League table of cantons: people in Zug drive the most expensive cars

A new study by AXA shows that the canton of Zug is home to Switzerland's most expensive cars. The average value of cars in the canton is more than 30% higher than the national figure. Schwyz and Appenzell Innerrhoden also rank highly, whereas the French-speaking cantons of Neuchâtel, Jura, and Fribourg have the cheapest cars.

According to statistics from AXA, Switzerland's largest motor vehicle insurer, the canton of Zug is home to the country's most expensive cars. The average value of cars in the canton is approximately CHF 63,000, more than a third higher than the national figure of CHF 47,000. The fact that people in Zug are fond of the latest, priciest models probably has something to do with their comparatively high level of wealth. At the same time, however, Zug has a larger proportion of company cars than other cantons, which also pushes the average up.

Cheapest cars found in Neuchâtel and Jura

Schwyz ranks second with an average value of almost CHF 57,000, closely followed by Appenzell Innerrhoden. Graubünden, Basel-Stadt, Zurich, Nidwalden, Basel-Land, Valais, Aargau, and Obwalden are all above average as well. The cheapest cars are to be found in the cantons of Neuchâtel, Jura, and Fribourg, where the average value is around CHF 42,000, more than CHF 20,000 below that in Zug.

The league table is based on the average price of cars insured in each canton, but the range of prices is broad in all cantons. “The spectrum of insured cars goes from those bought for CHF 10,000 to high-end rarities that can run into the millions,” says Jérôme Pahud, Head of Mobility Insurance at AXA.

Drivers in Schaffhausen, Bern, and Thurgau favor older models

Zug is also at the top of the table in terms of the age of its cars: 8.9 years on average, compared with 9.9 years across all cantons. People in Fribourg also seem to like a newer car, since their canton ranks second with an average age of 9.1 years. Ticino comes third with 9.2 years. The oldest cars on Switzerland’s roads are registered in Schaffhausen, Bern, and Thurgau, where the average age is 10.7 years – almost two years older than in Zug.

The analysis was conducted in 2022 and included all passenger cars insured with AXA (including company cars but excluding fleet contracts). The oldest vehicles insured with AXA are more than 100 years old. These are generally covered under our vintage motor vehicle insurance. The value of a car is based on the list price, including options.