At the Biscuit, we like to keep you informed of the perils of owning certain vehicles in the sights of thieves. Some of the vehicles on this list will surprise you, while some not so much. We’ll also show you recent “Most Stolen” posts to see what has changed if anything over time. 

Compiled by the National Insurance Crime Bureau it breaks out different types of vehicles and in this one, we’re talking about new vehicles. The most stolen vehicles overall are still the 2000 Honda Civic and 1997 Accord. 

But we’re talkin’ new vehicles here. Specifically, the most likely vehicles to be stolen based on the relative claim frequency of vehicle theft. In other words, the most likely new vehicle to get swiped. 

The FBI says a vehicle is stolen every 42.2 seconds in the US which is a staggering amount of iron. This list is an average taking in the years 2016-2018.

1. Dodge Charger Hemi

The NIBC says the Charger equipped with the V8 Hemi is five times the average claim rate to likely be stolen. This is based on the payoff being around the same amount as for a total loss from an accident. It is what is called a “whole-vehicle theft claim.” It also comes in at number eight as the most stolen vehicle in 2018 in the US. A total of 719 were stolen back then.

2. Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

Based on the small number of Hellcats produced coming in second on this list means there is a very high likelihood of theft. It also means that it is obviously not random but rather a targeted vehicle. Hellcat owners, you are now forewarned.

3. Infiniti Q50

Who knew. Not that the Q50 isn’t desirable, all of you Q50 owners. It’s just that for a vehicle selling around 40,000 the last few years it is surprising thieves target it. According to the NICB, the high likelihood of theft is based on its ease of starting the car. Thieves replace a control module from a scrapped Nissan and use the key to fire it up. Easy-peasy.

4. Infiniti QX80

The above Infiniti scenario applies to its luxury SUV. It also has a nice 5.6-liter V8, which is similar to the first two Dodge cars on this list. Infiniti owners should get good tracking systems or keep your vehicle garaged.

5. GMC Sierra 1500

Though the most stolen vehicle based on reported thefts it comes in at number 5 for the three-year average. Trucks and SUVs should be at the top of the thieves’ list because there are so many. That means the opportunity is there and also the demand for parts is an added factor. The more of them that there are the more that needs to be fixed.

6. Dodge Challenger

The Challenger lands a second showing on this list, this time the standard Hemi model. The Challenger has been around so long there are a lot of them and as with the GMC Sierra the more there are the more opportunity exists. Sales of Challengers actually went up in 2019 so expect this trend to continue.

7. Nissan Maxima

Another surprise, but whatever applies to the Infiniti surely applies to Nissan. The opportunity isn’t as great but the ease of getting it started and driving away is too good to pass up. The Nissan Altima is also on this list so are you starting to see a pattern?

8. Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

In this case, we’re talking about two-wheel-drive models. The four-wheel-drive version lands at 17th place so it’s hard to say why thieves prefer the two-wheel-drive model. It could be drivetrain demand or that there are just more of them.

9. Chrysler 300 AWD

Just the opposite of the Silverado is the case here as the all-wheel-drive 300 is the preferred choice. As with the Challenger, these have been around for over 15 years so there’s a bunch of them and lots of demand for parts.

10. Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan

To be specific the preferred Merc is the long-wheelbase, all-wheel-drive version. Thieves are so picky. Especially since there are very few of these Mercs floating around and most all are properly garaged. Some will even travel with a chauffeur that sticks around the car. Who knows? Could it be once picked they get sold overseas? Is this how North Korea’s Kim Jung Un got his Merc?