2023 Aston Martin DBX

Name: 2023 Aston Martin DBX Review
Brand: Aston Martin

Release Date: On sale now

Estimated Price: DBX707 starts at $236,000 (not including destination)

We never thought we'd live to see an SUV by Aston Martin and yet here we are. The 2023 DBX blends Aston Martin's distinctive styling with a spacious cabin, a decent amount of utility, and a powerful V8 engine. But in a growing field of super SUVs, the DBX doesn't break any ground in performance, function or technology. In other words, you'll have to really want an Aston Martin SUV to justify paying for one.Read full review

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Aston Martin DBX for Sale

2023 Aston Martin DBX Review

by Cameron Rogers

rating written by Jonathan Elfalan

Pros

Gutsy turbocharged engines
Sharp steering, stellar handling
Plenty of standard interior luxuries

Cons

Dated infotainment system
Ride on rough roads can be harsh
Driver assist technology isn't as refined as it should be

What's new

New DBX707 version with almost 700 horsepower
Part of the first DBX generation introduced for 2021

Overview

The Aston Martin DBX is the British sports car maker's first SUV. The DBX delivers the effortless performance and exceptional craftsmanship we've come to expect from the U.K.-based firm and provides a bit more ground clearance and utility than other Astons.

The standard DBX soldiers on with few changes for 2023. The big news this year is the DBX707, a more extreme version of the DBX tuned to 697 horsepower. The new model receives a host of performance upgrades, including a new wet-clutch nine-speed automatic transmission, carbon-ceramic brakes, specific calibrations for the air suspension and anti-roll system, a revised rear limited-slip differential and new driver-selectable performance modes. The result of these upgrades is an SUV that's surprisingly nimble and engaging on curvy roads and face-meltingly quick in a straight line. At the same time, the 707 is reasonably comfortable (even equipped with the available 23-inch wheels), easy to drive in traffic, and relatively docile when driven with a light foot.

The DBX707 elevates the Aston SUV's performance capabilities, but unfortunately it doesn't fix any of the model's key issues. By far the biggest of those issues is the DBX's outdated infotainment system, which doesn't offer touchscreen functionality and generally feels old and clunky compared to its competition. Speaking of competition, the DBX's rivals include such heavy hitters as the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT and the new Ferrari Purosangue. The DBX is a fine ultra-luxury SUV and is uniquely Aston Martin inside and out, but if cutting-edge tech is a priority for you, you'll want to look elsewhere. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below to get the full download on the DBX.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8/10

How does the DBX drive? Aston Martins have never been about world-dominating speed and grip, and the DBX isn't looking to change that. Instead you'll find an appreciable balance of everything that makes for a suitable grand-touring vehicle.

With its turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 thrumming under the hood, our DBX test vehicle sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and cleared the quarter mile in 12.5 seconds at 112 mph. That's ample speed for a performance SUV. The DBX also has a quick-shifting gearbox, communicative steering, and strong and smooth braking. Our only real complaints pertain to a slightly unrefined engine stop-start system and mildly overbearing stability control.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the DBX? The DBX is comfortable but falls short in a few areas. The front seats in particular feel a little flat and unyielding. They have excellent lateral support to hold you in place while cornering, but they lack any extending support for the lower cushion. The standard adaptive air suspension delivers a commendable ride over nearly any surface, especially considering the large 22-inch wheels that the DBX rolls on. Road noise is also pretty minimal, though wind noise is somewhat more prevalent.

The DBX has tri-zone climate (some competitors offer four-zone systems) and the system is able to warm or cool the cabin quickly. The heated and ventilated seats also work quickly. But we don't like the way the climate controls are laid out. Some functions are toggles or capacitive buttons, while other functions are accessed through the digital display.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? Aston Martin has put some of the most beautiful sports cars on the road. But with the DBX, some of the eye-catching design comes at the expense of function. Door handles, window controls and seat controls all look great but present ergonomic challenges. Our biggest gripe concerns the infotainment system: The central display lacks touchscreen functionality. Seriously, why?

The rest of the DBX interior is quite good. The cabin is spacious, especially in the back seat. There's a generous amount of legroom and enough headroom to accommodate someone as tall as 6-foot-5. Despite the unintuitive seat controls, we eventually found a comfortable driving position as well. Visibility out of the cockpit is good, especially to the front.

