Aston Martin’s long-awaited crossover offers elite families something of a double agent: practical transportation for the brood and blistering performance when the road is your own.
With a rush of crossovers from uberluxe, high-performance automakers hitting the market, it was only a matter of time until Aston Martin got in on the game. And it’s anted up in a game changer. Powered by a version of the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the halo DB11 and Vantage sportsters, the DBX (from $189,000, astonmartin.com) speaks volumes on performance, applying the power plant now to all four wheels. Inside and out, it delivers on the promise of elevated, extreme motoring you’d expect from 007’s carmaker of preference.
Interior Luxury
Ample room for five across means even more sumptuous Bridge of Weir leather is draped nearly everywhere your body comes in contact with the cabin. Sport-inspired front seats remind you you’re not driving a pedestrian crossover.
Traction & Suspension
The DBX’s all-wheel-drive system uses both an active center differential and an electronic rear slip differential and is paired with an uncanny adaptive triple-chamber air-spring suspension system and electronic active anti-roll technology; while the center of gravity is relatively high, it drives like a sports car.
Side to Rear
The designers have picked up all the swept-back badging, sculpting and highlight cues that make Aston Martins look like they’re in motion— even when parked. Large muscular rear haunches evoke an athlete coiled at the starting block, ready to spring. Even the practical rear hatch is inspired by the Vantage ubercar.
Grille & Hood
The wide, menacing grille, intakes, elliptical headlamps and sculpted hood are all pure Aston Martin DNA. When put side by side with the maker’s estimable stable of gorgeous cars, this crossover fits in nicely.
Power Plant
The same guts as Aston Martin’s DB11 and Vantage ride under the bonnet of the DBX. A 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 puts out 542 horses and 516 foot-pounds of torque to deliver a 4.3-second giddyup from 0 to 60 mph.
Photography by: PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASTON MARTIN
