BMW, Mercedes, and Jaguar (among others) are all struggling right now to find a new design direction. The most recent push to really change things, Chris Bangle's tenure at BMW, didn't really lead to a decisive new direction. A lot of people WANT boring shit.
Oh sorry the design aesthetic of the S is fine. Though when i see one I can't work out which of the large saloon car it is.
I mean the cheap plasticy build quality, mainly the interior. It doesn't look nor feel like a luxury car inside.
That's every American car