2009 Mercedes Benz S550 4Matic

When we named the Mercedes-Benz S-class a 2008 All-Star, I wrote that "pretty much everything about it is just right." This 2009 S550 4Matic only serves to cement that opinion. From its sumptuous interior that cradles both driver and passengers in comfort to its sedate but attractive (and unmistakenly Benz) exterior to driving dynamics that are at once luxurious yet athletic, this big Benz does it all. From behind the wheel, the S-class belies its size, feeling like a smaller car than it is. BMW's 7-series gives the big Benz a run for its money in the full-size luxury segment, but this S550, especially with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive option, is, as Mary Poppins would say, "practically perfect in every way." Amy Skogstrom, Managing Editor