Car thieves have expensive taste and zero interest in going electric, according to new data revealing America’s most and least stolen vehicles. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 topped the theft charts, getting pinched 39 times more often than the average car.
The Highway Loss Data Institute’s latest report shows muscle cars dominate the most wanted list. The ZL1’s insane theft rate of 3,949 relative frequency claims dwarfs everything else, followed by the Acura TLX 4WD and standard Camaro. Chevrolet models claimed three of the top 10 spots, proving thieves appreciate American horsepower.
Heavy-duty trucks also attract criminal attention. The GMC Sierra 3500 crew cab and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 crew cab both cracked the top 10, alongside premium targets like the Land Rover Range Rover and Ram 1500 crew cab.
The pattern is clear. Thieves want power, performance, and resale value. High-horsepower sports cars and expensive trucks check all those boxes, making them irresistible to criminal networks looking for quick profits.
Electric vehicles, on the other hand, are practically theft-proof. Tesla models dominated the least stolen list, with the Model 3 4WD posting the lowest theft rate possible. The Model Y, Model S, and Toyota RAV4 Prime hybrid also ranked among the safest bets for keeping your car in your driveway.
Industry experts note that muscle cars consistently attract thieves due to their high horsepower and performance credentials. The more expensive ZL1 variant gets targeted far more frequently than standard Camaro models, which indicates criminals understand premium market values.
Technical vulnerabilities make some targets easier. Modern vehicles can be stolen using cloned key fobs, with reports suggesting Chevrolet models face particular risks from technical glitches that simplify the process.
The numbers tell the theft story clearly. Over 850,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2024, with Colorado leading state rankings at 66 monthly thefts per 100,000 residents.
For car buyers, the message is simple. Want maximum theft protection? Buy electric. Want maximum theft risk? Buy a ZL1 and invest heavily in security systems.
