The Fleet News award joins a growing number of accolades achieved by the Golf since its launch earlier this year, and echoes the opinions of What Car? magazine which also named the Golf as their 'Best Small Family Car'.

Commenting on the Golf's success, the judging panel said, "The latest evolution of the Golf has picked up where the previous model left off. With an impressive range of economical and refined engines, superb build quality and strong residuals, the Golf offers fantastic value for money and has set the benchmark for the sector once again."

Available with highly efficient and advanced direct-injection petrol and common rail diesel engines, standard equipment on the Golf range includes air conditioning, a CD stereo system and body-coloured exterior trim. The Golf also features class-leading levels of safety with ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) and seven airbags, including for the first time a knee airbag, all standard.