This family SUV, a favorite among the French, ranks among the most stolen cars in France. This model also appeals to criminal networks abroad, who quickly resell it. Why is this Peugeot vehicle so attractive to thieves?
French families are snapping it up—and so are thieves. A few weeks ago, the insurance groups France Assureurs and GIE Argos released their list of the most stolen cars in 2025. Among the ten vehicles that disappear most frequently is the French people’s favorite family car.
Specifically, it is the Peugeot 5008 II, produced between 2017 and 2024. “The undisputed leader among family crossovers,” according to the automotive magazine L’Argus, the Peugeot 5008 ranks seventh on the list of the most frequently stolen cars.
Why this car specifically? Not because it’s popular in France, but because it’s in demand abroad. “What determines whether a vehicle will be heavily targeted by thieves is strong demand for that model in foreign countries where international criminal networks resell it,” explains Benoît Leclair, CEO of GIE Argos, during the presentation of the rankings. Proof of this: the RAV4, the most frequently stolen vehicle in France, isn’t even among the country’s 50 best-selling cars.
The Peugeot 5008 is also targeted because it is highly vulnerable to relay attacks, according to a simulator based on data from ADAC, Europe’s leading drivers’ club, which produces numerous automotive studies. “A thief amplifies the signals between the car and the key through the walls of your home. They unlock and start your 5008 in less than thirty seconds, without breaking in or setting off an alarm,” the simulator explains.
These stealthy attacks, straight out of a spy movie, have become the norm today. In France, 70% of vehicles are stolen without any visible signs of forced entry. A phenomenon that has grown significantly over the past fifteen years: “In 2010, forced entry was observed in more than 80% of thefts,” notes France Assureurs.
To prevent car theft, the Stellantis group advises its customers to be particularly vigilant when getting out of their cars. In the owner’s manual for the 3008 and 5008, Stellantis notes that if the electronic key is near the car and the vehicle is unlocked, bold thieves could jump into the car to steal it.
