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The CX-7 was an eye-popping package when it arrived on the scene and people generally gushed over it. The windshield was raked at a wind-cheating 66 degrees and its bulging front fenders made for a powerful presence. Equipped with optional four-wheel-drive, the CX-7 could also handle difficult terrain and road conditions with ease. The interior provided plenty of up-front comfort with supportive seats and nicely trimmed fittings. The 2.3 turbo engine offered plenty of performance, but the 2.5 that was the base engine in 2010-’12 models is a good pick if fuel bills are a concern.

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The Fusion was slotted between the compact Focus and larger Five Hundred/Taurus in Ford’s passenger-car stable. The Fusion actually shared the Mazda6 platform (Ford once owned a piece of Mazda), with the distance between the front and rear wheels extended by about two inches. The Fusion initially featured a 160-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder and an optional 221-horsepower V6, the latter available with all-wheel-drive from 2007 onward.

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Honda has been selling the mid-size Accord since 1976, with style, content and power upgrades occurring about every five years. The seventh-generation sedans and coupes appeared for the 2008 model year and were roomier and quicker than their predecessors. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produced 177-190 horsepower, while high-line Accords came with the 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6.

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The Elantra Touring’s good looks and a sporty driving profile contrasted with its practical nature. You could cram more stuff in back with the rear seat folded than in most every other wagon in its class (think scaled-down Volvo XC70 wagon). The Touring’s steering and suspension had also been tweaked for more sporting flair. Stiffer springs, larger front and rear stabilizer bars and lower-profile tires than the sedan’s were also installed.

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Acura introduced the RDX in mid-2006 to compete with other premium all-wheel-drive compact wagons including the BMW X3, Nissan Murano, Land Rover LR2 and Lexus RX350. The five-passenger RDX was equipped with a turbocharged 240-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that was unique in the Honda/Acura line. A five-speed automatic transmission was standard. A front-wheel-drive model plus front and rear styling updates were introduced for 2010, the latter making the RDX resemble its bigger MDX relation.

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The CTS proved to be a real shot-in-the-arm for Cadillac and was the GM division’s best seller. The look was much bolder than that of the first-gen car and provided increased passenger and trunk room. The various V6 engines ran smoothly and provided plenty of thrust for day-to-day use. All-wheel-drive availability appealed to many buyers and allowed the CTS to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.

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The Forte’s striking looks were a significant improvement over the Spectra’s. All versions featured roomy interiors with attractive dashboards and generous stowage space, even the Koup. Base sedans were just that as far as standard content was concerned, while the Koup and hatchback started with more. Of the two powerplant choices, the 2.4 obviously delivered more grunt than the 2.0, but with only a minimal fuel-economy penalty.

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The British Range Rover was launched in1970 as go-anywhere wagon powered by a Buick-designed V8. It was introduced to North America for 1987, priced at about $35,000, and gained status as the ride of choice for Hollywood stars. The Range Rover was stretched by eight inches for 2003 and was significantly updated for 2007 with two engine choices: a 305-horsepower 4.4-liter V8; and an optional 400-horsepower supercharged 4.2-liter V8.

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The LS series was one of the first offerings from Lexus, the premium division launched by Toyota in 1990. This full-size flagship sedan provided competition for, and an alternative to, top rides from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Jaguar, plus domestic mainstays Lincoln and Cadillac. Following updates in 1995 and 2001, the LS 460 and extended-length LS 460 L took over top spot in the Lexus fleet for 2007. Both came with 380-horsepower 4.6-liter V8s connected to eight-speed automatic transmissions.

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A six-inch stretch between the front and rear wheels over the ML allowed the GL three rows of seats instead of two. Mercedes-Benz’s designers literally went to great lengths to create sufficient head and leg room for two full-sized passengers perched on the 50/50 split- and power-folding rear bench. Cargo capacity was also generous, especially when both second- and third-row seats were folded flat.

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