Vehicle theft is not distributed equally across the automotive market. The car parked on one New York street may be significantly more attractive to thieves than another vehicle sitting only a few spaces away.
Popularity, security technology, replacement-parts demand, resale potential, and known vulnerabilities can all affect how frequently a particular model becomes a target.
New York provides an important case study. The state’s Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention program reported 28,272 motor vehicle thefts in 2024, a 27 percent reduction from the previous year. Even after that decline, New York remained among the states with the highest theft totals by volume.
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services also noted that Hyundai and Kia vehicles had dominated the top stolen make and model rankings since 2023, with many counties continuing to report a prevalence of thefts involving the two brands.
The words “theft rate” require some explanation. Raw theft totals and theft claim frequency are not identical measurements. A common vehicle can record thousands of thefts, partly because millions of examples are on American roads.
The Highway Loss Data Institute takes another approach by comparing whole-vehicle theft insurance claims with insured vehicle years. Its latest study of 2022 through 2024 model-year passenger vehicles found an average of 0.45 whole-vehicle theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years.
For this article, New York’s documented theft patterns are considered alongside current national model-level theft and insurance-loss data.
This is necessary because publicly available New York reports do not provide a complete insured-vehicle theft rate for every individual make and model. Presenting national figures as if they were New York-specific rates would create a misleading comparison.
The differences are striking. Hyundai sedans have remained major theft targets, while high-performance vehicles such as the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 show extraordinary claim frequencies relative to their numbers on the road. At the opposite end, several electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles appear among the least frequently stolen models in HLDI data.
These rankings do not mean every high-risk car in New York will be stolen or that a low-frequency vehicle is theft-proof. Location, parking arrangements, model year, installed security equipment, and owner behavior still matter. What the data does show is that the vehicle itself can significantly change the theft-risk equation.
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5 Cars With the Highest Theft Rates in New York
1. Hyundai Elantra
No vehicle better demonstrates the modern shift in American car theft than the Hyundai Elantra. NICB identified it as the most stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, recording 21,732 reported thefts.
That national position is particularly relevant in New York because state criminal justice officials have specifically documented the prevalence of Hyundai and Kia thefts across multiple counties.
The problem has been strongly associated with certain older vehicles that were not equipped with electronic engine immobilizers. Social media videos publicized methods of exploiting ignition systems on vulnerable models, helping turn some Hyundai vehicles into highly visible theft targets.
There has been measurable improvement. Hyundai introduced an anti-theft software upgrade for eligible vehicles, and HLDI research found that whole-vehicle theft claim frequency was 64 percent lower for vehicles with the upgrade than comparable vehicles without it. The results show that security changes can make a major difference.
Yet the Elantra’s continued position at the top of NICB’s 2025 national theft list explains why it leads this section. New York buyers should never assume every Elantra carries the same risk. Model year, ignition type, immobilizer equipment, and completion of the anti-theft upgrade all matter.
For an older used Elantra, checking the VIN for campaign eligibility and confirming completed security work should be part of the buying process. A visible steering-wheel lock may provide another deterrent in street-parking situations.
The Elantra remains popular because it is practical and efficient, but the documented theft history surrounding vulnerable versions makes security a serious ownership consideration in New York.
- Engine: 2.0-liter inline-four
- Torque: 132 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm
- Horsepower: 147 hp at 6,200 rpm
- Length/Width: 184.1 inches / 71.9 inches
2. Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata reaches the same high-risk conversation through a slightly different path. Rather than being a niche performance car stolen in disproportionate numbers, it is a familiar midsize sedan that has appeared near the top of national theft totals.
NICB recorded 17,687 Sonata thefts in 2023, making it America’s third most stolen vehicle by reported volume.
New York’s own theft reports make that figure difficult to dismiss. State officials have highlighted Hyundai and Kia vehicles as dominant targets since 2023, linking the increase to publicized methods of bypassing security systems on certain vehicles.
Age and equipment are crucial distinctions. The theft issue does not apply equally to every Sonata ever manufactured. Specific older key-start vehicles lacking an electronic immobilizer became central to the broader Hyundai theft problem. Newer vehicles and upgraded eligible models can have different security arrangements.
