Smooth creases in the sides of the trapezoidal grille thrust it forward, and the hood bulges in the center, suggesting power. The grille itself is rimmed in bright trim. Gleaming multi-lens headlamps wrap around each corner, forming exaggerated triangles. A thin bead of chrome segments the bumper at the top.

The cant of the windshield echoes the slant of the backlight (rear window). Curvaceous rear pillars blend seamlessly into rear flanks. The horizontal deck leads to a vertical back panel with oversized lamps at the corners, camouflaging the mass of the trunk.

Overall, the LS 430 presents a subtle profile, a conservative treatment where shoulders roll fluidly into side panels with only a hint of flare around the wheelwells.

Despite these quietly linear lines, the big Lexus is so streamlined that it earns a 0.25 coefficient of drag, making it one of the slipperiest shapes on the road. Its superb aerodynamics contribute to exceptionally low wind noise. And its slick exterior form is further enhanced by the remarkable fit of the body panels. Although Lexus has long been recognized for superior fit and finish, the quality achieved by the LS 430 reaches a new dimension. Engineers used a supercomputer to digitize all body surfaces, then worked out new fit tolerances ten times more precise than on the previous (pre-2001) car.