Many occasions we check high-powered crossovers however view them by the identical lens as their performance-oriented siblings. Is that this a Mustang? Is that this a Porsche? Is it worthy? The checklist of crossovers subjected to navel-gazing and hand-wringing is lengthy. Somewhat than fretting over the badge or the form, it’s useful to easily choose these autos on their deserves. In any case, the 2021 Aston Martin DBX was created as a result of crossovers are important, not as a result of Aston ran out of sports-car concepts.
The DBX is the primary and assuredly not the final crossover in Aston Martin’s 108-year historical past that’s full of glittering sports activities vehicles and monetary unease. The latter is the explanation the DBX exists, in order to permit for the previous to proceed to endure. Put one other means: It’s 2021. Ya gotta have a crossover, and it wants to have the ability to do stuff.
The final time I reviewed an Aston, the DB11, I piloted it by the sun-drenched Tuscan countryside at excessive speeds. 5 years later I discover myself measuring one other Aston below vastly completely different circumstances on vastly completely different deserves. That’s truly good.
The DBX is a crossover that may run, however my first order of enterprise is strapping my son’s rear-facing automotive seat within the again. It suits fairly properly, and even with him proper behind the motive force’s seat, I nonetheless had a good quantity of room. Regardless of the dramatic roofline, I used to be in a position to get him out and in of the DBX with affordable consolation. A minivan with sliding doorways and a low trip peak is less complicated, however the Aston is about as match for toddler obligation as any coupe-styled crossover might be. My son’s response? He cherished the blue leather-based with its white stitching and famous the automotive “yelled.” That’s what an AMG-built turbo V8 feels like, son.
The DBX’s cabin is value our check automotive’s practically $211,000 sticker. It’s fascinating and classy, reasonably than decadent. The all-Aurora blue leather-based seems and feels costly. The ocean of blue is damaged up by a camel-colored Alcantara headliner, the ivory seatbelts and a lightweight olive aspen overlay that accents the middle console. The contrasting white stitching is refined however intricate on the seats and door panels, and the seatbacks and enormous steering wheel proudly show the Aston badge. There’s no shifter, however the paddles are massive and straightforward to make use of, returning a satisfying clack. To pick park, drive, impartial or reverse, there’s buttons set throughout the highest of the sprint, which opens up the console and ties the DBX aesthetically to the cabins of most twenty first century Aston Martins. So too does the glass start-stop button centered proper in the course of the sprint.
Aesthetically, the DBX is probably the very best instance of a model translating its sporting custom to a crossover. Slender your imaginative and prescient to the grille, hood and headlights: that’s an Aston straight out of central casting. The DBX wins factors, nevertheless, for finishing the look. There’s loads of crossovers that look sporty from the A-pillar ahead, however the DBX continues that vibe proper by the taillights. Observe the beltline that rises then falls by the rear quarter panel and the Vantage-inspired flip within the again. Aston actually sticks the touchdown — which isn’t simple to do with crossover designs — ending cleanly and with flourish. There’s additionally frameless doorways, 22-inch gloss graphite wheels, hood blades, hockey stick-shaped contours and vents built-in into the entrance quarters. It’s not one factor; all the design components make the DBX naturally really feel like an Aston. Ask Porsche if it’s simple to make a crossover that’s instantly accepted — regardless of how enticing and highly effective it’s.
Sure, the DBX is alluring and the ability plentiful. Sourced from Mercedes-AMG, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is rated at 542 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It hits 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and feels each bit that fast. The nine-speed computerized transmission shifts shortly when wanted, and likewise will maintain second and third gear virtually surprisingly lengthy throughout aggressive acceleration. The tuning reinforces the texture of a sports activities automotive, and remember that this V8 is used within the DB11 and Vantage. There are a number of driving modes. I spent a number of time in “GT,” which is an affordable mix of consolation and functionality, although dialing up “Sport” on the expressway was logical and deepened the tenor of the exhaust word. I used “Sport+” and “Terrain” sparingly, as there wasn’t a lot name for them. Not like my DB11 drive, I didn’t push the bounds of the DBX typically. I ran errands, picked up groceries (eight luggage match within the rear), grabbed take out and used it like a crossover. Canine present up in loads of the DBX’s advertising supplies, however I resisted the urge to place my golden retriever in again, although Aston affords an optionally available pet pack full with a leash and bowls.
The DBX is a midsize crossover that handles properly. The brakes are direct and return fast stopping, whereas the steering is gentle but direct. It looks like a sporty crossover constructed by Aston Martin, in Wales, because the kickplates learn.
My tester began at $179,986 and with a number of choices, together with the Class and Indulgence packs, got here in at $210,986. There’s no level in debating worth or obsessing over which choices are literally value it. You both have the cash to purchase an Aston Martin otherwise you don’t, and for those who do, you’ll in all probability get a number of choices. That stated, there are sensible implications at play. The DBX does stay as much as its mission as an genuine Aston Martin and a usable crossover. However, an affordable particular person of means might logically conclude {that a} equally sized BMW or Mercedes crossover at one third of this value will do the household hauling simply as properly, after which nonetheless park a DB11 or Vantage within the driveway alongside it. Or get a G-Class, Vary Rover or completely loaded Cadillac Escalade, and then you definately’re getting an precise sport utility automobile to enrich your Bond automotive.
It’s loads to consider and this isn’t a singular argument to Aston Martin. The Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga face comparable challenges; as will Ferrari’s upcoming SUV. Ultimately, Aston needed to get on ‘the menu’’ so to talk for purveyors of luxurious who want the model however don’t need or want a sports activities automotive. That’s the brilliance of the DBX. Patrons can take a look at it with no data of Aston’s historical past and determine the DBX is what they need, reasonably than a sports activities automotive they’re ill-equipped to function. They need the badge and they should haul the youngsters and golden retriever. They’re prepared to pay for it. What they get in return is genuine. It’s an Aston Martin and a crossover, elegantly fulfilling its duties as each require.
