Volkswagen’s Golf has been named as the safest car of 2009 by Euro NCAP.

The hatchback, which was awarded the maximum five stars, recorded the most points of the 33 cars tested by the safety organisation during the year.

Hybrids Honda Insight and Toyota Prius were second and third respectively, with the Hyundai i20 in fourth.
Three cars were named joint fifth – the Toyota Avensis, Volvo XC60 and the Vauxhall Astra.

EuroNCAP’s poorest results of the year were achieved by the Suzuki Alto and the Toyota Urban Cruiser, which both received three stars.