It’s a car dealer’s dream. After a shaky couple of years, executives are pulling out their check books once again and dusting off car plans previously put on hold by fears of recession and political instability.

Now is the best time to shop for a car. Apart from new car plans and aggressive financing schemes, the choice of cars has never been this good. So, let me spare you the time shuttling between dealerships and give you a short list of the most promising executive sedan models hitting showrooms in 2010.

By their nature, executive sedans are conservative. After all, these are mostly company cars. Sports coupes are more exciting, but try telling that to the Board of Directors or the company union. Executive sedans are meant to represent your rising status in the organization and your personal style—and not meant to rub it in the faces of those above and beneath you. Indeed, your choice is a sensitive balance act between power and approachability; audacity and practicality—very much how a top executive is expected to lead.

Top Choices

BMW is a good place to start your search. Its cars turn heads and symbolize success, but never overdo it like a Jaguar can. A BMW also projects youthful passion and a healthy dose of rebelliousness. Not bad for those working in extremely competitive industries. More important, BMW make great cars and the newest generation BMW 5-series is a step up from its predecessor in terms of fuel efficiency, handling and, where it often matters most—style. The sedan looks aggressive and elegant at the same time, pretty much what most owners want to project.

Mercedes-Benz was once the default executive car but conservative styling in the past decades made it miss out on a new generation of corporate bosses looking for something more exciting. In effect, owning a Benz made you feel rich, but old, too. The new C, E and S-Class models have changed this image with aggressive styling and solid performance and the 2010 release of the MB-SLS gull-wing supercar, though not an executive car by any stretch of the imagination, should reconnect younger drivers with the brand and make it aspirational once again.

Audi is another German brand that suffered from a boring image. But the company that gave the world Quattro all-wheel drive, TDI engine technology and the aluminum space frame has been on a roll this decade with a model range that finally looks sexy and feels sporty. The new top of the line Audi A8 sedan is one car to save up for. That the Audi’s exclusive aluminum space frame makes it a lot lighter, stiffer, sportier and therefore also more efficient than any of its rivals is often less important to buyers who want to show off just how ahead of the curve they are when it comes to cars.

Secret Desires

All executives secretly desire a Porsche, and those that own one reserve it for the weekend. When a company cuts costs, being seen in a 911 sports coupe is the last thing you need. Luckily for fans, the new Porsche Cayenne SUV models are more practical (i.e. justifiable to the Board), and the new V6 variant is a lot more affordable. The V6 Cayenne is lighter and is 20 percent more fuel efficient than previous models, even if it’s actually bigger. It also looks much better than the older Cayenne with a more elegant silhouette and dynamic front end. And with improved four-wheel drive technology and traction management, you’ll never call in late for meetings even when the metropolis is drenched.

Also to watch out for soon is the new Volvo S60. It hasn’t been released yet, but having seen it in international motor shows, expect Volvo’s best-selling sedan to create a stir with class-leading safety and uncharacteristic sexy styling.

And, last, but not the least, it’s worth taking a second look at Lexus. And not just for their elegant showroom. The restyled Lexus ES looks less like a Camry now and every bit the sleek, overachieving executive car it’s known to be.

For more of David's top picks, visit executive-class.blogspot.com. You can also catch more of his picks on ANC, Saturdays at 10 p.m. and Sundays at 8 p.m.