For the first time, Euro NCAP can now release its top five safest cars of 2009, based on their maximum five star award and their overall score. Top of this list is the Volkswagen Golf VI that was first tested in 2008 under the former rating scheme and was re-released in 2009.

The Honda Insight Hybrid and Toyota Prius, two fuel-efficient vehicles tested in 2009, were second and third respectively in Euro NCAP’s list of safest, crash-tested cars. In fourth place is the Hyundai i20. There are three joint winners for fifth place – the Toyota Avensis, Volvo XC60 and the Opel/Vauxhall Astra. Euro NCAP’s poorest results of the year were achieved by the Suzuki Alto and the Toyota Urban Cruiser, which both received three stars.

1. VW Golf VI
2. Honda Insight
3. Toyota Prius
4. Hyundai i20
5. Toyota Avensis
6. Volvo XC60
7. Opel/Vauxhall Astra

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Add new tag · Auto · Honda Insight · Suzuki Alto · Toyota · Toyota Avensis · Toyota Prius · Toyota Urban Cruiser · Volkswagen Golf

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) just released its 2010 Top Safety picks and Toyota fails to make the grade. Not a single model from the world’s largest auto manufacturer,as determined by sales, or its subsidiaries, made the list. In 2009, Toyota, Lexus and Scion had 11 winners, but failed to come up with one in 2010.

The Volvo XC60 earned Top Safety Pick honors, but the IIHS identified a glitch with the vehicle, which Volvo has addressed and will be corrected in all models manufactured after November 2009. In the side crash test, the seat belt became unfastened when a piece of plastic trim on the driver’s seat pushed against the seat belt’s release button. The IIHS advises consumers who already own a Volvo XC60 to see their Volvo dealer for repairs. The Top Safety Pick only applies to modified XC60 models.

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Crash test · Insurance Institute for Highway Safety · Lexus · Recreation · Scion · Seat belt · Toyota · Volvo XC60