2021 Aston Martin Vantage Review

　　

2021 Aston Martin Vantage 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 When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The Vantage is the entry point to the world of Aston Martin but should in no way be considered entry-level. It's equipped with a 503-horsepower turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 and your choice of either a seven-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. Handling is crisp, and when equipped with the optional manual transmission, the overall mood is one of engagement and exclusivity.

　　The Vantage comes well equipped from the start, and options are largely focused on personalization with a wealth of paint options and interior color combinations. The Aston Martin bridges the gap between cars like the Jaguar F-Type SVR and the Bentley Continental GT, offering a mix of off-the-shelf performance hardware and bespoke customization. Other close competitors include the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Coupe and the Porsche 911 Carrera S.

　　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.

　　Below Average

　　7.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar 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 proper selection. 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 a previous-generation 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. Blind-spot monitoring 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 sports 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? Buyers 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. Our Vantage Roadster test car stickered close to $200,000 and lacked features we'd expect, such as carbon-ceramic brakes, most advanced driver aids and a thoroughly modern infotainment system. The exclusivity promised by the Aston Martin might simply not be enough for most buyers.

　　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 Roadster. Neither pure sports car nor luxury grand-touring car, it inhabits a sort of luxury no-man's land. Buyers 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, buyers 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 zzdcar recommend?

It's hard to go wrong with any of the available stand-alone options. Our Vantage would be equipped with the seven-speed manual transmission and a set of custom luggage (because why not?). As for the various option packages, we'd keep ours without for the most straightforward performance experience.

　　

2021 Aston Martin Vantage models

The 2021 Vantage is available as either a coupe or a convertible (the Roadster). It has no trim levels but instead offers personalization through a multitude of paint and interior trim colors. This rear-wheel-drive sports car is powered by a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 and offers a choice of two transmissions. Select the eight-speed automatic, and the engine will put out 503 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque. Torque drops to 461 lb-ft if you opt for the available seven-speed manual transmission.

　　Vantage

　　Standard features for the Aston Martin Vantage include:

　　20-inch wheels Adaptive suspension dampers Dual-zone automatic climate control 8-inch infotainment screen Six-speaker audio system Navigation system Eight-way power-adjustable 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)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). However, there are a handful of packages that offer functional upgrades, including:

　　Technology Collection package Touchpad controller for the infotainment system Blind-spot monitor (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) Comfort Collection package 16-way power-adjustable seats with heating Choice of 20- and 21-inch wheels Heated steering wheel Ventilated front seats 10-speaker audio system

　　

2021 Vantage Highlights

Type: CoupeConvertibleConvertible

　　

Base MSRP	$161,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$228/month
Seating	2 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / unlimited miles