Published: December 8, 2015, 6:00 AM
Updated: December 11, 2015, 4:13 AM
Vehicle theft in Canada increased in 2014
Here are 22 of the car thieves' top choices from all across Canada.
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2005-2007 Ford F-350 SD
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.
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2005-2007 Ford F-250 SD
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.
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2000 Honda Civic Coupe
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.
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2010 Buick Enclave
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.
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2006 Cadillac Escalade
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.
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2003 Cadillac Escalade
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.
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2010 Acura ZDX
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.
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2009 BMW X6
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.
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2013 Acura MDX
Another Acura, and one of the newest cars on any of the lists, the 2013 MDX ranked fourth-most-popular among Ontario's thieves.
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2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
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?
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2013 Toyota Highlander
Sixth on the Ontario list was another relatively new model, the 2013 Toyota Highlander SUV in AWD form.
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2005 Hummer H2
In contrast, it was followed by a relatively rare albeit highly conspicuous model – the 2005 Hummer H2. Another 4WD of course.
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2014 Toyota Venza
The newest vehicle on any of the top-10 lists, the 2014 Toyota Venza, was eighth on the Ontario list.
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2006 Ford Freestyle
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.
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1998 Dodge-Plymouh Neon
Second on the Atlantic list is the 1998 Dodge/Plymouth Neon – almost certainly a case of keys in ignitions - or a need for parts.
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2005 Ford Focus ZX5.
Ford's 2005 Focus ZX5 was third on that list, adding a little zest to the thieves' selections.
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2003 Dodge Durango
But the easterners weren't immune to the attraction of big 4WD SUVs, making the 2003 Dodge Durango fourth on their hit parade.
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1998 Toyota RAV4
Toyota's little 1998 RAV4 4WD SUV was their fifth-favouite.
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2004 Chevrolet Blazer
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?
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2004 Acura TSX
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.
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2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Ninth-most-stolen in Atlantic Canada was the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee AWD SUV.
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2010 Honda Civic Coupe
Last on the lists, ranking tenth in the Atlantic region was the 2010 version of Honda's Civic Coupe.
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