The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates that auto theft cost insurance companies more than $500 million in 2007 - or about $35 on each car insurance policy in the country.

More than 146,000 vehicles were stolen in 2007. That represents a drop of 7.9 per cent from the year before.

Each year, the bureau releases lists of most-stolen and least-stolen vehicles. The bureau says auto thieves aren't just going after luxury cars. They'll snatch older cars — often to commit other crimes — because they lack anti-theft systems and are easy to grab.

Luxury vehicles are generally targeted by organized criminals for export.

Here are lists of the most — and least — stolen vehicles in Canada:

Top 10 stolen vehicles
1. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door.
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door.
3. 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX/WRX STi 4-door AWD.
4. 1995 Dodge/Plymouth Grand Caravan/Voyager.
5. 1995 Dodge/Plymouth Caravan/Voyager.
6. 2002 Acura RSX Type S 2-door.
7. 2001 Audi TT Quattro Roadster.
8. 1995 Acura Integra 2-door.
9. 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 2-door.
10. 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 4-door

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada
10 least stolen vehicles
1. (tie 1st) 2003 Cadillac Deville 4-door.
2. (tie 1st) 2002 Lincoln Continental 4-door.
3. (tie 1st) 2001 Lincoln Town Car 4-door.
4. 2007 Chevrolet Impala 4-door.
5. (tie 3rd) 2001 Toyota Avalon 4-door.
6. (tie 3rd) 1999 Toyota Tacoma 2WD.
7. (tie 4th) 2005 Buick Terraza EXT.
8. (tie 4th) 2003 Buick Regal 4-door.
9. (tie 4th) 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-door 2WD.
10. (tie 4th) 2000 Ford/Mercury Taurus/Sable Wagon.
Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada

Crash test results

The American-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests vehicles for how well they perform in A side-impact crash test on a 2009 Acura TL. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/Associated Press)A side-impact crash test on a 2009 Acura TL. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/Associated Press) crashes. The institute defines "crashworthiness" as how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash.

It rates vehicles as good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests. It also takes into account how seat and head restrains protect against neck injuries when a vehicle is hit from behind.

In order to earn a "Top Safety Pick" award, a vehicle must earn good ratings in all three tests and offer electronic stability control, a crash-avoidance system that's designed to help you avoid losing control of your vehicle.

Here are the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's top safety choices in several categories:

Midsize cars

  • Acura TL, TSX.
  • Audi 3, 4.
  • BMW 3 series, 4-door models.

Large car

  • Acura RL.

Minivans

  • Honda Odyssey.
  • Hyundai Entourage.

Luxury SUVs

  • Audi Q7.
  • Buick Enclave.

Midsize SUVs

  • Acura MDX, RDX.
  • BMW X3, X5
  • Ford Edge.

Small SUVs

  • Ford Escape.
  • Honda CR-V.
Source: U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safet

Most fuel-efficient vehicles

Vehicle manufacturers submit fuel consumption ratings for their cars and trucks to Transport Canada. The Toyota Prius Hybrid consistently rates among the most fuel-efficient cars in North America. (J.D. Power and Associates/Associated Press)The Toyota Prius Hybrid consistently rates among the most fuel-efficient cars in North America. (J.D. Power and Associates/Associated Press) Each manufacturer must certify that their tests and calculations are carried out according to approved Transport Canada methods.

Tests involve running the vehicle through simulated city and highway conditions in a laboratory.

There's little chance that you will be able to duplicate the fuel consumption ratings you see on the sticker when you buy a new car. There are a number of reasons for this including weather, traffic and road conditions, and whether you are hard on the brakes as well as the gas pedal. You also don't drive your car in a laboratory.

Here are the top 10 fuel-efficient cars in Canada for the 2008 model year:

Toyota Prius City 4.0 L/100 km (71 mpg) Hwy 4.2 L/100 km (67 mpg)
Honda Civic Hybrid City 4.7 L/100 km (60 mpg) Hwy 4.3 L/100 km (66 mpg)
Smart fortwo (convertible) City 5.9 L/100 km (48 mpg) Hwy 4.8 L/100 km (59 mpg)
Smart fortwo (coupe) City 5.9 L/100 km (48 mpg) Hwy 4.8 L/100 km (59 mpg)
Toyota Camry Hybrid City 5.7 L/100 km (50 mpg) Hwy 5.7 L/100 km (50 mpg)
Nissan Altima Hybrid City 5.6 L/100 km (51 mpg) Hwy 5.9 L/100 km (48 mpg)
Ford Escape Hybrid City 5.7 L/100 km (50 mpg) Hwy 6.7 L/100 km (42 mpg)
Mini Cooper City 7.1 L/100 km (40 mpg) Hwy 5.3 L/100 km (53 mpg)
Mini Cooper Clubman City 7.1 L/100 km (40 mpg) Hwy 5.3 L/100 km (53 mpg)
Toyota Corolla City 7.1 L/100 km (40 mpg) Hwy 5.3 L/100 km (53 mpg)
Source: Natural Resources Canada