– San Francisco, California

While it’s true that buying tastes have shifted from sedans to SUVs, Lexus believes the time is right for the all-new LS to make a splash in the U.S. luxury-sedan market – in part because customers have waited so long for this car that they might have bought its rivals instead.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a new LS,” admits Brian Bolain, general manager for Lexus marketing. “We do expect to attract some people from other brands who may have drifted away while they were waiting for a new LS.”

When those customers come back to a Lexus showroom, they’ll find an LS that’s considerably prettier than the one before it. Designers attempted to produce a more coupe-like silhouette than the last three-box LS, making the rear window angle shallower and introducing a “sixth window” in the C-pillar. (That tiny window even gets teensy power sun shades on models so equipped.) It’s a more modern, graceful look for the LS that is prettier and less austere than the one before it.

The grille, by the way, consists of an incredible 5,000 surfaces, which Lexus says a designer spent six months crafting in CAD software.

Front and rear lighting elements employ L-shaped graphics, for Lexus; don’t call it a Nike swoosh. The nose has perhaps the second-best integration yet of the company’s big spindle grille, after the LC coupe. The grille, by the way, consists of an incredible 5,000 surfaces, which Lexus says a designer spent six months crafting in CAD softwa...