2023 Aston Martin DB11 Coupe

Ailing British sports car manufacturer Aston Martin has struggled to stay afloat for decades, but that still hasn't stopped it from continually putting out some of the best-looking automotive exotica in the world time after time. The 2023 Aston martin DB11 Coupe is one such automotive artwork and the latest in a series of models named after David Brown, the man who bought the company and saved it from ruin in 1946.

This buxom Brit is a stunning grand tourer that looks great from any angle and makes similar GTs like the Bentley Continental GT and BMW 8 Series Coupe look bland by comparison. That European style overflows into the cabin, where only the finest materials have been used, although if you look closely, you'll spot Mercedes switchgear and dated infotainment from the German brand. That's quickly forgotten when you fire up what's under the hood, with a choice of an (AMG-sourced) 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 developing 528 horsepower or a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 worth 630 hp. Both power the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and both have enough noise and drama to leave onlookers in awe. This is grand touring royalty at its finest.

The price of the Aston Martin DB11 Coupe starts off at an MSRP of around $200,000 for the V8 variant. Next is the DB11 V12 which increases the outlay to the region of $250,000. These prices exclude options (and remember, there is a plethora of those), taxes, licensing, registration, and a destination charge of $3,086.

The Aston Martin DB11 Coupe has never been the sharpest tool in the shed; its weight and chassis setup has always left us wanting a bit more dynamism, but the good news is that continuous updates and tweaks have resulted in a car that is more capable than ever. A review of the Aston Martin DB11 Coupe for 2023 reveals a chassis that feels more responsive than ever, with the promise of more to come once it receives a major overhaul in the near future. The steering is tight and direct, with good feedback, but the car never feels small or shrinks around the driver.

Regardless of your engine choice, there's enough power to shake the tail loose, but leave the nannies on and treat it with a little respect, and the 2023 DB11 Coupe will happily carve through corners with aplomb. However, if you're after the best driving version of this car, we recommend going for the V8. It may lack the aural drama and prestige of owning a V12, but it's 243 lbs lighter, giving the front end a little more sharpness.

The DB11's damping system has three modes: GT, Sport, and Sport +. We'd recommend GT for in-town driving. This mode makes the DB11 Coupe a smooth operator on both city streets and the highway. The Bentley Continental GT is a more refined cruiser, but we'd rather be seen in this.

While it feels like a cheat to compare a new car to an old one, the DB11 Coupe is a massive step forward from the DB9 it replaced. A slew of updates for the 2022 model year has helped it remain current, but the 2023 DB11 still has a few flaws. The biggest is a dated infotainment system with old Mercedes computing and switchgear, but the interior also has a couple of flimsy trim choices in some places. The rear seats are more for show than for practical use, and the trunk is put to shame by a Bentley Continental GT. But it looks sensual, and with either engine it makes an unholy noise that's impossible not to love. We still maintain the V8 is the purer driver's tool, but a car like this is a true heart-over-head buying decision, and we wouldn't begrudge you the V12 in the slightest. Major updates to the platform are slated for the near future, however, so if you're not in a hurry, delaying your purchase might yield an even better package.

This is a tricky one to answer because, at $50,000 less, the V8 model nearly matches the V12's performance and, by virtue of being lighter, is a slightly more athletic handler. On the other hand, little can replicate the novelty of a large V12 power plant. For a couple of reasons, we're going to go with the V12. One, if you can afford the V8 at nearly $200,000, stretching to the V12 shouldn't be a big issue. Two, if you want an exciting British sports car, get the cheaper and more dynamic Vantage. Primarily conceived as a comfortable GT, the V12 fits that description to a tee. We'll leave the bewildering number of color/trim choices up to you.