Industry Report: New Lexus GS and Infiniti M Go Head to Head in Midsize Luxury Shootout

But the real story behind both sedans isn't the refined power available under their hoods, but rather just how much more

The GS sports Lexus' new L-Finesse design language, a solid step forward in matching eye-catching design with the brand's usual stellar engineering. (Photo: Lexus)

competitive each is to their main rivals, the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The two Germans gobble up the majority of midsize luxury sales, something the two Japanese brands want to change. Do they have a fighting chance?

Just one look at either will be all that is necessary to see that the tables are about to turn for Lexus and Infiniti in the midsize segment. The former sports its new L-Finesse design language, not as daring as the LF-S concept car that debuted at last year's Tokyo auto show but just the same a solid step forward

Infiniti's M is also revolutionary, leaving behind the conservative, overweight M45 design. (Photo: Infiniti Canada)

in matching eye-catching design with the Lexus brand's stellar engineering.

Infiniti's M is also revolutionary, leaving behind the conservative, overweight M45 for a much more athletic, spirited sport sedan based on agile G35 chassis architecture. The M's interior is also shifts the brand upmarket in a major way, thoroughly inviting while now offering much higher quality materials.

Lexus has never suffered from tactile quality problems, yet the new GS ups the ante even further by improving interior design and execution.