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Ten Second Review

A sabre in a segment of sledgehammers. Is that what the Aston Martin DBX is? An Aston Martin SUV is already something pretty unique. With over 700PS, lots of attitude and a top speed knocking on the door of 200mph, this is better. The DBX now comes in both 707 and S forms and has been usefully evolved.

Background

Back in 2020, Aston Martin launched its first SUV, the DBX - and created it very much with what is now the mainstream version, the DBX707, in mind. The DBX707 first arrived in 2021. Customers loved what was then the top version - so much so that it quickly accounted for two-thirds of sales. Hence when the time came in early 2024 for a mid-term DBX update, the brand decided to delete the lower-powered standard model entirely. This improved model got enhanced cabin screen tech, but otherwise, the changes were subtle. There was still space though, the Gaydon engineers thought, for a DBX variant to slot in above the 707, hence in Spring 2025 the introduction of the DBX S, with 727PS. With both models, the idea was to truly unlock the performance potential within the DBX to create a world-beating high performance SUV.

Driving Experience

The DBX707 model update in early 2024 saw only minor engineering changes to this core model. The dampers were recalibrated and the brand claimed that 'response, precision and driver confidence' were all improved as a result. Plus the steering was re-tuned to give a greater bandwidth of behaviour between the various drive modes. As with the original DBX707, the Mercedes-sourced 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 has 707PS (hence the model name) and there's 900Nm of torque. As a result, the 62mph sprint time takes just 3.3s and the top speed is 193mph. That kind of performance would eventually wreck an ordinary auto gearbox, so a 9-speed 'wet clutch' auto transmission is installed, better capable of handling the extra grunt and dealing with the extra 'Race Start' feature added into the car's 'GT Sport' and 'Sport+' drive modes. The electronic limited slip rear differential is re-engineered for all this torque too, as are the brakes (they're of the track-level carbon ceramic kind). Plus the Electronic Active Roll Control set-up features parameters that heighten the sense of agility and improve the aggressive balance of the car. If you need even more DBX, Aston will point you towards the DBX S. This puts out 727PS - a 20PS power boost not enough to change the 707 model's core performance figures (though the brand claims that 124mph can be reached 0.3s faster). S model changes include alterations to change points on the 9-speed auto (and more agressive downshifts); plus a slightly quicker steering ratio and potentially lighter weight (if all the right options boxes are ticked). Whatever kind of DBX you decide upon, you might be surprised that, despite this model's modest 190mm of standard ground clearance, this Aston will properly go off road. The 4x4 rough surface settings are 'Terrain' (where the air suspension lifts the car higher) and 'Terrain+' (higher still). With everything raised, the car's approach angle can be as much as 25.7-degrees and the departure angle can be as much as 27.1-degrees, with a breakover angle of up to 18.8-degrees, plus there's Hill Descent Control for slithering down slippery slopes. All of it's enough to ensure that this car will go far further off road than any owner will ever need it to. Arguably more useful though, is the 500mm wading depth: there's even a breather pipe on the rear differential for situations such as reversing a trailer into water when launching a boat. But of course this car is much happier on tarmac, where the lack of semi-autonomous driving aids is a disappointment but journeying refinement is a pleasant surprise. That's no accident: there's a double-skin bulkhead, which acts like a noise-isolating structure between the cabin and the engine. Plus the Pirelli P-Zero tyres feature noise-reducing technology and the structure incorporates over 30kgs of sound-deadening material.

