2023 Aston Martin Vantage

Name: 2023 Aston Martin Vantage Review
Brand: Aston Martin

Release Date: Fall 2022

Estimated Price: $150,000-$300,000

The Aston Martin Vantage draws you in with the allure of exclusivity, powerful styling and a rich history. But the Vantage's clumsy interior design and hand-me-down tech interface are near mortal wounds at this price. It's occasionally riotous fun and occasionally special and luxurious. But the Vantage never feels like a cohesive package, and it lacks the direction and refinement that all of its main rivals possess in spades.

Pros

Potent 503-horsepower V8
Even more potent 690-horsepower V12
Exclusive and personalized

Cons

Interior isn't as polished as rivals
Infotainment tech is outdated
Cabin gets noisy on rough roads

Aston Martin Vantage for Sale

2023 Aston Martin Vantage Review

byDan Frio^{Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

What's new

V12 engine returns for a last dance
V12 available in convertible for the first time
Part of the new Vantage generation that debuted in 2019

Overview

The 2023 Aston Martin Vantage may be the smallest and least expensive car in this English automaker's lineup, but it's still burnished with the shine and rarity of its more expensive stablemates. With its long, sleek hood, low roof and muscular rear fenders, the Vantage is the kind of car you might leave for the aliens as an example of humankind's peak automotive design ingenuity.

Compared to more mass-produced sport coupes, the Vantage offers strong but not awe-inspiring performance. Sharp handling and a 503-horsepower turbocharged V8 sourced from Mercedes will thrill most drivers. Those who desire more can turn to the new V12 Vantage, which uses an in-house-developed 12-cylinder making nearly 700 horsepower. According to Aston, that's good enough for 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Collectors, take note: Aston says this is the last of its cars that will use a V12.

But while the Vantage's exclusivity and extensive opportunities for personalizing it make it a one-of-a-kind experience, those other mass-production models are typically more comfortable, more technologically advanced and more well-rounded performers. The Vantage's infotainment system — also sourced from Mercedes but from a previous-generation parts bin — is woefully outdated, and it highlights the Vantage's clumsy cabin design.

While a rational examination reveals the Vantage's flaws and strengths of its competitors, there's no denying the powerful emotional connection evoked by its seductive design. Be sure to read our test team's Expert Rating below for an honest look into the Vantage's rational and emotional lure.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Below Average

7.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Vantage drive? We tested the Vantage Roadster. It backs up its evocative styling with solid straight-line punch and a muscular soundtrack. We launched the Aston Martin to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and saw it rip through the quarter mile in 11.8 seconds at nearly 120 mph. Those numbers are fairly standard for this impressive class but that doesn't make them any less intoxicating. Braking numbers were equally as impressive: The Aston stopped from 60 mph with authority and consistency in just 100 feet.

Handling leaves a little to be desired. The steering is overly light no matter what mode you select, and the tires aren't up to managing both the speed and weight of the Vantage Roadster over longer stretches of a twisty road.

It's a solid everyday driver, however. Thanks to its bountiful low-end torque, the Vantage can effortlessly dawdle around at city speeds. The transmission's shifts are smooth, but you'll want to shut off the auto engine stop-start feature. The restarts are loud and clumsy.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Vantage? The seats are exceptionally comfortable and supportive. They also have adjustments aplenty so most everyone can be comfortable. We wish the center air vents offered as much adjustability since they never really directed enough air directly at the passengers. The climate control does work well enough with the top up, but the small buttons are fussy and tough to read at a quick glance.

Road noise from the high-performance tires is definitely noticeable but shouldn't put off buyers used to cars of this nature. But the ride quality spoils the experience the most. The Vantage lacks the comfort, refinement and body control we celebrate in similar vehicles such as the BMW M8.

Interior

6.5/10

How’s the interior? If the squared-off steering wheel doesn't get your immediate attention, the dense collection of buttons in the center of the dashboard certainly will. The climate control buttons crowd one another and demand second glances to ensure you select the right one. The buttons that closely surround the infotainment control knob affect its usability too. The column-mounted shift paddles are wonderful, but the left paddle crowds the turn signal, cruise control and steering wheel adjustment stalks.

The doors open with a slight upward angle, helping to clear high curbs and making the Vantage fairly easy to get in and out of in tighter spots. Once inside, taller drivers and passengers will have ample legroom but might very well run out of headroom. The surround-view camera system is very helpful, especially when you select the forward-looking lens since it aids in pulling the Vantage up against a curb without touching it.

Technology

6.0/10

How’s the tech? It's clear Aston Martin doesn't have a lot to work with. The infotainment system is based on an older Mercedes-Benz system, and somehow the company's designers made things worse than they had to be. From the temporary-looking placement of the modestly sized screen to the control knob that doesn't have enough room around the sides for effective operation, the Vantage is sure to disappoint anyone comfortable with its German rivals.

