
Toyota's little 1998 RAV4 4WD SUV was their fifth-favouite.
Perhaps simply because of their sheer numbers, GM's 2004 S-Series SUVs – Chevrolet Blazer, GMC Jimmy, Oldsmobile Bravada – were fifth on the Atlantic list. Could there be any other reason?
Showing some taste for the upscale, Atlantic thieves made the 2004 Acura TSX their eighth choice, behind the 2005 Ford F-350 which also appeared on the overall and Western lists.
Ninth-most-stolen in Atlantic Canada was the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee AWD SUV.
Last on the lists, ranking tenth in the Atlantic region was the 2010 version of Honda's Civic Coupe.
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