Aston Martin DBX review
Its looks may divide opinion, but the DBX does all the things you’d want a luxury SUV to do, with added Aston Martin magic.
The Aston Martin DBX delivers all the practicality and refinement you’d expect from a luxury SUV, with a driver-focused approach that sets it apart from its closest rivals. The British sports car manufacturer has gone with what it knows best - applying its technical wizardry to produce the finest-handling SUV available.
Yes, the DBX is well over two tonnes and will seat five in comfort, but it remains an incredibly deft machine and will certainly put a smile on your face as you effortlessly change direction and power through the tightest of bends. It’s less brash than a Lambo, not as bold as a Bentley and not as commonplace as a Porsche. They’re all super-quick, but all ultimately out-handled by the Aston Martin.
About the Aston Martin DBX
Car makers known worldwide for their high-performance sports and GT cars have increasingly turned to producing luxury SUVs in order to boost sales and help with their company finances. Aston Martin has designed and manufactured some of the most stunning sports cars in the world, and has now focused its renowned engineering ability on delivering a 4x4 to beat the best in the class.
Porsche created the performance crossover blueprint with the Cayenne and found it to be hugely profitable. It paved the way for similar luxurious 4x4s in the shape of the Bentley Bentayga and Maserati Levante, while even Lamborghini has jumped on the bandwagon with the outlandish Urus.
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While these rivals make up the more salubrious end of the performance SUV market, there are also other brutish competitors such as the Range Rover Sport SVR and the BMW X5 Competition lower down the price range.
The DBX pitches in at almost £160,000 and, while its looks may divide opinion, what you get for your money is a stylish five-door SUV with 542bhp and a sizable 700Nm of torque. But, it’s not just the Mercedes-AMG 4.0-litre petrol V8 powerplant that delivers the driving enjoyment - Aston Martin DNA flows through the veins of the DBX, and the tech hidden under the skin ensures it’s every bit as capable as most modern sports cars.
Power is delivered via a nine-speed automatic gearbox which allows the DBX to dispatch the 0-60mph sprint time in 4.3 seconds, before firing on to reach a top speed of 181mph - not bad for a 2.2 tonne family SUV.
The DBX needs to sell in volume and the model is vitally important to the continued success of the manufacturer. Although the list price is rather steep, it delivers a great package with genuine 4x4 credentials, family practicality and little sacrifice of the power and handling expected from a true British-built Aston Martin.
