The Quiet Achiever: How the Toyota Prius Became the Unlikely Getaway Vehicle of Choice for Land Cruiser Thieves.

Car theft in Japan remains a pervasive issue, as in many other countries worldwide, and the Toyota Land Cruiser continues to be a prime target. For the fifth consecutive year, this SUV tops the list of the “most stolen vehicles in Japan.” The increasing number of thefts of this Toyota SUV highlights its popularity among criminals.

However, the Land Cruiser is not the only Toyota model frequently targeted. The Prius, a renowned hybrid vehicle, is also climbing up to second place on the list of most stolen cars.

According to recent data from Japan’s National Police Agency, the top 10 most stolen vehicles in the first half of 2025 remain largely unchanged from previous years. Nine out of the ten cars are either Toyota or Lexus models, with the sole exception of the Suzuki Carry in the last position. This reinforces the preference of Japanese thieves for domestic brands, especially Toyota.

Top 10 most stolen vehicles in Japan during the first half of 2025.

With 289 units stolen so far this year, the Toyota Prius currently holds second place on the list. According to Creative Trend, criminals often use the Toyota Prius as a means to commit other car thefts. The super-quiet hybrid drivetrain of this vehicle enables thieves to sneak into residential areas at night without making any noise.

The ultra-quiet Toyota Prius becomes a tool for thieves to target the Land Cruiser.

While quiet operation is a common trait of hybrid and electric vehicles, the Toyota Prius stands out as the top choice. Its popularity in Japan, renowned reliability, and exclusive hybrid or plug-in hybrid offerings have made the Prius an ideal tool for theft operations. It’s not hard to imagine that many stolen Toyota Priuses have been used to access and steal more valuable targets, including the Land Cruiser.

The number of stolen Toyota Land Cruisers is on track to set a new record. With 765 cases in just the first six months, this figure could surpass 1,000 by the end of the year, an unprecedented level in Japan. The number of Land Cruiser thefts in 2024 and 2023 were 688 and 383, respectively.

Toyota Land Cruiser tops the list of most stolen vehicles in Japan in the first half of 2025.

The statistics include all variants of the Toyota Land Cruiser, such as the Land Cruiser 300 Series, Prado, and 70 Series. Among these, the Land Cruiser LC300 accounts for the majority of theft cases. The luxury version of the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Lexus LX, also ranks fifth on the list with 120 thefts this year.

The Toyota Alphard, a large minivan nicknamed the “airliner on land,” dropped to third place with 191 cases, a significant decrease from last year’s 303. In contrast, the Toyota Crown rose to sixth place with 107 cases, likely due to the expansion of the product line. The Toyota Crown now includes Crossover, Sedan, Estate, and Sport variants, making it a more diverse target for criminals.

To combat the rising wave of car thefts, Japanese authorities have advised citizens to combine alarm systems with anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks and GPS trackers. Another suggested solution is to cover vehicles with tarpaulins to obscure brand and model recognition, reducing the likelihood of being targeted.

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