Escalade EXT tops list of most likely stolen luxury cars

Despite their low numbers and high-tech security features, luxury vehicles still rank highly in a list of America’s most likely stolen autos with the recently updated Cadillac Escalade scoring worst among the luxury makes. The results come from the US Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), which tracks per-vehicle thefts and ranks them according to "the relative average loss payments for theft per insured vehicle year filed under comprehensive coverages."

A vehicle that scores below 100 in the HLDI tests experiences only average theft losses, while anything above 100 is deemed higher than average. The HLDI found six of the seven most stolen luxury cars scoring between 209 and 431. Cadillac’s $55,000 Escalade EXT pickup came out with a whopping theft loss score of 1,728, topping the list for the fourth time in a row. "The overall results show the Escalade has not only the highest rate of claims but also very expensive claims when they are filed," said HLDI senior vice president Kim Hazelbaker.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a vehicle is stolen in the US every 25.5 seconds and costs consumers more than $8.6 billion annually.

Follow the jump to see a list of the seven worst offending luxury vehicles with their respective theft loss scores and price tags compiled by ForbesAutos.

1) Cadillac Escalade EXT: Theft loss rate - 1,728 ($55,045)

2) BMW 7-Series: Theft loss rate - 431 ($78,900)

3) (equal third) Land Rover Range Rover SUV: Theft loss rate - 351 ($77,250)

3) (equal third) Lincoln Navigator: Theft loss rate - 351 ($46,575)

4) Lexus GS Sedan: Theft loss rate - 243 ($44,150)

5) Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Theft loss rate - 227 ($86,535)

6) Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: Theft loss rate - 209 ($95,575)