Top 10 Stolen Sport Utility and Crossover Vehicles in America

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has released a list of the top stolen sport utility and crossover vehicles in the United States, compiling data from 2009-2011 model years only. In total, entry-level CUVs were the most stolen with 6,357 thefts while hybrid SUVs were the least with 67 – of course, there aren’t as many hybrid SUVs on the road as there are entry-level CUVs. The information also revealed that California had the most thefts with 3,003 with Texas in second (1,826 thefts) and Florida third (1,784 thefts).

The 10th most stolen SUV/CUV from 2009-2011 model years was the Nissan Murano, with 473 thefts last year. The mid-size crossover from Nissan first hit the market in 2002 as a 2003 model year and was the automaker’s first crossover for the U.S. market. The second-generation Murano began with the 2009 model year and got revised exterior styling that seems to have become a hit with some thieves.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Nissan Murano Previewed in Resonance Concept

Next on the list is Nissan’s other crossover, the Rogue. Originally introduced in 2007 as a 2008 model year, the smaller Rogue is the Japanese automaker’s entry-level SUV in America. Powered by a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine the Rogue has 170 hp and a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). Recently, Nissan revealed the Hi-Cross Concept, which gives us a good preview of what the future Rogue has in store.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Nissan Rogue Sneek Peak: 2012 LA Auto Show Preview

Eighth place on the list is the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which recently got updated and debuted at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The updated version of the American automaker’s hot-selling SUV now comes with a 3.0-liter powerplant with 420 lb-ft of torque while maintaining an impressive 30-mpg rating on the highway. Hopefully that won’t attract even more thieves, since the 2009-2011 model year Grand Cherokees are a popular target.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Pricing Leaked, Diesel Costs $4,500 Premium

Another Jeep lands onto the list in seventh place with the Wrangler. The compact four-wheel drive SUV is undoubtedly popular for its off-road capabilities and is currently enjoying its fourth iteration on the market. The Wrangler originally debuted in 1987 and has continued the tradition of rugged, off-road styling since. Last year, Chrysler gave the Wrangler a new powertrain – fitting its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 under the hood with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Review

Honda joins the list with its popular CR-V model, which also got overhauled for the 2013 model year. On the market since 1995, the SUV has been a popular choice among Honda enthusiasts that find the Pilot too big. It’s the Japanese automaker’s smallest SUV offering, unless you consider the Element in the same class. But now that the Element has been discontinued, the CR-V is Honda’s entry-level SUV and its popularity on the streets undoubtedly have made it more appealing among thieves.

SEE ALSO: Five-Point Inspection: 2013 Honda CR-V LX

Dodge’s only entry in the top 10 is from its Journey model, with 721 thefts landing it in the fifth spot. It’s also one of the cheapest SUVs/CUVs on the market today. In fact, it is America’s most affordable seven-passenger vehicle with a starting MSRP of $18,995. Its history isn’t very rich though, which is surprising that so many thefts have already occurred. In fact, 2009 was the first model year the Journey even existed, so it’s been a popular vehicle to steal ever since it hit the streets.

SEE ALSO: 2012 Dodge Journey Starts at $18,995, Third-Row Seating Free in March

Ford cracks the top 10 list with its Edge mid-sized crossover that has been popular since it hit the market as a 2007 model. It received a facelift in 2010, getting a new front bumper, wheels, and upgraded interior amenities. For the second-generation Edge, the American automaker offers three engine choices: 2.0-liter EcoBoost, a 3.5-liter Duratec, and a 3.7-liter Duratec. The Edge has continued to be a strong seller for the brand, with 127,969 units sold last year.

SEE ALSO: 2012 Ford Edge EcoBoost Review: First Drive

The sole Toyota in the top 10 list is the RAV4 with 801 2009-2011 model year thefts last year. The Japanese automaker recently gave its RAV4 some major changes, helping make it more appealing to mainstream buyers. It is also one of the oldest compact crossovers on the market, having first been introduced in America back in 1996. Some have argued that the early sales success of the RAV4 inspired other automakers to follow suit, such as Ford with its Escape.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Toyota RAV4 Review – Video

Number-two on the list is the Chevrolet Tahoe, a full-size SUV offering from General Motors. In 1995, the American automaker changed the name of its Blazer model to the Tahoe while introduce a four-door variant at the same time. Even in its early years, the Tahoe was a popular SUV, earning Motor Trend‘s nod as the Truck of the Year in 1996. Its design got updated in late 2005 as a 2007 model, which means it’s due for a big change rather soon.

Last, but hardly least, the most popular stolen SUV/CUV last year was the 2009-2011 model years Ford Escape. Breaking the 1,000-theft mark with 1,014 thefts, the Escape is a compact crossover that was first introduced onto the market in 2000 as a ’01 model year. It’s priced below the Ford Explorer and was the result of a joint-development process with Japanese automaker Mazda. The American automaker recently made a huge gamble, giving its 2013 Ford Escape a huge change doing away with its traditional, boxy design.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Ford Escape Review – Video