HLDI’s analysis of Hyundai and Kia anti-theft software provides encouraging evidence. Theft claim frequency fell substantially for upgraded vehicles. Even so, the organizations studying the trend found Hyundai and Kia theft claim frequencies remained high compared with other brands during the examined period.
This is why a used Sonata in New York requires a security history check as well as a mechanical inspection. Buyers should confirm whether the vehicle was eligible for an anti-theft update and whether that work was completed. The presence of security stickers alone should not replace documentation.
The Sonata’s large national theft total and New York’s documented Hyundai theft problem justify its place here. A well-protected newer model may present a very different risk, but vulnerable older versions remain important vehicles for New York owners to recognize.
- Engine: 2.5-liter GDI/MPI inline-four
- Torque: 181 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm
- Horsepower: 191 hp at 6,100 rpm
- Length/Width: 193.3 inches / 73.2 inches
3. Honda Accord
The Honda Accord’s position near the top of America’s stolen-vehicle rankings shows that thieves do not limit their attention to performance cars or luxury SUVs. The National Insurance Crime Bureau recorded 17,797 Honda Accord thefts in 2025, making it the second most stolen vehicle by total reported thefts nationwide.
For New York drivers, the Accord deserves attention because it is a common midsize sedan with a long history on American roads. Large numbers of older Accords remain in circulation, creating a broad population of vehicles that can differ dramatically in factory security technology.
A 20-year-old Accord and a current-generation model should not be treated as having identical theft exposure.
Popularity can also influence raw theft totals. The Accord has been sold in the United States for decades, and a large existing vehicle population gives thieves more potential targets. Parts demand and familiarity with older models can add to the attraction. This is different from the Camaro ZL1 situation, where unusually high claim frequency is the primary concern.
New York buyers should focus on the exact model year. Modern Accords include considerably more advanced electronic systems than earlier generations, while older examples may benefit from visible physical deterrents and professionally installed security equipment.
The Accord appears here because 17,797 reported national thefts in 2025 cannot be ignored. Its reputation for durability may make it a sensible used-car purchase, but New York street parking adds another factor to the ownership calculation. Security conditions deserve the same attention as the engine, transmission, and maintenance records.
- Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four
- Torque: 192 lb-ft at 1,700 to 5,000 rpm
- Horsepower: 192 hp at 6,000 rpm
- Length/Width: 195.7 inches / 73.3 inches
4. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Pickup truck theft creates a different problem from the social-media-driven theft trend surrounding certain compact sedans. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is valuable, widely available, and useful in numerous markets, characteristics that can make stolen trucks financially attractive.
NICB’s 2025 national rankings placed the Silverado 1500 among America’s five most stolen vehicles. The truck also recorded 8,006 thefts during the first half of 2025, ranking fourth during those six months.
Why does that matter in an article focused on New York? The state’s theft environment is not isolated from broader national patterns. New York recorded tens of thousands of vehicle thefts annually in recent years, and a high-value pickup can present a different target profile from an older commuter sedan.
The Silverado name also covers many configurations. Work trucks, crew-cab models, luxury-oriented High Country versions, and powerful V8-equipped pickups can differ significantly in value. Buyers should therefore avoid assuming every Silverado carries the same theft exposure.
Security deserves particular attention when a truck is regularly left outdoors. Owners can consider layered deterrence, including secure parking when available, physical steering-wheel protection, and manufacturer security updates applicable to the specific vehicle.
The Silverado’s presence here is driven by documented theft volume rather than speculation about pickup trucks. Its 2025 ranking confirms that the model remains a major target nationally. For New York owners, the truck’s substantial value and broad demand make theft protection an important part of ownership.
- Engine: 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8
- Torque: 383 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm
- Horsepower: 355 hp at 5,600 rpm
- Length/Width: 232.9 inches / 81.2 inches
5. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 changes the theft discussion from raw totals to exposure-adjusted risk. HLDI’s study of 2022 through 2024 model-year vehicles found that the ZL1 had the highest whole-vehicle theft claim frequency in its analysis. Relative to the number of insured examples on the road, its theft rate was 39 times the average for all passenger vehicles.
