2012 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic

We all know that the Mercedes-Benz CL is a fabulous ride with stunning design and the ability to sprint to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds (and that's the "base" CL550). But what I got to enjoy about the CL this time around is its excellent all-weather capability. Even on all-season tires, the all-wheel-drive CL550 easily tackled Ann Arbor's first real snowstorm of the season. Y The heated steering wheel and seats and excellent defrosters made my snowy late-night drive home that much nicer. With winter tires on a CLS550, the only limiting factor in winter would be ground clearance.

In the world of big, luxurious GT cars, the  Mercedes-Benz  CL is perfect. The cabin is so incredibly well insulated from the outside world, the twin-turbo V-8 is ideally paired with a seven-speed automatic, and a seamless AWD system effortlessly puts that power to the ground in all weather conditions.

Few cars feel as solid as a big Mercedes does. It's incredible that, even as a hardtop without B-pillars, the car can feel so much like a cocoon of safety. There's a tactile reward when you touch any interior surfaces and everything looks elegant without being stuffy. The COMAND system isn't quite as modern and useful as Audi's latest MMI system, but Audi doesn't offer any a car that competes with the CL.

I cannot think of a better car for a two-up road trip than a CL. It certainly works well as a daily driver, but you're much better off heading away from the city and finding a good road where you can open this coupe up a bit and enjoy the speed and comfort it offers.

Actually Rusty, ground clearance isn't necessarily an issue either as the CL550s body can be raised and lowered at the touch of a button. I had the occasion to use this feature when parking spaces became scarce at an event I attended and a grassy incline bordering the driveway became my only option. I watched as people reversed their SUVs, crossovers, and more pedestrian sedans up the not-insignificant grade and wondered how the low-slung CL would fair. With power going to all four wheels, I knew traction wouldn't be an issue on the damp grass, but was worried that the fairly steep angle combined with the shallow ditch along the road could be enough to cause the CL to scrape the underside of its low-slung nose. I contemplated my situation for a moment and then noticed a button on the upper dash to the left of the infotainment display, picturing a vehicle in profile with an up arrow on it. I pushed it and the CL550's body raised up, allowing me to clear the cement with ease. The system can only be activated at low speeds but it's definitely handy and is the type of feature that most people won't know they need, until they need it.