2010 BMW 7 Series

The BMW 7-Series is the athlete of the super luxury class. A car for those who love to drive, it offers the handling balance of a sport sedan in the body of a luxury cruiser.

The BMW 7-Series was redesigned just last year, but the new car appeared fairly late in the year, so even some BMW loyalists aren't very familiar with the new design. It carries into 2010 unchanged.

It's been a critical hit. With balanced lines, it's a graceful looking car -- something that not many said about the previous-generation 7-series. Its sleek exterior houses an interior filled with advanced electronics and comfortable expanses of leather.

But the best seat in any BMW is the driver's seat, and the 7 is no exception. Technological advances like driver-adjustable chassis tuning and four-wheel steering make this the most athletic 4,500-pound luxury car on the market. Choosing one super-luxury car over another is now primarily a matter of taste. The BMW exudes an air of performance that most of its rivals don't match, but they're all extraordinary cars.

But competition in the segment is heating up. A new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, built for the 2010 model year, adds safety features this car doesn't have. A new Jaguar XJ due out later in the year may even challenge it athletically - and from early reports, it appears to be the best-looking car of the group.

For 2010, the 7-Series is offered in two trim levels - the 750i and long-wheelbase 750Li. The two are mechanically identical rear-wheel-drive cars powered by a direct-injection, twin-turbocharged V8. All-wheel drive may be an option on future versions of the car, but is not yet offered. A hybrid version is reportedly in development, but may not reach showrooms until 2010. If that appeals to you, you may want to investigate the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hybrid and the Lexus LS hybrid, both of which are already in showrooms.