Hyundai and Kia aren’t the most stolen cars in every US state
Years ago, a TikTok challenge showed viewers how to steal certain popular, immobilizer-free Hyundai and Kia models in mere seconds. Just like that, the popularity of the brands’ vehicles for car thieves and joyriders exploded. But even with social media step-by-step videos on car thefts, the vehicles aren’t the most targeted models in every state. Far from it.
Thieves stole over 58,000 Hyundai sedans in 2024, and they still don’t top the list in every state
Granted, the prevalence of social media trends like the “Kia Challenge” launched Hyundai and Kia vehicles to tremendous popularity for theft. Thieves stole 31,712 Elantras last year and 26,720 Sonata sedans last year. As a result, the Elantra is the most-stolen thing on four wheels in 21 of the country’s 50 states. Nothing else comes close.
But that’s still a long way from dominating the theft figures of every state. In Washington, Nevada, Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, and 16 other states, the Elantra is the most popular target for car theft. However, the Elantra’s midsized sibling, the Sonata, tops the list in just one state: Kentucky.
Last year, thieves stole 419 Hyundai Sonatas in the Bluegrass State, more than any other model. But even with the No. 2 spot among the most frequently stolen cars in America, Finance Buzz reports that another model from a different make takes the cake in 9 states.
| Make and model | No of states (Most stolen) | Total stolen |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Elantra | 21 | 31,712 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 1 | 26,720 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 9 | 21,666 |
| Honda Accord | 4 | 18,539 |
| Kia Optima | 0 | 17,493 |
The Chevrolet Silverado does more than top the pickup segment; it’s the most stolen vehicle in Texas, California, and 7 other states
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is the most-stolen model in nine US states. That includes California and Texas, the two most populous states in the country. The Lone Star State is the worst landscape for Silverado theft, with 6,453 stolen models in 2024 alone. California follows Texas on the list, with 6,248 Silverado thefts last year.
It makes sense, too. Rural and suburban parts of Texas and California, of which there are many, are popular spots for the Chevrolet Silverado and its closest rival, the Ford F-150. However, despite outselling the Silverado every year for over four decades, insurance claim data suggests that thieves stole 8,714 fewer F-150s last year.
