[Caged Great]

I am in the market to purchase a vehicle and I am looking to CP for some advice to narrow the search to a couple options.

What I am looking for is ideally in the 2004-2008 age range, maybe slightly newer, no later than 2010 though. I would also ideally like to get something that's more of a luxury brand. Audi, Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo or something like that (not a Lincoln). I figure that the cost will not be much different for a vehicle of that vintage, so getting something more upscale should not hit the pocket book too hard.

I am looking for a 4 door sedan, where you or your passenger doesn't feel like you're sitting on the dash board like with a Lincoln. I also need a car that can get up a relatively steep hill. I live at the bottom of a rather annoying hill and the only way out is up, so something that can traverse that is mandatory. Safety is my #1 concern. Pretty much everything else is up in the air.

Any pointers?