Subaru Legacy
With a reputation for reliability and safety, all Subarus are recommended by Consumer Reports.

Redesigned for 2010, the Legacy sedan evolves beyond the brand’s understated design habits into in a larger midsize package. The longer wheelbase adds nearly four inches of additional rear seat legroom.

A revised 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine powers the base model Legacy, but a turbocharged version and a six-cylinder Boxer engine are available. Matched to the optional CVT, the 2.5-liter achieves an estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Every Legacy comes with Symmetrical AWD, an invaluable performance and safety enhancing system.

Additional standard safety features include Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), which combines stability and traction control capability, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist (BA) that applies full-force braking when needed for a sudden stop.

Creature comforts include remote keyless entry, air conditioning, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and an AM/FM stereo with a CD player.

Pricing for the 2010 Legacy starts at $19,995.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Hyundai ventured into new territory when it introduced the 2009 Genesis sport sedan. The adventure continues in 2010 with the two-door version, the Genesis Coupe.

A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powers the base model while a 3.8-liter V6 engine is available.

Both engines are mated to a six-speed manual transmission but both can also be matched to an optional automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter earns an estimated city/highway fuel economy of 21/30 mpg with the manual. Its low-slung hood and front fascia leave no doubt that the Coupe will cut through wind resistance as well as traffic.

On the inside, a cockpit design, analog gauges, and a large speedometer and tachometer enhance the sporty experience.

The rear-wheel-drive Coupe comes with safety features like side curtain air bags, active front head restraints, ABS, EBD, BA, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

Convenience features include Bluetooth, auxiliary input and USB jacks, air conditioning, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

Covered by Hyundai’s comprehensive warranty, 2010 Genesis Coupe has a base price of $22,750.

Nissan Maxima
Redesigned for 2009, the seventh-generation of the Nissan Maxima bears substantial changes, inside and out. Flaming headlamps distinguish the sedan’s new fascia while a sloping roofline and short rear accentuate its muscular roots.

A 3.5-liter V6 engine matched to a CVT with simulated manual shifting deliver the Maxima’s sporty performance. The Maxima achieves a city/highway fuel economy of 19/26 mpg.

Innovative available features include a dual panel moonroof or a heated steering wheel. Inside, a “Super Cockpit” includes an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with manual lumbar support and a four-way power adjustable passenger seat. An AM/FM audio system with a six-disc CD player, steering wheel-mounted controls, power door locks and windows, and dual zone air conditioning with automatic temperature control and rear vents are standard.

Standard safety features include ABS, side impact and curtain airbags, and VDC with a traction control system.

Lexus ES 350
In its fifth generation, the 2010 Lexus ES 350 debuts revised styling, new luxury amenities and the new telematics technology, Enform and Safety Connect.

Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces with 272 horsepower, the ES 350 achieves a city/highway fuel economy of 19/27 mpg.

Standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with a traction control system that integrates the ABS, EBD and BA.

The Lexus Supplemental Restraint System includes rear seat-mounted side air bags (previously optional, now standard), side-curtain airbags that extend from front to the rear and a knee airbag for both the driver and front passenger, for a total of 10 airbags throughout the cabin.

Standard leather-trimmed seating is available in three colors.

A one-touch tilt/slide power glass moonroof is standard, as well as a dual-zone automatic climate control system, 10-way power front seats (with standard driver memory) and a power tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Pricing for the 2010 ES 350 starts at $35,675.

Cadillac CTS
Redesigned last year, the Cadillac CTS continues to energize the brand. For 2010, a sport wagon joins the line-up.

Its distinctive angular design features sharper edges, while under the hood, a 3.6-liter V6 engine with variable valve timing for better fuel economy powers the sedan using regular grade gasoline. A more powerful V6 is available.

The CTS can come with a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. City/highway estimated fuel economy is 17/25 mpg. Cut and sewn by hand, the interior features French stitching throughout, including the upper instrument panel, door inserts, seats and the shifter boot, and satin metallic or genuine Sapele Pommele wood accents.

Equipped with a one-year subscription to OnStar, the onboard emergency and information system with turn-by-turn navigation, the CTS also includes remote keyless entry, ABS, StabiliTrak, traction control, a tire pressure monitor, and side curtain airbags.

Creature comforts include dual-zone air conditioning, three months of XM satellite radio, a six-disc CD changer, MP3, iPod, and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, and a sunroof.

Pricing for the 2010 Cadillac CTS starts at $36,730.

Kia Sorento
As a car rather than truck-based SUV, the crossover or CUV offers better a ride, handling, and fuel efficiency.

Banking on the appeal of crossovers, Kia has redesigned its compact SUV, the Sorento, converting it from an SUV to a CUV. With available seating for five or seven, the Sorento meets contemporary cargo and people carrying requirements.

