The Dodge Charger maintains its infamous status in the world of auto theft, once again taking the top spot on the Highway Loss Data Institute’s (HLDI) list of the most stolen cars in the United States for the model years 2020 to 2022. Four Kia models have risen to the top 20 list thanks to an unanticipated viral trend that targets Hyundai-Kia vehicles, but we’ll get to that in a moment.
Theft claims involving the Charger in the SRT Hellcat variant outpaced the standard by a factor of more than 60 times the average for all models from 2020 to 2022, according to HLDI’s most recent comprehensive data on car thefts. The HEMI-powered Charger model also experienced theft reports elevated by more than 20 times the average during the same period.
The Charger and Challenger models with strong, powerful engines have constantly appeared among the top five most stolen cars for more than 10 years; this trend started with the model year 2011. What is notable, though, is how quickly these theft accusations have grown. The number of whole-vehicle theft claims for the 2020–22 Charger SRT Hellcat models increased to 25 claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years, a significant increase from the 19–18 claims for the 2019–21 models. The 2017–19 Infiniti Q60 offers a dramatic contrast, with just two thefts per 1,000 insured vehicle years.
While the Charger models continue to be infamous, cars from other brands have unfortunately joined them in the sad spotlight of regular theft. These include three full-sized pickups and premium vehicles from brands like BMW, Infiniti, and Land Rover. Notably, the lineup also includes reasonably priced models from Honda, Kia, and Nissan, offering a wide range of automobiles.
The top 20 most stolen cars in the US for the model years 2020–2022 are listed below:
| Make and model | Vehicle size/type | Relative claim frequency (100 = average) |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat | Large car | 6,128 |
| Dodge Charger HEMI | Large car | 2,197 |
| Infiniti Q50 | Mid-size luxury car | 878 |
| Dodge Challenger | Large car | 766 |
| Land Rover Range Rover 4WD | Large luxury SUV | 611 |
| Kia Sportage | Small SUV | 479 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4WD | Large luxury SUV | 460 |
| Kia Sportage 4WD | Small SUV | 415 |
| Honda CR-V 4WD | Small SUV | 409 |
| BMW X6 4WD | Mid-size luxury SUV | 361 |
| Kia Rio | Minicar | 359 |
| Kia Forte | Small car | 357 |
| Ford F-350 SuperCrew 4WD | Very large pickup | 349 |
| BMW X7 4WD | Large luxury SUV | 338 |
| Ford F-250 SuperCrew 4WD | Very large pickup | 337 |
| Honda Accord | Mid-size car | 306 |
| Ram 3500 crew cab long-wheelbase 4WD | Very large pickup | 306 |
| Infiniti Q50 4WD | Mid-size luxury car | 287 |
| Nissan Maxima | Mid-size car | 284 |
| Honda CR-V | Small SUV | 270 |
As previously indicated, theft records show a large increase in the theft of Hyundai and Kia automobiles, which is related to the finding that a sizeable portion lacked sophisticated electronic immobilization devices, leaving them open to thieves. Four Kia vehicles have risen to the top of the HLDI list as a result of this revelation. In contrast, 6 of the 20 models with the lowest claims for entire vehicle theft are electric vehicle models, and the same number are produced by General Motors.
