If you’re looking for an all-around nice car, you’ll have a hard time beating the 2008 STS. Red Book had the opportunity to sample an all-wheel-drive version with Cadillac’s new direct-injected, 302-hp, 3.6-liter V6, and we were impressed with how unnoticeable it’s strong acceleration and power was delivered. The latest STS has a new grill and chrome fender vent dealies, and the interior was significantly redesigned and upgraded for a more upscale, user-friendly environment. This car was made for taking a long road trip. Just punch your destination into the navigation system, crank up the impressive Bose stereo, and let the miles melt away. Prices for a V6 STS start at $42,390, which isn’t terrible for a car that could make a good case for its “standard of the world” claim. When the current generation STS arrived last year, it was a good car with a few niggles here and there. This latest version addresses most all of those concerns, and should definitely be on every full-sized luxury car buyer’s short list.

It doesn’t seem like two years have passed since the Ford Fusion showed up on the scene, but it was November 2005 when Red Book first featured this Mazda-based, 2006 model sedan on the cover. There haven’t been many dramatic changes since then, but the styling and overall presence of this car still looks fresh and unique. Since it was introduced, all-wheel-drive was added to the options list last year, and the ’08 version can be ordered with a voice-activated navigation system. Ford’s new Microsoft-based Sync system will be an option later this year, which will allow people to easily operate many of their personal electronic communication and entertainment devices through the car. Engines still include a 160-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder, or a 221-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6. Prices start at $17,700 for a four-cylinder S model, and can go to more than $24,000 for an all-wheel-drive SEL V6.