Aston Martin DBX review - Practicality, comfort and boot space
With good off-road capability, a large, practical boot and decent levels of comfort, the Aston Martin DBX is a proper 4x4.
Switch the Aston Martin DBX’s drive mode to Terrain+, and you’ll be able to go further than most owners will ever want to. It has decent approach and departure angles of 22.2 and 24.3 degrees, respectively, and a breakover angle of 15.1 degrees – with the suspension raised by 45mm. If you really wanted to, you can also wade at a depth of up to 500mm.
In terms of ride comfort, the DBX sits somewhere between the grand touring DB11 and the focused Vantage; it is never uncomfortable, but always alert. Is it as smooth as a Bentley? No. Is it as firm as a Urus? No. In truth, it’s a rather unique blend of the two – it never dismisses bumps, instead constantly reminding you of the quality of the road surface.
Visibility is good forwards and backwards, with a suite of cameras there to help out when you’re parking up. It also does the day-to-day things you need your SUV to do well. Access is easy, with the car dropping 50mm on its air suspension. Open the frameless door – which covers the door sill to keep your legs clean when getting in and out – and there’s a flat floor with no sill to climb over.
Size
At 5,039mm, the DBX is only 101mm shorter than a Bentley Bentayga, yet it handles more like a fast estate car than an SUV. The overall width (including mirrors) is 2,220mm, almost identical to the Bentayga.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
The DBX is a full five-seat SUV, although long journeys with three adult passengers in the rear may prove a little tiresome. There’s plenty of space upfront, and headroom is fine, despite the DBX having a lower roofline than most rivals.
Boot
Boot space in the DBX is a practical 638 litres. In comparison, the Bentayga has just 484 litres of loadspace, while the Urus provides a more useful 616 litres. The rear seats in the DBX also split-fold in a 40/20/40 formation, allowing for more luggage space if needed.
Towing
Aston Martin states that both versions of the DBX can tow up to 2,700kg – so you can easily transport your track day pride and joy in a covered trailer. However, if you need more pulling power, the Bentayga can tow up to 3,500kg.
