These Are The 10 Least Stolen Cars On The Road

We’ve well documented in past posts the cars crime analysts say are the most stolen in the U.S. – they’re mostly older mainstream cars and trucks taken for their parts – but what about the models that thieves all but ignore?

The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) just issued a report that cites which late-model cars are most often driven off, based on insurance theft claims. The list is mostly populated with muscle cars and pickup trucks, with the Dodge Charger HEMI and Challenger Hellcat leading the pack. But perhaps surprisingly, HLDI’s list of the least stolen models is topped by what is one of the most coveted rides on the road, at least among auto enthusiasts, the BMW 3 Series. It registered just one claim for whole-vehicle theft in 104,901 insured vehicle years (an insured vehicle year is one vehicle insured for one year). The HLDI gives it a relative theft-claim frequency of 4, with 100 being the average among all vehicles.

Also on the list are two highly desirable electric vehicles, the Tesla Model S sedan and Model X crossover sport-utility vehicle. The report suggests their low theft rate may be related to the fact that they are usually securely parked in garages tethered to a power supply. Or electric cars might just be undesirable to thieves. A separate HLDI report found that electric vehicles in general have lower theft claim rates than comparable conventionally powered models.

Here’s HLDI’s list of the 10 least-stolen vehicles in the U.S. from the 2016-2018 model years:

10. Subaru Outback

Subaru’s original crossover sport-utility vehicle is the 10^thleast stolen vehicle from the 2016-2018 model years, according to a study of insurance theft claims conducted by the Highway Data Loss Institute. It has a reported relative theft-claim frequency of 22, with 100 being average among all vehicles.

9. Volkswagen Beetle

VW is cancelling the modern-day version of the iconic Beetle at the end of the current model year because of faltering sales. It apparently is also having trouble finding takers among car thieves, with a relative theft-claim frequency of 21.

8. Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a popular choice among compact crossover SUVs, but it’s not so popular among car thieves, with a relative theft-claim frequency of 20.

7. GMC Acadia

The three-row Acadia is a safe-and- sound family vehicle that also enjoys a low theft rate, with a relative theft-claim frequency of 19. The all-wheel-drive version has a relative theft-claim frequency of 20.

6. Subaru Legacy

The third Subaru on this list, the midsize Legacy sedan seems to fly under the radar of criminals with a relative theft-claim frequency of 17.

5. Buick Encore

The subcompact Encore crossover sport-utility vehicle outsells all other models in Buick’s lineup, and by a wide margin. But thieves largely ignore the Encore with the HLDI reporting a relative theft-claim frequency of 15.

4. Chevrolet Equinox

Compact crossover SUVs are the best selling models in the car business these days, with Chevy’s Equinox being among the most popular. But it’s shunned by crooks, with a relative theft-claim frequency of 15.

3. Tesla Model X

Tesla’s electric crossover sport-utility vehicle is the quickest of its kind, but it’s a slow starter among car thieves with a relative theft-claim frequency of 12.

2. Tesla Model S

The luxurious full-electric Tesla Model S offers a Ludicrous Mode that gives it rocket-like thrust, but criminals largely ignore it with a relative theft-claim frequency of 11 from the 2016-2018 model years.

1. BMW 3-Series

BMW’s sporty compact luxury sedan is the least stolen ride in America, according to HLDI, with a relative claim frequency of just 4. The average among all vehicles is 100. The all-wheel-drive 3 Series is a bit more popular among car thieves with a relative claim frequency of 21.

You can check out HLDI’s full report and extended vehicle lists here.