The 2023 Aston Martin DBX is instilled with the British brand's racy DNA. It's bulkier than a DB11 and not as agile as a Vantage, but unlike its low-slung siblings, this high-riding ute has a useable back seat, offers a lot more cargo space, and it can tow and go off-road. The regular DBX has a sweet-sounding twin-turbo V-8, but it's not as quick as some less expensive competitors. The remedy for that is the new 697-hp DBX 707, which has a hotter engine and other performance enhancements. Every example also comes with a rich-looking interior that can be extensively customized. We do wish it had a firmer brake pedal and a full complement of active safety features, though.
Still, the 2023 DBX is just as dapper and entertaining as Aston's grand touring cars, it's just dressed in an SUV wrapper. Aston Martin provides an impressive number of personalization options for the DBX, especially through its Q customization service. The company's online configurator shows several different appearance packages, and we're partial to Accelerate interior theme, with its mix of leather and faux suede and the Sports Plus seats. On the outside, we'd choose the pretty Minotaur Green paint as well as the 22-inch black-and-bronze Ribbon wheels. We'd also opt for the tow package, the power tailgate, and the Sports Exhaust system that lets us better enjoy the engine's music.
Engine Performance
The regular DBX is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine supplied by Mercedes-AMG. The engine makes 542 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque and pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission, also supplied by Mercedes. The DBX 707 features a revised version of the AMG powertrain that generates 697 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque. Its nine-speed automatic uses a wet-clutch pack instead of the torque converter used by the standard transmission. While the DBX is fundamentally rear-wheel drive, a center transfer case sends torque to the front axle when slippage is detected at the rear. It also has a limited-slip rear differential and can tow up to 5940 pounds.
Adaptive dampers and height-adjustable air springs come standard on the Aston a boon for off-road adventuring. The DBX we tested rushed to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, which is respectable for a hot SUV, but the Lamborghini Urus and other rivals are notably quicker. The version we drove on England's best roads showcased the engine's lusty soundtrack and the transmission's unobtrusive operation. Thanks to a diverse set of drive modes, its chassis demonstrated a broad range of demeanors, from refined and relaxed to responsive and playful. Despite its short 157-foot stop from 70 mph, the ute suffered from an unresponsive brake pedal.
Fuel Economy
Per the EPA's methodology, the regular DBX will earn 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. The DBX 707's city and highway estimates haven't been revealed yet. We also haven't had the chance to evaluate the standard model's real-world fuel economy on our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen.
Interior Design
The DBX shares a lot of its switchgear with the rest of the Aston Martin family. The cabin is covered in attractively stitched leather, soft-touch surfaces, and a microsuede headliner. The ute comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, customizable ambient lighting, three-zone climate control, and heated front and rear seats. Desirable options include ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a variety of even fancier cabin materials. Rear-seat space is ample, with plenty of knee- and headroom for adults. There's a good amount of cargo volume, too, with 22 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 54 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
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