Great news, Subie lovers! Not a single Subaru model is included on the most recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI)’s “Most-Stolen Vehicles” list. But one of ours, the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek compact AWD SUV, is on the list of “Least-Stolen Vehicles.” There are many reasons for loving the Crosstrek, but this is a very important one.

Why? With 430.0 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people, Colorado had the third-highest number of auto thefts per 100,000 people in the United States. That adds up to 25,378 total vehicles stolen. A lot, and even so, it was actually 24% less than in the previous count. Overall, vehicle thefts are declining, but that’s cold comfort when you’re the victim. 

Where and When Vehicle Theft Happens

Vehicle theft target locations vary, but parking on roads and streets and parking lots and garages are the two faves. Not surprising, since that’s where the largest concentration of vehicles is found. And – also not surprising – thieves focus on hours late in the afternoon until the early morning to do their dirty work: 8 p.m. to Midnight, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Midnight to 4 a.m. Another not-surprising fact: cities are favored targets, with Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Colorado Springs and Westminster leading the way.

While the Colorado Auto Theft Authority reported that 86% of all reported stolen vehicles are recovered – more than the national average – they often need extensive repairs and cleaning and may be dismantled entirely, presumably to be pedaled for parts.

Protect Yourself

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Dealing with insurance is a pain in the you-know-what, and the victim always ends up on the losing end, even with good insurance. There are some theft-prevention steps you can take:

 

• If you park anywhere but in your own garage, park in a well-lit area.
• Don’t walk away from an unlocked vehicle.
• Hide valuables out of sight.
• Never leave your Subaru running unattended.
• Invest in an anti-theft device or system, including:
  • Alarms, flashing lights, steering-wheel locks
  • Systems that block efforts to hot-wire your vehicle, such as smart keys and electricity and fuel stops
  • Trackers, such as GPS, the “Find My”  or similar apps on your smart phone

Why do thieves seem to shun the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek? We aren’t 100% sure. We do know that they are very popular vehicles for Coloradans, and one of our Schomp Subaru client advisors would be happy to show you why – and perhaps give you some help to avoid theft of any of our Subarus.