2023 Aston Martin DBX

Like most of the world's supercar brands, Aston Martin has been forced to venture into the world of SUVs to survive. When it first arrived in 2021, the DBX became an instant success and is widely credited for keeping the Gaydon-based company afloat. Aston Martin has successfully transferred its design DNA into an SUV, so it looks great - but when you're going up against the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga, you need more than just a pretty face.

Powered by an AMG-sourced 4.0-liter V8 engine, the Aston Martin DBX is a rapid brute. With 542 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, the 6,600-plus-pound SUV is able to hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, and, sitting on a bespoke platform, you get a fine balance of ride quality and handling. And the cabin is filled with the finest materials and plenty of nice-to-haves. But, then again, the Bentley Bentayga's innards are just as wonderful. If you're lucky enough to be shopping in this segment, you've got a few tough choices to make. Is Aston's first attempt at an SUV worth looking at?

The base price of the Aston Martin DBX SUV begins at over $188,986, but nobody will ever pay that little for one. Even the destination charge of $3,086, excluded in the starting price, is higher than for most other automakers in the USA. As we mentioned earlier, Aston Martin doesn't list the price of exterior colors, interior trim, personalization options, or accessories. You build the car online, and Aston points you toward the nearest dealership to find out what the damage is. Looking at what's already available on dealer floors, you can expect to pay between $200k to $240k for a personalized DBX.

The dynamic abilities of the new Aston Martin DBX SUV highlight the Jekyll and Hyde character of the car. Drive it as you would any other luxury vehicle, and it responds with a smooth ride and a hushed engine note. Despite the large wheels, it floats over rough surfaces beautifully, thanks to the standard adaptive air suspension. It's not quite as smooth as a Bentayga or a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but it wipes the floor with the Urus. Still, you'd be happy to drive to and from the office in the DBX, as it provides a serene and relaxing daily driver experience.

Push the drive selector into Sport mode, and the tall Aston is transformed into a sports car-like machine. For an SUV, the steering is communicative and sharp and easily gives the aforementioned Lamborghini a run for its money. Of course, body lean is present, but it's nowhere near as bad as you'd think. Drop a few gears, plant your right foot, and revel in the exquisite twin-turbocharged V8 engine; it's not quite as powerful as some rivals, but the standard DBX has more than enough muscle for most. If, however, you prefer your lofty Aston to have even more vim and vigor, the new DBX707 may be just for you.

Aston Martin knocked it out of the park with its first-ever SUV back in 2021 already. The DBX ticks all the boxes; it's fast, striking to look at, luxurious, and should be the envy of the country club parking lot. However, the Aston Martin DBX's competitors put up a strong fight, and are just as deserving of your attention. The Lamborghini Urus is faster and even more exciting through a set of bends - it's a true performance car and feels more like a sports sedan on stilts than an SUV. The DBX is more engaging than the Bentley Bentayga, but that strikes back with a superbly-trimmed cabin and the best ride quality of the trio. It's also the most refined and is available with several engine choices. The DBX is powered by a twin-turbo V8 only, and it does an admirable job, together with the nine-speed automatic transmission. To get the most out of the car, it also comes standard with an adaptive air suspension and multiple driving modes.

The interior is fully stocked with all the luxuries an owner could reasonably expect. The advanced driver assistance features include adaptive cruise control, a speed limiter, forward collision warning with auto emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane change warning, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and door exit warning. What the DBX does best, however, is blend the best aspects of its rivals and offer these in one handsome package. It's an ideal all-rounder and perfect for those discerning customers who want their ultra-luxury SUV infused with some potent performance.

There is only one "trim level" of Aston Martin DBX for now, but the customization options are nearly endless. The DBX comes highly equipped as standard, but that didn't stop Aston from loading our tester up with $38,400 worth of options adding up to a $218,386 as-tested DBX price. Most of these add-ons include various exterior styling tweaks, extravagant interior trim, and other minor changes, so we'd say it's entirely possible to configure as DBX under $200,000. The vehicle starts at over $188k (before destination), and we'd set aside a few grand for an extravagant paint color and some upgraded interior stitching. The Sports Exhaust upgrade seems well worth the $2,300 upgrade, and after that, you can probably log off the configurator without emptying your whole life's savings.