The European New Car Assessment Programme revealed the top five safest cars of 2009 which managed to get five-star rating, and at the top of the list there’s the Golf VI, which achieved the highest score among the group. NCAP guys wrecked seven cars during the tests and awarded them with stars for Adult protection, Child protection, Pedestrian protection, Safety assist.

Hit the jump to know about the safest cars of 2009 and see their scores…

First Place: Golf VI

Adult protection: 97 per cent
Child protection: 84 per cent
Pedestrian protection: 61 per cent
Safety assist: 71 per cent
Star rating: 5/5

Second Place: Honda Insight

Adult protection: 90 per cent
Child protection: 74 per cent
Pedestrian protection: 76 per cent
Safety assist: 86 per cent
Star rating: 5/5

Third Place: Toyota Prius

Adult protection: 88 per cent
Child protection: 82 per cent
Pedestrian protection: 68 per cent
Safety assist: 86 per cent
Star rating: 5/5

Fourth Place: Hyundai i20

Adult protection: 88 per cent
Child protection: 83 per cent
Pedestrian protection: 64 per cent
Safety assist: 86 per cent
Star rating: 5/5

Joint Fifth: Toyota Avensis

Adult protection: 90 per cent
Child protection: 86 per cent
Pedestrian protection: 53 per cent
Safety assist: 86 per cent
Star rating: 5/5

Joint Fifth: Volvo XC60

Adult protection: 94 per cent
Child protection: 79 per cent
Pedestrian protection: 48 per cent
Safety assist: 86 per cent
Star rating: 5/5

Joint Fifth: Vauxhall Astra

Adult protection: 95 per cent
Child protection: 84 per cent
Pedestrian protection: 46 per cent
Safety assist: 71 per cent
Star rating: 5/5

How does this rating system work?

Adult protection – points are awarded for front, side and pole impact crash tests.
Child protection – different-sized dummies are used to emulate 18-month-old and three-year-old children. Cars are also awarded for child seat instructions.
Pedestrian protection – how well the car protects pedestrians on impact.
Safety assist – how effective the car can avoid accidents with driver assists such as stability control, speed limitation and seat belt reminders.