German carmaker Volkswagen has won the top prize at The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards, with the sixth-generation Golf.

The new Golf, which went on sale in January this year, claimed top honours in the £16,000-£20,000 price category, as well as the prestigious title of Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2010. 

The winning model, the new Golf SE 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS impressed judges with its strong performances when towing in a variety of situations, practicality as a caravanning family car and its high quality cabin. 

The 28 cars tested in this year's competition were put through their paces at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. They were judged on their towing ability, acceleration, braking, ability to cope with demanding hill starts and an assessment of usability in terms of everyday caravanning.

Explaining the judges' decision to award the new Golf the top accolade, driving judge Barry Williams said faultless stability made the new Golf steadfast on the test track and when the punchy engine had whisked its way to 60 mph it was still ready to accelerate, even in sixth gear. 

The awards were presented at a ceremony in London, and the trophy was collected by Chris Craft, Director of Volkswagen UK.