2021 Aston Martin DBX: 5 Things We Like and 4 We Don't
Aston Martin is a brand more associated with high-end grand touring coupes than SUVs, but that may be changing with the launch of its new mid-size DBX SUV.
Related: 2021 Aston Martin DBX Review: When a Bentley Is Just Too Common
While the very idea of an Aston Martin SUV may make devotees howl and leave Sir James Bond scratching his head, it could also be argued that the British carmaker is somewhat late to the party. Other premium brands such as Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini have beaten Aston Martin to this particular all-you-can-eat chocolate fountain.
We’ll stay out of that debate, but we can say that Aston Martin’s first SUV is an impressive effort. Thoroughly luxurious, agile and — of course — expensive, the DBX is more than ready to go toe-to-toe with competitors including the Cayenne Turbo, Bentayga and Urus. Its distinctively good looks shouldn’t hurt sales with the Rodeo Drive crowd, either.
Good as it is, we’re not completely taken with the DBX. Here are five things we like, and four things we don’t care for as much, about the 2021 Aston Martin DBX.
For a more detailed evaluation of the 2021 DBX, head to the link above to read Aaron Bragman’s complete review. For a quick look at what we like and don’t, read on.
Things We Like
1. Worthy Powertrain
The DBX gets its engine from Mercedes-Benz’s AMG wizards — and what an engine it is. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 pumping out 542 horsepower is matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, enabling the five-seat SUV to jump from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds with a top speed of 181 mph. Better still, the exhaust note is uniquely Aston Martin, throaty and melodic. If that’s not sufficient, a more powerful DBX707 has just been revealed.
2. Easy on the Eyes
Beauty may well be in the eye of the beholder, but most eyes will likely agree the DBX is a good-looking SUV by any measure. Aston Martin has managed to translate the brand’s traditional coupe styling into a sleek, graceful, yet aggressive-looking SUV that stands out even in a parking lot full of high-end competitors.
3. Feel From the Helm
Civilized and hushed, yet appropriately raucous when pushed, the DBX delivers not just abundant acceleration but solid handling for a vehicle of this ilk. The steering has plenty of heft and good feedback, and the adjustable air suspension and electronic active roll control offer up exceptional ride comfort in grand-touring style.
4. Interior Accommodations
Opening the door reveals an opulent interior that lives up to the brand’s signature style. The cabin is swathed in quilted and stitched leather; the seats are welcoming and comfortable front and rear; and the thick steering wheel and distinct gauges and switchgear are pure Aston Martin. A variety of attractive color palettes are available.
5. Stylishly Safe
The DBX comes with an assortment of automatic safety systems that some of its German competitors notably do not, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning and lane departure warning with steering assist.
Things We Don’t
1. Tough Brakes
The brake pedal in our test DBX felt soft and mushy, which was both a surprise and a big disappointment in a vehicle with this kind of pedigree and capability for speed. In stark contrast to the rest of the driving experience, the brakes impart little confidence.
2. Multimedia Maladies
Mercedes-Benz provides not only its AMG engine technology to power the DBX but its multimedia system as well. Unfortunately, here the German manufacturer was apparently feeling less generous, as the DBX uses a system derived from Mercedes’ old Comand system — which is a decade old — instead of the newest version. The system lacks touchscreen capability and instead uses a rotary controller in the center console or steering-wheel controls. In addition, the Comand system is not all that easy to navigate, and we found only sporadic success when trying to pair a phone.
3. Interior Inconsistencies
As gorgeous as the DBX’s cabin is, some bits have a low-rent look and feel that stands out even more given the standard set by the rest of the interior. Some of the climate vents and various buttons and switches have a flimsy feel, a malady also present in Aston Martin coupes.
4. High Destination Charge
The starting price for a 2021 DBX is $179,986, which is not insignificant but competitive compared with other models in its class. With options, our test vehicle came to $218,386. Again, that number is not likely to hamper sales with the target audience. But what did strike us as notable was the $3,086 destination charge, which is the highest we’ve seen.
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