Design and Build

As part of the model year 2024 update to this DBX, Aston Martin introduced only subtle changes. These included the brand's latest 'Wings' badge, redesigned frameless door mirrors, door handles that 'self-present' as you approach and new paint schemes. All the bodywork elements that previously marked out this DBX model still of course remain - special louvred bonnet blades, a large front grille and model-specific daytime running lights, air intakes and brake cooling ducts, plus a smart gloss black front splitter profile. The satin chrome grille - offering cooling airflow to both the ultra-high performance V8 and the tougher 9-speed transmission - features double vanes, the six horizontal bars split to create extra visual interest. In profile, there are dark satin chrome window surrounds and gloss black side sills which feature a deep and heavily sculpted profile to give the DBX707 a ground-hugging stance. At the back, there's an overt lip spoiler and large twin rear diffuser rising to meet the larger-diameter quad exhaust system that's finished in satin black. If you choose the DBX S, you'll find that top variant set apart by a different front splitter and diffuser, upturned air splitters on the sills and a reprofiled rear bumper and diffuser to accommodate the uprated exhaust. Plus special S badging of course. The most significant changes that Aston made as part of the nodel year 2024 update lie inside, where the dated Mercedes-sourced central infotainment screen of the original model was swapped for the far more modern 10.25-inch monitor fitted to the DB12 sportscar. This runs a bespoke infotainment system with SUV-specific features like a hill descent control graphic. Other improvement included the replacement of the original model's digital instrument gauges with a larger 12.3-inch screen. And the original car's four fascia gear shift buttons were replaced by a toggle-style shifter on the centre console. As before, there are supportive sports seats and the interior features a dark chrome finish for the switchgear, with bright chrome carbon fibre trimming available as an option. There's comfortable space for two in the rear. And you get a big 632-litre boot, extendable to 1,529-litres with the 40:20:40-split rear seat folded.

Market and Model

You didn't think it was going to be inexpensive did you? Of course it isn't. At the time of this Review, the cost of a DBX 707 was around £205,000. Obviously, there'll be a big premium over that figure if you want the DBX S. And there'll be lots to add to those figures of course, once you've begun to tick a few options boxes. What else could you consider that's similar in this segment? A Lamborghini Urus would probably cost about the same as a 707, once you specced it up properly. For a bit less, there's the 'Red Label' version of BMW's XM (which is a V8 Plug-in Hybrid); and Porsche's Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT with 640PS and a £165,000 price tag might be tempting if you want a really dynamic SUV of this type. If you don't, you'll be looking at models like Bentley's Bentayga Speed. You'll need a lot more for the Maranello entrant to this exclusive sector, the Ferrari Purosangue - think £313,000 upwards for one of those. A Rolls-Royce Cullinan asks at least £330,000 from you. As for the mainstream DBX707 model's spec, well you get bespoke exterior looks with gloss black additions and bigger spoilers, plus a more prominent lower rear diffuser. Inside, there's unique interior with a dark chrome switchgear finish and micro-perforated upholstery. The seats - here 16-way-adjustable - come either in a mixture of leather and Alcantara - or they can be fully upholstered in softer semi-aniline leather embroidered with Aston Martin branding and featuring a contrast centre stripe. There's a sports exhaust and the brakes are of the track-style carbon ceramic kind.

Cost of Ownership

The running cost figures for this DBX are sobering - for the 707, you're looking at 19.9mpg on the combined cycle and a smoky CO2 stat of 323g/km. In town, it'll be a lot worse - think 12-13mpg according to the official urban stats. Aston Martin thinks that on a long motorway run, you might be able to edge up towards 25mpg, which in theory would give you an operating range of around 460 miles from the 85-litre fuel tank. But that seems pretty unlikely to us given that even during periods of quite restrained driving over lengthier trips, we struggled to get near the 20mpg mark throughout our test of the original model. A 350 mile range is more realistic and if you drive this car hard, you probably won't even get near to that. Aston says it has has no plans to offer the mild hybrid straight six DBX that used to be sold in the Chinese market. Residual values ought to be reasonable - official sources are quoting 56% after three years, about the same as a Lamborghini Urus or Bentley Bentayga. Insurance premiums probably won't be. Think top-of-the-shop group 50. Servicing can be monitored (along with wear for the expensive bespoke Pirelli P Zero tyres) on the instrument cluster display and garage visits are required every year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first and scheduled maintenance costs are fixed. There's a three year unlimited mileage warranty, with the option of extending that for either 12 or 24 months when it expires.

Summary

Is this, as its maker claims, still the fastest, most powerful, best handling and most engaging car of its kind? Ferrari, Lamborghini and even BMW will all take issue with that but if in preference to a Purosangue, a Urus or an XM, you decide upon a DBX, you're unlikely to be disappointed, especially following this useful update. Cars of this sort were once blunt instruments that lurched about with their huge V8 engines - an engineering embarrassment. The DBX though, is part of a new, more involving breed of uber fast SU-VIPs and we're impressed by the extent of the dynamic changes made since this car was originally launched. The ultimate SUV? Maybe not. But it gets very close.