The Volkswagen Golf Named Best Compact Family Car and Best Hot Hatch (2009)

Volkswagen has been honoured by a pair of wins at the prestigious Auto Express New Car Awards.

The event, recognising the best new cars on sale in the UK, saw the Volkswagen Golf scoop the fiercely contested 'Best Compact Family Car' honour.

The award was accompanied by praise for the Volkswagen Golf's abilities from the Auto Express road testers who commented: "With a cabin to rival the best compact executive models the new Golf moves the game on when it comes to interior quality in the family car sector. Sharp handling, impressive refinement and excellent comfort make the latest Golf the best yet in terms of dynamics. It simply does everything that's required to the highest standards."

The second win for Volkswagen came in the highly competitive 'Best Hot Hatch' category which was won by the new Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Launched in May 2009, 32 years after the first examples arrived in the UK, the sixth generation Volkswagen Golf GTI continues to evolve with sharper responses, greater power and refinement to mark out the Mk VI as the most advanced vehicle to wear the GTI badge yet.

Commenting on the award, the Auto Express road test team stated: "Whether you are embarking on a long motorway drive, a city commute or rural sprint the GTI makes the perfect companion. All of this combines to make the latest Golf GTI one of the most desirable real world cars on the planet - and a worthy winner of our hot hatch prize."

Chris Craft, Director of Volkswagen UK, said: "It's a tremendous achievement to win a pair of awards in such hard fought categories. The new Golf has proved to be a hit with UK buyers and continues to defy extremely challenging market conditions to post strong sales."