Golf tops latest Euro NCAP ratings

Volkswagen's latest Golf has been awarded a maximum five-star rating under Euro NCAP's tough new grading system.

Euro NCAP crash tests now take into account a wider range of criteria, including a new whiplash test, and the maximum five-star rating is available only to cars that have stability control as standard.

Each vehicle is awarded an overall star rating out of five, based on its scores for adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist equipment.

The latest Golf currently has the highest score (97%) for adult occupant protection and has been rated a maximum five stars overall.

Each new Golf has twin front, side and curtain airbags, plus one underneath the steering column to protect the driver's knees. Stability control is fitted across the range, while VW says that its 'whiplash-optimised head restraints' do a better job than some rivals' active front-seat head restraints.