Skip advert
Advertisement

Aston Martin Rapide S review

Revised four-door Aston Martin Rapide is sharper to drive

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Aston Martin Rapide S
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Rapide S is now much more deserving of the Aston badge. It’s sharper and quicker than before, but feels just as much at home on some of Britain’s more rutted roads. It has so much more character than a Porsche Panamera Turbo S, but it’s far from perfect. The infotainment system is almost unfathomable and those rear seats are a little too cramped.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The best place to test the new Aston Martin Rapide S has to be in the UK – after all, it’s where the development team has spent most of its time honing this facelifted four-door.

Aston Martin news and reviews 

It feels right at home on UK roads, too, helped in part by the new adaptive dampers. Keep them in Normal mode and it flows over cracked tarmac that other supercars struggle with. 

Sport and Track modes are progressively firmer, helping to improve cornering slightly, but the Rapide S is so impressive in Normal mode that we ended up leaving the suspension button well alone during our test.

Aston has also mounted the engine 19mm lower and retuned the steering. As a result, this car feels more responsive than the old Rapide – in fact it now feels more like a sports car than a GT cruiser.

The steering itself is hydraulic rather than electric, offering a nice amount of feedback without constantly wriggling around in your hands.

Aston has also upped power from the 6.0-litre V12 from 470bhp to 550bhp, lowering the 0-62mph time from 5.2 seconds to 4.9 in the process. 

It’s not as frantic as Porsche’s Panamera Turbo S, or even the Audi RS7 but it’s plenty quick enough, and you feel in complete control at all times. 

The cabin looks and feels great, but we wish Aston had updated the centre console to mirror the Vanquish. Some switches are tiny, and the main menu is displayed on a minuscule black and white screen mounted above the clock, which is difficult to use, rather than the large colour screen. 

Then there’s the Rapide’s ever-present problem – as a four-seater, it’s not great. The back seats really are for short trips only. Nevertheless, the Rapide S is a truly desirable car to drive and handles wonderfully. And the good news is that there’s no change to the price.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,200
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,464 off RRP*Used from £10,695
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,763 off RRP*Used from £11,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
Skoda Octavia vRS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!

A three-time Auto Express Family Car of the Year winner, paired with Golf GTI power, is our Deal of the Day for 6 July
News
6 Jul 2025