By: Rita Cook

Nissan Maxima

You can feel the road with this one and that makes me smile. The Nissan has all the bells and whistles of many cars higher priced, but it’s still considered an entry-level luxury sedan. This one is all about value, yet it still feels like a much higher priced car. (Can you say Mercedes without the price tag?) The steering is great with a strong power train. And for those cold days, there are seat warmers (driver and passenger) and a heated steering wheel too.

It’s been completed retooled for 2009, so don’t expect anything like you remember from the past. Did I say luxury sedan? Oh yeah, I did. So when this baby is fully loaded, you will be too. You get a 3.5-liter V6 engine on this one with 290 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. The front wheels get the power through what’s called a CVT, which actually can be overridden by six artificial gear ratios that the driver can make a choice whether or not to use.

The Maxima comes equpped with anti-lock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front and rear outboard active head restraints. Another of my favorites, the rearview camera, is an option, not standard equipment.

Cost: From $30,160 to $37,000.

Miles per gallon: 19 city driving and 26 mpg highway.

Mercedes CL550C4

It’s a crowd pleaser you can be sure. You get stares when driving this Mercedes, because you know it just looks so good. Features that please, include the ergonomics, dynamic seats, sound system, power (did I say you can beat the competition?) in just about every category. One thing you have to like, is when you’re sitting inside this Mercedes, you know you’re sitting in the lap of luxury. Even the seats contour to your moves and there’s a massage feature for both driver and passenger!

I took the 5.5-liter, V8 engine for the week and didn’t want to give it back. With 382 horsepower, this CL550C4 takes you from 0 to 60 in just four short seconds, with a top speed of 130 miles per hour. There’s power-assisted, speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering and expect safety with a Tele Aid emergency calling and communication system. All the necessary airbags are everywhere and an electronic stability program. They’ve thought of it all. Some people say they “live” in their cars. This one just might be a good second home!

Cost: From $103,000 to $120,000 for this type of CL550 and worth it!

Miles per gallon: 14 city driving and 21 mpg highway.

Dodge Ram

“Built Ram Tough.” That’s a big 10/4 here when I drove the Ram 1500 Crew Cab SLT 4 X 2 and that’s a mouthful too. With a 4.7-liter V8 engine, a 26-gallon gas tank was another plus (you can also opt for 5.7-liter). It drives smooth and, for us girls, well we like that. As well, you can expect functional interior design and spacious rear seats for extra passengers. In fact, the Dodge Ram is so big you might forget those passengers are even back there.

If this truck were a boy, it would be “cocky” and if a girl, just plain “sexy.” When you’re driving it you’re gonna get looks too. Just smile ‘cause you know you got the meanest car on the road. One more thing, the four-wheel-drive option, get it, it’s worth it. That one gives you the 5.7-liter engine and 390 horsepower with 407 pound-feet of torque. That’s a lot of workhorse. It’s also been clocked in to go from 0 to 60 in a little under eight seconds, which means you can have that quick getaway, if you must.

Cost: Starting at $21,270, the one I drove was $36,045.

Miles per gallon: 14 city driving and 19 mpg highway.

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