2023 Aston Martin DBS

Aston Martin recently introduced a redesigned emblem and fresh corporate identity, and a massive investment worth $744 million will help it settle its considerable debt. It's been an up-and-down period for the British carmaker, but whatever is happening behind the scenes, these concerns seem to melt away behind the wheel of the Aston Martin DBS. The prospect of electrification seems galaxies away when the 5.2-liter turbocharged V12 springs into life and unleashes 715 horsepower, ensuring a 0-62 mph time of just 3.4 seconds. A classic grand tourer, the DBS isn't as agile, powerful, or quick as the Ferrari 812 Superfast, but it has a more opulent interior and many will argue that it's more beautiful than the Italian. It has dated interior tech and lacks the cornering precision of lighter sports cars, so even though the DBS isn't without its flaws, it's still an exotic that makes every journey one to savor.

The Aston Martin DBS has a starting price of $340,500, before any options are added. This price also excludes taxes, licensing, registration, a gas-guzzler tax, and a destination charge upwards of $2,8k. It's undoubtedly expensive, especially considering that the Bentley Continental GT goes for $100,000 less.

As before, the Aston Martin DBS is powered by a mighty 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 making 715 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard, so the task of managing all that power via just two driven wheels makes the DBS both challenging and rewarding to drive. In a straight line, the 0-62 mph dash takes only 3.4 seconds, but when the road gets twisty, you'll need to have your wits about you. The steering requires considerable muscle as it's quite heavy, and although the car can be accurately maneuvered, its weight means that you can't pull off the same tricks that you can in the Ferrari 812. Sport Plus mode sharpens everything up, and with the V12 never letting you forget that it's there, the car never fails to excite - for better or worse.

The adaptive damping suspension does a fine job of ironing out surface imperfections, so the DBS can easily be used on longer road trips. It isn't as cossetting as a Bentley Continental, but in our real-world review of the Aston Martin DBS, we didn't find it a jarring experience.

At a starting MSRP of $340,500 before options, the 2023 Aston Martin DBS coupe is in need of an update to remedy its old-school interior tech. A modern GT of this stature should also come with advanced driver-assist technologies as standard. But despite these setbacks, the DBS is still an exceptional GT. The V12 engine is a dying breed so its continued presence in the DBS feels like an occasion to be savored. The Aston Martin DBS's competitors include the Ferrari 812 Superfast and Bentley Continental GT Speed, and although the DBS isn't as athletic or quick as the Italian nor as refined as the Brit, its emotive qualities are up there with the best. Whether you're looking at it, sitting in it, or caning it, the Aston Martin DBS makes its pilot feel special. However, with a brace of impressive changes on the way, it may be a good idea to see what Aston Martin has in store for the 2024 DBS.

As there is just one trim on offer, the final Aston Martin DBS that each customer ends up with will come down to their choice of color and interior treatment. We'd specify ours with the Bang & Olufsen sound system upgrade, the ventilated seats, and in one of the more unusual shades such as Iridescent Emerald or Divine Red - after all, this isn't a car for shrinking violets. Beware, though, that ticking enough boxes can easily add tens of thousands to the base price.