Aston Martin DBX review - Engines, performance and drive

​There’s no escaping from the fact that the Aston Martin DBX is a big, heavy SUV, so it’s fortunate to have had the expertise of one of the world’s best sports car makers to hone its development. Despite weighing over 2.2 tonnes, the DBX remains light on its feet and, in a hugely talented class, it feels more in keeping with a fast estate like an Audi RS 6 Avant or Mercedes-AMG E 63 – possibly even an RS 4 or C 63. It’s that nimble and agile for its size.

Aside from using the 4.0-litre V8 engine from Mercedes-AMG, the Aston Martin engineers have also equipped the DBX with a host of impressive tech trickery to ensure it cuts the mustard on tight, twisty roads. Features such as triple-chamber air suspension, electronic adaptive dampers and a 48v electric anti-roll control system (called eARC) are some of the reasons why the DBX triumphs over its rivals in the handling stakes.

There are six driving modes available for the DBX, although the Individual setting could well be the preferred option. Here, you can tune the chassis and steering to comfort, up the response from the engine and gearbox and have the exhaust on its most tuneful setting - just perfect.

The DBX’s steering is quick, with plenty of feel to help you recognise if you’ve pushed things too far. More important is the car’s ability to respond swiftly to throttle inputs, delivering a healthy and linear dose of power.

It’s impressive enough already, but in 2022, the DBX707 arrived to push this luxury SUV to the ultimate limit. It weighs the same, but several tweaks to the steering, suspension, aerodynamics and the V8 engine combine to produce a family-friendly car that’ll quite happily trouble several supercars. 

Perhaps the most surprising thing about the DBX707 is that it’s just as comfortable, spacious and surprisingly easy to live with as the standard car. However, fuel economy of under 20mpg isn’t exactly frugal.

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Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed

The DBX isn’t the quickest super-SUV in a straight line – its 4.0-litre V8 petrol unit produces 542bhp and manages 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds. It’s still a rapid sprint time, although not quite up to the 3.6-second dash set by the Lamborghini Urus. Top speed for the standard DBX is 181mph.

Not to be outdone by the Lamborghini Urus, the DBX707 has a shockwave-inducing 697bhp and 900Nm of torque on tap. All that power means 0-62mph is dealt with in just 3.3 seconds, and a top speed of 193mph.