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Hyundai And Kia Sedans Surpass Chevy Silverado On 2023 Most Stolen Vehicle List

For those whose fingers itch to lay hold of other peoples’ automotive property, the Hyundai and Kia sedans have become more tempting targets than the previous car theft favorite, the Chevy Silverado, according to the latest data for 2023 “grand theft auto” in the United States.

The latest report published by the National Insurance Crime Bureau or NICB indicates that the Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Optima were each stolen in considerably greater numbers than the Chevy Silverado during the 2023 calendar year. The following table provides the details:

NICB Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles In The United States In 2023
Rank Model 2023 Thefts
1 Hyundai Elantra 48,445
2 Hyundai Sonata 42,813
3 Kia Optima 30,204
4 Chevy Silverado 1500 23,721
5 Kia Soul 21,001
6 Honda Accord 20,895
7 Honda Civic 19,858
8 Kia Forte 16,209
9 Ford F-150 15,852
10 Kia Sportage 15,749

Full-size pickup trucks were the favorite plunder for American car thieves for years, with the Chevy Silverado at the top of the 2021 list of most-stolen vehicles in the USA. In that year, 48,206 Silverado pickups were stolen, compared to just 23,721 during all of 2023. The Bow Tie brand truck also topped the list in calendar 2022.

NICB ascribes the switch to Hyundai and Kia sedans – which occupy 6 of the top 10 slots on the list – to new information becoming available to thieves. Social media users are spreading techniques for easily stealing these two vehicle marques, making the sedans more attractive subjects for seizure by the criminal element.

Rear three quarters view of the Chevy Silverado.

NICB also points out that in excess of 85 percent of stolen vehicles are successfully recovered and restored to their original, lawful owner. In fact, slightly more than a third, or 34 percent, were found by police within 24 hours of the theft originally being reported, indicating that while Hyundai and Kia sedans may be easy to steal initially, most of the thieves soon discover that crime still doesn’t pay even in an era of online tips for theft “best practices.” Either that or thieves simply ditched the vehicles after a joyride.

The organization says that “it is crucial for owners to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their vehicles” despite the improved tech and strategies available for retrieving stolen cars and trucks. David Glawe, CEO of NICB, says that the study’s results “highlight the persistent threat of vehicle theft across the country.”

Cockpit view of the Chevy Silverado.

Vehicle thefts increased by about 1 percent overall between 2022 and 2023.

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Comments

  1. Remote-controlled ejector seats. That’s what we need.

    Reply
    1. A justice system that takes vehicle thieves seriously, versus letting them off an hour after being arrested. That’s what we need.

      Reply
      1. And the same should be happening for all criminals. If it is a crime, arrest, convict, and apply appropriate sentencing.
        When there is no consequences, there will be no stop to crime.

        Reply
  2. All these vehicles are old, so who cares?

    Reply
  3. Seems as the fob security codes for these imports was easily deciphered, so a thief can just open any of them as if he was the original owner, then just drive away. This happened before in the 1970s with Nissan keys using few cut combinations, such that one key can open and turn on almost any Nissan car.

    Reply
    1. In the 50’s and 60’s GM had very few key cut combinations also. In the small neighborhood where I grew up, my mom’s 1955 Buick key worked in one neighbors 1957 Oldsmobile, and another neighbors 1960 Impala.

      Reply
  4. The newer GM Trucks, with the right option packages should set their lock/ unlock settings to “auto Lock” after x seconds of closing door, that way the illegal fob frequency copying is less or nonexistent, at least that’s my understanding

    Reply
    1. That only locks the doors. It doesn’t put the fobs to sleep, which on average takes about 20 minutes.

      Reply
  5. Even the crooks are looking for better fuel economy.

    Reply
  6. Why would anyone want to steal a Kia or Hyundai? Low hanging fruit in the automotive world, I guess? And doesn’t gm say people no longer want sedans? I’m confused.

    Reply
  7. My ’15 Kia Soul got an anti-theft mod at the dealer, along with a steering wheel lock. I don’t live in a theft-prone area. And as previously stated, who the hell wants to steal it?! My ’21 Sierra regular cab still has the good old ignition key and manual windows and locks. I think that they need to ditch the fobs and go back to the theft immobilizing key.

    Reply
  8. Bond had a solution in “For Your Eyes Only”. Tough on the Lotus, but equally as tough on the criminal. No trial required. No danger of repeat offenses.

    Reply
    1. And a free show for the rest of us!

      Reply

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