The Toyota RAV4 now tops the annual list of the top ten most stolen cars in Canada, according to the country’s national authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention Équité Association.

The SUV was stolen over 2,000 times across the country in 2024, reflecting its high demand, global serviceability, and high resale value, which maximizes criminal profits from illegal domestic and international sales, the association said.

Auto theft losses in the country now exceed $1 billion annually in claims.

Newer model SUVs, particularly those with keyless security vulnerabilities, remain prime targets for sophisticated criminal networks nationally, especially in Quebec and Ontario.

“While we see early positive signs of progress, auto theft remains a national issue that has become a significant funding source for organized crime groups. Despite an overall 19 percent decrease nationwide, auto theft continues to cost Canadians over $1 billion in losses each year. This means that honest, hardworking Canadians still bear the true emotional and financial burden of this crime,” says Terri O’Brien, president & CEO, Équité Association. “On behalf of our members, Équité will continue to collaborate with Public Safety Canada to leverage the momentum from the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft on this critical Canadian safety issue and champion preventative measures, like mandating the ULC 338 anti-theft standard, to stop these thefts before they start.”

Bryan Gast, the national VP of Investigative Services at Équité Association, noted a shift towards stolen vehicles being re-VINed for sale or disassembled in illegal chop shops and sold for parts.

He expects the trend will continue as the cost to buy and maintain vehicles continues to increase, adding that they’ve seen a 47.5 percent spike in thefts of high-value ($200,000+) luxury vehicles.