On a positive note, our test car's premium audio system was excellent, with good power and clarity. But the lack of Android Auto smartphone integration (there is Apple CarPlay) and a stodgy Bluetooth audio interface are disappointing in a car so costly. The Vantage lacks the latest advanced driver aids too. A blind-spot warning system and a good surround-view camera system are helpful, but adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning are unavailable.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The Vantage Roadster benefits from a compact convertible roof. That helps keep the truck's capacity (7 cubic feet) the same whether the top is up or down. Lined in plush carpeting, the trunk can easily hold a golf bag or a week's worth of groceries without issue. By comparison, the BMW M8 convertible offers a larger trunk (12.4 cubic feet) but sacrifices most of that when you lower the top.

There's ample interior storage space as well, but it's not always the most convenient. The center console houses small cupholders and a storage area capable of holding two pairs of sunglasses. Between the seatbacks is a sizable bin large enough to hold two baseball hats. But that bin requires quite the upper-body twist to reach into and can be finicky to open.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Vantage Roadster will get 20 mpg in combined driving (18 city/24 highway), which is very good for an high-end luxury sports car. We saw a credible 20.7 mpg over our 115-mile evaluation route that includes some sections of aggressive driving as well as plenty of freeway mileage.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Vantage a good value? People with the budget to purchase the Vantage are likely looking for exclusivity, high-quality materials and all the modern features. The Vantage certainly delivers exclusivity but trails most of the competition on the latter qualities. Whether it's the latest advanced driver aids or helpful features such as a nose-lift system to make driving over speed bumps easier, you're just not going to be able to get them on the Vantage.

Warranties are short in term, just three years of both powertrain and bumper-to-bumper coverage, but are long on distance, with unlimited mileage for both. The same goes for roadside assistance. Aston Martin does not offer free maintenance.

Wildcard

7.5/10

It's tough to judge if Aston Martin really knows what it wants out of the Vantage. Neither pure sports car nor luxury grand-touring car, it inhabits a sort of luxury no-man's land. People hoping for an aggressive, edgy performance experience promised by the exterior styling will find the light steering and only slightly above-average performance somewhat underwhelming. Likewise, those after a bespoke luxury experience will balk at the high levels of road noise and jittery ride and find the technologic hand-me-downs off-putting.

Which Vantage does Edmunds recommend?

Absent traditional trim levels, the Vantage offers extensive options for creating your own flavor. You can choose a monotone or two-tone interior color scheme, specify the color of stitching and headliner, and select from a handful of trim inlays. And that's just for the interior. Since the V12 model is essentially sold-out, we'd stick with a humble V8 Vantage. And we'd probably opt for the Roadster to better enjoy its satisfying exhaust rumble, then add ventilated seats and a premium audio system for when it's time to change the soundtrack.

Aston Martin Vantage models

The 2023 Vantage is available as a fixed-roof coupe or convertible (Roadster). The Vantage isn't offered in trim levels, but you can personalize it with dozens of options, colors, interior materials and various upgrades.

The regular Vantage comes with a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (503 horsepower, 505 lb-ft of torque) paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels. The special F1 edition boosts power to 527 horsepower. The new V12 Vantage uses a 5.2-liter 12-cylinder engine (690 hp, 555 lb-ft of torque) also paired to the same transmission. Aside from different features, the V12 Vantage is slightly larger to accommodate the bigger engine and suspension design.

Vantage
Standard feature highlights for the Aston Martin Vantage include:

20-inch wheels
Adaptive suspension dampers
Electronically controlled active limited-slip differential
LED headlights
Dual-zone automatic climate control
8-inch infotainment screen
Six-speaker audio system
Smartphone USB connection
Navigation system
Eight-way power-adjustable, heated seats with memory settings
Leather upholstery
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Vantage and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

The Vantage is available with a dizzying number of options, many of which revolve around vehicle personalization (such as grille finish or interior stitching color). There are a handful of stand-alone options that include:

Choice of 20- and 21-inch wheels
Heated steering wheel
Ventilated front seats
10-speaker premium audio system

The F1 Edition takes cues from the Aston Martin Formula 1 pace car, with upgrades that include:

Exclusive options include carbon-fiber sport seats and a Carbon package that adds — surprise — carbon-fiber trim accents inside the cabin.

V12 Vantage
New for 2023, the V12 Vantage (coupe) and Vantage Roadster add a 12-cylinder experience to essentially the same package as the V8 version. Some features and options unique to the V12 include:

21-inch wheels
Customized suspension tuning
Clutch-type limited-slip differential
Carbon-ceramic brakes
Upgraded leather and suede upholstery
Lightweight package (manual steering column and other weight-saving measures)
Titanium exhaust

2023 Aston Martin Vantage video

2020 Aston Martin Vantage Review and Test Drive

NOTE: This video is about the 2020 Aston Martin Vantage, but since the 2023 Aston Martin Vantage is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

The 2020 Aston Martin Vantage AMR is a rare machine these days, since it's one of only a handful to still be offered with a manual transmission. We spent a day in the Vantage AMR on mountain roads and the German autobahn — although, sadly, the speed-limited portion -- and it reminded…

2023 Aston Martin Vantage