Teyon put it straight forward, best way is to check the Demo and the Artist Sites around for Features on each product.
There is no answer to your first question that will answer it properly, as most software has the basics, and then each one has its own way of modeling, and some extras. C4D, LW, Maya, 3DS are modelers, while Vue is NOT a modeler, more of a Render Program. Dont get me wrong, U can model in it, just not like the other software.
Dont know about Q2.
But as the forum heading states, no one person can tell you which one is better. U just have to try each one and see how U like it. Just to try it doesnt mean U will learn the whole program. Once U get into the program it usually takes a few tries to see how comfortable you are with it. And as many others stated, if you comfortable with one program and like it, stay with it.

There reall is not right/wrong answer here, honestly. I was lookin for something like this months ago, and just stopped lookin and started tryin. Now found my fav, while many others may or may not like it, its something that I LIKE, and thats what matters.

Cornelp. Hope this helps U in some way...