Hyundai and Kia were a hit with thieves last year, but a new study from the National Insurance Crime Bureau reveals full-size pickups were the hottest vehicles of 2022.
More than 25 percent of thefts reported last year involved full-size trucks and Chevrolet pickups were the most popular as 49,903 were stolen in the United States. Ford trucks weren’t far behind as 48,175 thefts were reported in 2022. The only other full-size truck to crack the top ten list was from GMC as thieves made off with 16,622 ‘professional grade’ pickups.
Unsurprisingly, Hyundai was well represented as the National Insurance Crime Bureau noted the Sonata and Elantra were new additions to the top ten list. This change was undoubtedly fueled by social media and the lack of an immobilizer.
More: Thefts Of Hyundai And Kia Models Are Soaring Throughout The U.S.
21,707 Hyundai Sonatas were stolen in the United States last year with most of them from the 2013 model year. It was closely followed by the Hyundai Elantra as thieves made off with 19,602 of them. Likewise, 18,221 Kia Optimas were stolen with most of them being from the 2015 model year.
While the surge in Hyundai and Kia thefts isn’t surprising, there is some good news as the National Insurance Crime Bureau noted “recovery rates for Hyundais and Kias between 87 and 95 percent.” This meshes with anecdotal evidence that suggested many of the vehicles were stolen for joyrides.
Vehicle thefts increased 7% last year and one vehicle was stolen every 32 seconds. That means over one million vehicles were taken in 2022, but more than 85 percent were recovered including 34 percent that were recovered within a day of being reported stolen.
To lessen the chances of being a victim, never leave your keys in the car. That’s common sense, but countless vehicles are stolen every year with the keys in them.