2021 Aston Martin DBX Review

　　

2021 Aston Martin DBX Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Porsche long ago proved that performance and SUVs need not be mutually exclusive. Now it's Aston Martin's turn to show how it can be done. The 2021 Aston Martin DBX is the automaker's first-ever SUV, and one of just a few exotic-branded SUVs on the market. As a midsize five-seat SUV priced above $175,000, it's a rival to the likes of the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Aston Martin DBX 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$299/mo  for DBX Base

　　DBX Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $176,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　As you'd expect from Aston, performance is a key attribute. Power comes from an updated version of the Mercedes-sourced turbocharged V8 that's in the Vantage and DB11 sports cars. The engine produces 542 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Mat the gas pedal and the resulting acceleration is explosive. The DBX loves to pull away quickly from a stop; you'll have to be judicious with the accelerator if you want to build speed without pinning your passengers to their seatbacks.

　　All the right materials are present inside the DBX, with wood, metal, leather and available faux suede trim throughout the cabin. As is typical of ultra-luxury cars, the DBX is pretty much loaded with features out of the gate. A configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument panel sits behind the steering wheel, though the true focal point is the 10-inch display screen in the center stack. As with the engine, the infotainment system is sourced from Mercedes. Unfortunately, it's an older design and is not as easy to use as Mercedes' more modern MBUX system.

　　On the whole, however, Aston Martin has done right with its first SUV. With effortlessly quick acceleration, stupefying handling and a top-notch interior, the DBX earns its place among the most impressive exotic SUVs on the market.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar 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.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　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 performance. Our only real complaints pertain to a slightly unrefined engine stop-start system and mildly overbearing stability control.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　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

7.0/10

　　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 quality 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 was useless for actually staying in the lane.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Cargo and storage will always be 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.

　　

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. The DBX carries an official 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 zzdcar' 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 zzdcar recommend?

With its impressive list of standard equipment and high-quality leather interior, any DBX would be fine with us. But if we were picky, we'd opt for one (or all) of the carbon-fiber exterior appearance packages as well as a custom two-tone leather interior and the sport exhaust. Hey, we can dream.

　　

2021 Aston Martin DBX models

The Aston Martin DBX doesn't have any trim levels; instead it offers a multitude of stand-alone options as well as traditional and lifestyle-based option packages. If the seemingly endless list of options and interior combinations is overwhelming, Aston Martin offers ready-made, curated builds, even down to the paint color. All DBXs have a turbocharged 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 engine (542 horsepower, 516 lb-ft) and a nine-speed automatic transmission to route power to all four wheels.

　　DBX

　　Even without options, the Aston is luxuriously equipped with:

　　22-inch wheels Adjustable air suspension with adaptive dampers Electronic limited-slip differential for the rear axle LED headlights Full leather upholstery Heated, 12-way power-adjustable front seats with memory Power-operated tailgate 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation Apple CarPlay compatibility Keyless entry with push-button start Heated rear seats Panoramic sunroofThe DBX also comes with:

　　Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Aston Martin and the car in front) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the DBX and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Lane keeping assist (steers the DBX back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)Highlights of some of the DBX's many available option packages include:

　　Convenience package Hands-free power tailgate Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Touchpad with control for garage door opener Indulgence package 16-way power-adjustable front seats with memory settings Heated and ventilated front and rear seats Tinted rear side windows with added sound insulation DB Elegance package Quilted and perforated leather seating surfaces Upgraded leatherwork with embroidery Events package Rear-facing, trunk-mounted seats Food and dining storage, including a chilled compartment Picnic blanket Umbrella strap Snow package Roof-mounted ski rack Warmer for ski boots Bags for ski storage Snow chains Mud flaps Unique doorsill plates

　　

2021 DBX Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$176,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	15 MPG
Cost to Drive	$299/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	22.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / unlimited miles