2021 Aston Martin DBX Review

The DBX is powered by an updated version of the Mercedes-sourced turbocharged V8 that's in the Vantage and DB11 supercars. The engine produces 542 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque and can blast the DBX from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.3 seconds. A nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.

As you might expect of any vehicle with more than 500 hp, acceleration is explosive. Even in the standard GT mode, the DBX loves to pull away quickly from a stop; you'll have to be judicious with the gas pedal if you want to build speed without pinning your passengers to their seatbacks. Overtaking slower vehicles requires no planning ahead — simply goose the throttle and enjoy the aural bliss of the exhaust barking and cracking as you effortlessly rocket to extralegal speeds.

Though it has a claimed weight of nearly 5,000 pounds, the DBX feels extraordinarily sharp in turns. The combination of an adaptive air suspension, active stabilizer bars and grippy summer tires allows it to corner flat at high speeds. Aston clearly put in the work to extract a sports car-like driving experience for this luxury SUV.

That adaptive air suspension works wonders to filter out road imperfections too. That's true even with the big 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires that would potentially spell ruin on a lesser ute. On most surfaces, the DBX feels just as comfortable as any normal luxury SUV — an impressive feat given the Aston's awesome performance potential.

The DBX is not without fault, however. Ruts and washboard roads introduce a fair amount of vibration into the cabin. And hitting a moderate-size midcorner bump produces a forceful impact, though it must be said the steering wheel doesn't jolt, and the rear and front don't try to swap ends.

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. Its optional extras come in the form of a deep customization program that allows buyers to tailor this Aston to their exact specification.

My test DBX had a handsome-looking gloss flax veneer on the center console ($2,300) and doors ($4,600). I also liked the faux suede headliner ($2,300) color-matched to the Oxford Tan interior ($3,400). That's more than $12,000 in options, and that's before any matching carpet or contrast-color stitching. It all looks and feels appropriately luxurious, indicating the price these options command could be considered well spent.

Once you get over the stunning impression the DBX's cabin makes, you start to appreciate how usable and livable it is. At 6-foot-4, I had plenty of legroom and headroom up front, and the driver's seat remained comfortable after hours of driving. The back seat is equally as enticing, and even though the backrest angle isn't adjustable, it's set in an enjoyable position. I was able to sit behind the front seat set to my preferred position and still had space to stretch. Unlike some other high-performance SUVs (I'm looking at you, Lamborghini Urus), the greenhouse is expansive and easy to see out of.

All that said, the DBX does have a few interior quirks. The toggle switch on the driver's seat allows you to switch between lumbar, thigh bolster and side bolster adjustment. However, there's no menu on the instrument panel or central display screen to let you know what you're actually toggling between. You just move the toggle up or down, hope you selected the correct seat adjustment, and start futzing with the four-way button controller to see how it all pans out. I'm also not a fan of the infotainment controller setup, which I'll cover below. Overall, however, the DBX's cabin is thoughtfully designed and beautifully executed.

A configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument panel sits behind the steering wheel, though the true focal point in the front is the 10.25-inch display screen in the center stack. As with the engine, the infotainment system is sourced from Daimler AG, but it isn't the MBUX interface that you'll find in the latest Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

As evidenced by the combination wheel/touchpad controller, this is actually Mercedes' previous-generation COMAND system, albeit with an MBUX-like user interface overlaid on top. The system is a little dated and slow, and navigating through the menus requires a lot of concentration. Certain menus — such as audio level adjustment — were difficult to find. It's better than Aston's previous infotainment system, but that's not saying much.

When it comes to advanced driving aids, the DBX comes standard with pretty much everything. Forward collision mitigation, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control are all included, with an automated parking system the only notable driving aid on the options list. You won't find any cutting-edge tech like a night vision display or hands-free steering, but the DBX prioritizes driver engagement and involvement over electronic wizardry.