A four-cylinder engine matched to a six-speed-manual transmission powers the base model and helps it achieve an EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy of 23/29 mpg. Kia, however, expects the next level model, or LX, to be the most popular. A higher price point brings access to features unavailable on the base model, e.g. a third row seat and back-up parking sensor.

All models do come with a healthy list of standard features including side curtain airbags, ABS, and electronic stability control.

Creature comforts include an AM/FM stereo with a CD player, MP3 and satellite radio compatibility, air conditioning, and steering wheel mounted radio controls.

Available in four trim levels, pricing for the 2011 Sorento should start below $19,000.

Toyota RAV4
Considered a crossover SUV innovator, the RAV4 first introduced in 1996, steps up its game in the segment by making more exclusive features, e.g. a backup camera, available on its base model.

A 2.5-liter four-cylinder powers the RAV4 while a V6 engine is available on the Base, Sport, and Limited models.

Paired with the four-speed automatic transmission, the RAV4 earns an estimated city/highway fuel economy of 22 /28 mpg on the two-wheel drive models and 21/27 mpg on models equipped with four-wheel drive.

The five-passenger SUV can accommodate seven with the optional third-row seat. Under-floor storage (on models without the third-row seat) is available and a generous 73-cubic foot cargo area with all rear seats folded down. The 60/40-split second row seat features reclining seatbacks and the seats slide fore and aft to maximize room for passengers or cargo.

Safety features include VSC, active headrests, roll-sensing side curtain air bags, traction control, ABS, EBD, and BA.

Air-conditioning, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, an AM/FM/CD stereo, MP3/WMA playback capability, remote keyless entry, and power windows and door locks are standard.

Pricing on the RAV4 starts at $21,500

Chevy Equinox
General Motors recently launched a redesigned version in the crossover segment, the 2010 Equinox.

With one of the most fuel-efficient engines, a new, 2.4-liter direct injection four-cylinder with 182 horses, the Equinox delivers a best-in-segment EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy of 22/32 mpg. The Equinox will also offer a new 3.0-liter direct injected V6 engine.

The 2.4-liter includes an “eco” mode that alters shift points to improve fuel economy, particularly in city driving, where stop-and-go traffic requires less power.

The Equinox includes unique features like a second row of seats that move forward and aft eight inches, as well as recline. With the 60/40-split-back rear seat moved all the way forward, the cargo area offers 31.4 cubic feet of storage.

Available in front wheel or AWD, the Equinox comes with remote keyless entry, side curtain airbags, ABS, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, and a one-year subscription to OnStar. The ultrasonic parking sensor is available for an additional $695.

Creature comforts include Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, an AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 capability and USB audio connectivity, air conditioning, and cruise control.

Available in four trim levels, pricing for the 2010 Equinox starts at $23,185.

Volvo XC60
Volvo entered the compact CUV market in 2009 with the all-new XC60.

What Volvo brings to the game is its unique look, inside and out, and groundbreaking technology, particularly the all-new City Safety.

Three other safety systems worth mentioning include the BLIS blind spot warning system, the Lane Departure Warning system, and the Collision Warning system.

But the newest feature, City Safety, actually stops the car, traveling two–nine miles per hour (mph), to avoid an impact. From nine–19 mph it will pre-charge the brakes to prepare for a collision.

Power and performance for all XC60s comes from a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder, a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, and Volvo’s All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction.

Inside and out, design will always distinguish a Volvo from other vehicles, and the XC60 is no exception. On the outside, it’s clearly a Volvo, and on the inside, Scandinavian utilitarianism, combined with quality materials and craftsmanship add sumptuousness.

Pricing for the 2010 XC60 starts at $38,025 and includes standard features like City Safety, leather seating with power driver’s seat, SIRIUS satellite radio, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and the unique Panorama moonroof.

Audi Q5
Combining elegant design with noticeable performance, the Q5 entered the segment last year. Built in Ingolstadt, Germany, the Q5 handles confidently and performs with power and agility, like a gazelle on steroids.

Powered by a fuel-injected 3.2-liter V6, it accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds and can tow a best-in-class capacity of 4,400 pounds. It achieves a city/highway estimated fuel economy of 18/23 mpg.

Audi’s strong reputation for outstanding automotive interiors carries through in the Q5 with standard twelve-way power front seats, leather seating surfaces throughout, and genuine wood or brushed aluminum inlays.

Equipped with Quattro AWD, the Q5 includes standard safety features like driver and passenger dual-stage and dual threshold air bags with occupant sensor, Sideguard head protection airbags, the Electronic Stabilization Program, and ABS.