Honda CR-V Tops Canada's Most Stolen List as Organized Crime Persists

The Honda CR-V has once again emerged as the most stolen vehicle in Canada, according to a 2025 report from the Équité Association. The data shows 2,137 CR-V thefts nationwide, with Ontario serving as a primary hotspot where 1,598 of those thefts occurred—nearly three-quarters of the national total.

Reporting from CityNews Toronto notes that SUVs and pickup trucks continue to be the preferred targets for organized auto theft rings. While the Honda CR-V led the list, other high-target models in 2025 included the Honda Civic (1,813 thefts), Toyota RAV4 (1,147 thefts), and the Ram 1500 Series (1,072 thefts). Within Ontario, the Lexus RX Series trailed the Honda Civic, which ranked second with 1,041 thefts, while the Lexus saw 863 stolen vehicles.

Bryan Gast, national vice-president of investigative services at Équité Association, told CBC Toronto that Canada remains a "lucrative market" for criminal networks. Gast noted that Interpol continues to view Canada as a "source nation" for stolen vehicles, which are often exported overseas, dismantled for parts, or resold using fraudulent documents. Gast specifically highlighted that vehicles with keyless entry systems are more vulnerable to security breaches, which can occur in under a minute.

While government agencies have implemented increased border inspections and law enforcement coordination, and automakers have introduced improved encryption, Équité Association suggests the concentration of thefts among specific models proves that organized criminal networks remain adaptable. Liam McGuinty, vice-president of federal affairs for the Insurance Bureau of Canada, told CBC Toronto that the organization has been pushing for updates to motor vehicle safety standards for years to ensure consistent security across all manufacturers.