Technology

7/10

How’s the tech? Technology is where the DBX indisputably trails the pack. First, the good: 1) the 14-speaker audio system, which doesn't carry the markings of any notable audio brand, produces crisp and clear sound and 2) the voice recognition system can recognize most commands using natural speech.

It's mostly downhill from there. Everything from using the navigation system to changing the climate controls is a small chore. The infotainment system is supposed to have Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, but we were unable to get it to work during our DBX test. There are four USB ports for charging devices but no wireless charger, which we think is an oversight at this price.

Though the DBX had most of the modern advanced driving aids, their functionality left much to be desired. Adaptive cruise stopped abruptly on a few occasions, and the lane keeping system seemed far too sensitive in detecting lane markings yet proved useless for actually staying in the lane.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Cargo and storage is always a relevant topic for any SUV, no matter how exotic. The DBX offers a fairly good amount of utility with a rear cargo area of just over 22 cubic feet, and all of it is pretty usable. The rear seats split in three sections and fold virtually flat for when you need to carry longer items.

Inside there are various places, all modestly sized, for storing personal items. A leather-lined bonus area beneath the center console looks to be a perfect spot for a wireless charger, but we didn't find one there. Most luxury SUVs don't do a great job of offering ample interior storage, so the DBX is not an outlier. Should you want to use your exotic SUV as a school bus, you'll be pleased to know that the child safety seat anchors are easily accessible, and there's a helpful amount of space for installing even a bulky rear-facing model.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? This is not the SUV to buy if you're concerned with efficiency, but that said, it's not the worst of the bunch either. Our text DBX carried a rating of 15 mpg combined (14 city/18 highway), which aligns with vehicles such as the BMW X5 M and Bentley Bentayga. But let's be real, no one will be making this point. For what it's worth, the DBX returned slightly better fuel economy than expected on Edmunds' 115-mile evaluation route, averaging 19.7 mpg.

Value

6.5/10

Is the DBX a good value? While you can't really place a value on exclusivity, we can compare what a vehicle objectively offers versus its competition. The quality of materials in the DBX is exquisite, and we can't remember any vehicle with more leather-wrapped surfaces. There is a lot of super-soft leather here.

For better and for worse, Astons also have a hand-built quality and feel to them. Some gaps and seams, though, aren't quite lined up tightly, and while some may find this charming, others might find it frustrating at this price point. But objectively speaking, the DBX offers nothing that its less expensive peers provide other than the Aston Martin badge. For some, the brand alone is a compelling enough argument.

The DBX offers similar warranty coverage to other brands of this ilk, with three years of comprehensive warranty coverage and roadside assistance and a 10-year corrosion warranty, all without mileage limits.

Wildcard

8.5/10

The DBX is middle of the pack when it comes to fun behind the wheel. Most other exotic SUVs are quicker and have more grip, but the DBX offers a more artisanal balance of things. Those expecting world-beating performance will be left wanting more, but if you're familiar with the Aston Martin experience, the DBX will feel just right.

And when it comes to design, we think Aston Martin nailed the look of the DBX. The brand's design DNA translates surprisingly well, with muscular lines that also manage to look graceful. It looks like an Aston Martin but also like nothing else on the road.

Which DBX does Edmunds recommend?

The extra power and performance of the DBX707 are certainly tempting, but the standard DBX should be more than quick enough for most. By going with the regular version, you'll save over $50,000 and still have a potent and lavishly appointed SUV. If you want an even more opulent experience, you can use the money you save getting lost in Aston Martin's extensive customization options.

2023 Aston Martin DBX video

Lamborghini Urus vs. Aston Martin DBX | Exotic SUV Showdown & Drag Race

NOTE: This video is about the 2021 Aston Martin DBX, but since the 2023 Aston Martin DBX is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

The Aston Martin DBX and Lamborghini Urus are among the quickest and most opulent SUVs money can buy. These are super SUVs with the power and luxury to match, which means our expectations are in the stratosphere.

2023 Aston Martin DBX

2023 Aston Martin DBX Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which DBX does Edmunds recommend?

2023 Aston Martin DBX video

Lamborghini Urus vs. Aston Martin DBX | Exotic SUV Showdown & Drag Race

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