Automotive designers have a tough job. We consumers typically want sexy cars with sleek shapes and seemingly impossible aerodynamics. Then we get in the car and complain about poor visibility.

Lexus designers have done a good, if not perfect job of blending that desirable shape with decent outward visibility. Aiding in the effort are large exterior rearview mirrors, and though the low roof line and high belt line combine to limit their height, the side windows extend far back toward the pillar for an improved view. Unfortunately, the sharp angle of the rear window limits its usefulness, a point accentuated by rear outboard headrests that fail to fully retract (though the center headrest does). Also, the B-pillars are a touch on the wide side and can thus hamper over-the-shoulder views when looking to merge left.