Thieves are primarily targeting popular, high-volume vehicles like Hyundai Elantras, Sonatas, and Kias (Optima, Soul) due to vulnerabilities exploited by social media trends, alongside common models like the Honda Accord, Civic, and Chevrolet Silverado/Ford F-150 pickups, with older models lacking modern anti-theft tech being especially vulnerable, while newer EVs and luxury SUVs (like Land Rover, BMW X7) also see high theft rates due to their value, notes reports from Allstate, AAA, Insurify, Forbes, and CBS News.
Most stolen makes and models
Although car theft can happen to anyone, thieves target some vehicle models more than others. Vehicles from older model years are targeted because thieves are able to sell the used parts quickly, and older models don't have the sophisticated anti-theft features that newer cars have.
Electronic interference, radio interference, and missing items in your vehicle might also indicate car thieves are targeting you. Always secure your car and park with its wheels facing the curb before you leave it for any length of time.
Tesla, Volvo, and Subaru consistently rank as some of the hardest car brands to steal, thanks to advanced tech like GPS, Sentry Mode (Tesla), and robust factory security, alongside luxury brands like Audi, BMW, and Lexus (e.g., XC90, A6, RX), with some GM models (GMC Acadia) also showing low theft rates due to sophisticated immobilizers and tracking. Generally, modern EVs and well-equipped luxury SUVs are tough targets.
The Hardest Car Brands to Steal (and Why)
White cars statistically get pulled over the most because they are the most common vehicle color on the road, followed by red, gray, and silver, but red cars might be ticketed at a higher rate relative to their numbers. While white cars account for the highest total stops due to sheer volume, red cars, often associated with sports cars, are ticketed more often than their percentage of cars on the road would suggest, indicating a disproportionate stop rate.
Consider using anti-theft technology, such as steering wheel locks, audible alarms, or aftermarket GPS tracking like air tags. These items deter thieves from targeting your car, and if they do take it, ultimately make it easier to find.
Thieves most often break into cars at night, particularly between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., with peak times often cited as 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., when people are asleep and darkness provides cover. These crimes are often crimes of opportunity, targeting unlocked cars or those with visible valuables, especially in residential areas like apartment complexes and shopping centers.
Dave Ramsey's core car rules emphasize paying cash, avoiding new cars (unless you're a millionaire), keeping your total vehicle value under half your annual income, and using a strict budget, often suggesting the 20/4/10 rule (20% down, 4-year loan, 10% total car expenses) as a guideline if financing, but preferring no debt at all to avoid depreciating assets trapping you. He stresses buying reliable, used vehicles to prevent debt and build wealth.
Don't leave valuables in your car
One way to attract a thief is to leave a purse, cell phone or another high-value item in a highly visible area of your car. It's best to leave anything of value at home, but, if you must have something important with you, keep it out of sight.
Which cars have the lowest theft rates? Vehicles with advanced security features and lower market desirability tend to have the lowest theft rates. Notable examples include the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90, and Subaru Ascent.
Black Cars
At least one study found that you're 47 percent more likely to be in a crash if you drive a black vehicle. Other studies also find that black is the most dangerous color, but offer a more reserved projection.
Signs your car is being targeted include subtle markings (chalk, scratches) on the body, tampered locks, moved mirrors, electronic glitches (radio static, key fob issues), missing or moved items inside, suspicious loiterers, unfamiliar vehicles circling, or physical obstructions like screws near tires; these often signal a thief scoping it out for theft or surveillance.
Keeping a glass of salt in your car is a popular winter hack to absorb moisture and prevent windshield fogging, or to provide traction for getting unstuck in snow/ice, but it's crucial to secure it well and use it cautiously due to potential corrosion and damage to your car's interior from spills. The salt works by lowering water's freezing point or by dehumidifying the air, but direct, large applications on paint or electronics should be avoided.
What do stats say about the least stolen vehicles? According to an insurance report by HLDI, vehicles like the Tesla and other fully electric vehicles remain among the hardest overall for thieves to steal. Volvo XC60, Subaru Ascent, and certain Chevy and GMC models are giving car thieves a run for their money also.
If you leave valuable items visible in your car, your car is automatically a target. Thieves are targeting purses, laptops, GPS units and MP3 players, which are easily sold. Additionally, computers, purses and wallets are highly desired targets that are stolen, to commit identity theft.
While many petty car thieves are just looking to make some quick cash, others may have more sinister motives. Leaving your car's title, registration, or insurance information in the glove box could put you at risk for identity theft-a far more complicated problem than losing $20 in cash.
According to the National Motorists Association, white-colored vehicles get pulled over the most. That said, red vehicles come in second, followed closely by gray and silver. Unsurprisingly, white cars are stopped by law enforcement because it's the most common vehicle color.
White is generally considered the safest car color due to its high visibility in various conditions, followed closely by silver, yellow, and cream/beige, with studies showing white cars have significantly lower crash risk than darker colors like black. These lighter colors provide better contrast against roads and blend in less with backgrounds, especially at night, dawn, and dusk, making them easier for other drivers to spot and reducing accident potential.
Most Popular Car Colors – iSeeCars.com Study
The team at iSeeCars.com conducted an analysis of over 20 million cars from model years 2004-2023 sold from January 2023 to April 2024 to determine the color distribution. After careful research, the answer is actually black and white.