That statistic is why the ZL1 deserves a place in a New York theft-risk discussion, even though it is far less common than a Hyundai Elantra or Honda Accord. A smaller vehicle population can produce fewer total thefts while still facing a much greater theft frequency.
Performance and desirability are part of the picture. The ZL1’s supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 produces 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. HLDI noted that vehicles high on its theft list tended to be relatively expensive and powerful.
The institute also pointed to a vulnerability that can make certain Camaros easier to steal for thieves with the right knowledge and technology.
For New York owners, especially those relying on outdoor or street parking, factory security should not be treated as the only layer of protection. The ZL1’s exceptional HLDI theft frequency is the reason it completes the high-risk section.
- Engine: 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8
- Torque: 650 lb-ft
- Horsepower: 650 hp
- Length/Width: 190.2 inches / 75.0 inches
5 Cars With the Lowest Theft Rates in New York
1. Tesla Model 3 AWD
The difference between the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Tesla Model 3 AWD is remarkable. HLDI assigned the Camaro ZL1 a relative whole-vehicle theft claim frequency of 3,949. The Model 3 AWD recorded a relative frequency of only 1, the lowest figure in the 2022 through 2024 model-year table.
That does not mean only one Model 3 has ever been stolen. HLDI’s figure is an exposure-adjusted index where 100 represents the average passenger vehicle. A rating of 1 indicates exceptionally low theft claim frequency relative to the broader insured vehicle population.
Tesla’s connected vehicle design gives owners access to several security-related functions. The car can be linked to a mobile app, while location and vehicle controls are deeply integrated into its electronic architecture. Electric vehicles may also spend more time near charging locations or private property than gasoline cars routinely parked away from home.
For a New York buyer, the Model 3’s ranking is particularly notable because HLDI adjusts for insured vehicle exposure. The sedan is not appearing at the bottom simply because almost nobody drives one.
No owner should abandon basic precautions. Keys and authenticated mobile devices still require protection, and secure parking remains valuable. Yet measured theft claim data places the Model 3 AWD at the lowest end of HLDI’s latest table. Its relative claim frequency of 1 is the main reason it leads the low-theft section.
- Engine: Dual electric motors
- Torque: Not officially published by Tesla
- Horsepower: Not officially published by Tesla
- Length/Width: 185.8 inches / 72.8 inches
2. Tesla Model Y AWD
Size does not automatically make an SUV a more attractive theft target. The Tesla Model Y AWD demonstrates this clearly. In HLDI’s analysis of 2022 through 2024 model-year vehicles, the electric crossover recorded a relative whole-vehicle theft claim frequency of just 2. Only the Model 3 AWD ranked lower in the published table.
That result becomes more impressive when the Model Y’s vehicle type is considered. SUVs, pickups, and high-value performance models occupy numerous positions among the highest theft claim frequencies. The Model Y moves in the opposite direction despite offering the practicality and passenger space associated with a crossover.
Its electronic architecture may help explain part of the difference. Tesla vehicles are heavily connected, and owners can interact with the car through the manufacturer’s mobile application. Location-related capabilities and software-based controls can complicate the traditional theft environment associated with older vehicles.
Charging behavior may provide another practical factor. Electric vehicle owners frequently park close to their homes, garages, or established charging equipment. HLDI has previously discussed the possibility that this parking pattern contributes to the low theft frequencies recorded by EVs.
For New York drivers, the important number is 2. HLDI uses 100 to represent the average vehicle, placing the Model Y AWD dramatically below the passenger-vehicle benchmark for whole-vehicle theft claims.
The Model Y can still be stolen, and connected security does not replace sensible parking habits. However, the insurance claim data is exceptionally favorable. Among newer vehicles measured by HLDI, few models have recorded a lower relative theft claim frequency.
- Engine: Dual electric motors
- Torque: Not officially published by Tesla
- Horsepower: Not officially published by Tesla
- Length/Width: 187.0 inches / 75.6 inches
3. Toyota RAV4 Prime
A plug-in hybrid SUV might appear attractive to thieves because of its relatively high purchase price, but HLDI’s data places the Toyota RAV4 Prime near the opposite end of the theft spectrum.
For 2022 through 2024 model years, the RAV4 Prime recorded a relative whole-vehicle theft claim frequency of just 5, compared with 100 for the average passenger vehicle.
The result becomes more significant when exposure is considered. HLDI analyzed 76,305 insured vehicle years for the RAV4 Prime and identified only two qualifying whole-vehicle theft claims in its dataset. Its low ranking, therefore, comes from standardized insurance-loss analysis rather than a simple list of police theft totals.
For New York drivers, the RAV4 Prime presents an interesting contrast with high-theft vehicles. It combines strong performance and SUV practicality without appearing near the high end of HLDI’s theft-frequency rankings.
Its plug-in hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors. Toyota rates the combined system at 302 horsepower. The electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system also gives the vehicle the traction many New York buyers seek for changing seasonal conditions.
The RAV4 Prime is not impossible to steal, and ordinary security precautions remain necessary. Still, its relative claim frequency of 5 places it among the least frequently stolen 2022 through 2024 vehicle series measured by HLDI.
- Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid
- Torque: 165 lb-ft from the gasoline engine
- Horsepower: 302 hp combined system output
- Length/Width: 180.9 inches / 73.0 inches
4. Tesla Model S AWD
Luxury cars frequently attract attention in theft discussions because of their high values, but the Tesla Model S AWD breaks that pattern.
HLDI placed the electric sedan among the 20 vehicles with the lowest whole-vehicle theft claim frequencies for 2022 through 2024 model years. Its relative claim frequency was only 5, far below the all-passenger-vehicle benchmark of 100.
The underlying numbers are equally striking. HLDI recorded 65,813 insured vehicle years of exposure and only two qualifying whole-vehicle theft claims for the Model S AWD. After standardization for factors including garaging state, vehicle density, driver characteristics, and model year, the car remained near the bottom of the theft frequency table.
This is particularly noteworthy because the Model S is not an inexpensive commuter car. HLDI found many expensive and powerful vehicles among its highest-theft models, yet this Tesla moved in the opposite direction.
Connected vehicle technology and the ownership patterns surrounding EVs may contribute to low theft frequencies. Electric cars are often parked close to charging infrastructure, while Tesla vehicles use a deeply integrated electronic architecture.
For New York buyers concerned about whole-vehicle theft, the Model S presents a fascinating statistical exception. Its luxury positioning and strong performance do not translate into a high HLDI theft claim frequency.
Basic security precautions are still essential, but a relative frequency of 5 gives the Model S AWD one of the strongest theft-loss records in the study.
- Engine: Dual electric motors
- Torque: Not officially published by Tesla
- Horsepower: Not officially published by Tesla
- Length/Width: 197.7 inches / 78.2 inches
5. Volvo XC90 AWD
The Volvo XC90 AWD finishes the list because its theft claim record provides a sharp contrast with the high-risk vehicles discussed earlier.
HLDI’s analysis of 2022 through 2024 model-year vehicles gave the XC90 AWD a relative whole-vehicle theft claim frequency of only 6, with 100 representing the average for all passenger vehicles. The study recorded three qualifying claims across 93,178 insured vehicle years of exposure.
Unlike the electric vehicles dominating several positions near the bottom of HLDI’s ranking, the XC90 is a conventional luxury SUV in its standard mild-hybrid form. That makes its position particularly interesting.
Expensive vehicles and powerful models frequently appear near the high end of theft data, yet the XC90 AWD ranked sixth among the 20 vehicle series with the lowest relative claim frequencies in the report.
HLDI’s methodology also strengthens the comparison. Results were standardized for factors including garaging state, vehicle density, calendar year, driver age, and other variables. The XC90’s low figure, therefore, reflects more than a simple raw count of stolen SUVs.
For New York buyers wanting a larger premium vehicle, this data gives the XC90 an important statistical advantage. No luxury SUV is immune to theft, and owners should continue using sensible security precautions.
Still, a relative claim frequency of 6 places the XC90 AWD far below the passenger-vehicle average and firmly among HLDI’s least frequently stolen models.
- Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-four
- Torque: 310 lb-ft
- Horsepower: 247 hp
- Length/Width: 195.0 inches / 79.1 inches
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