2019 Aston Martin Vantage Review

The Vantage nameplate has a history that stretches back nearly seven decades. Early on, it denoted high-performance versions of certain models; it wasn't until the 1970s that the Vantage badge became a model in its own right. Since then, the Vantage has become Aston Martin's best-selling model ever.

Now we have the redesigned 2019 Aston Martin Vantage. Sharper, more aggressive and much more expensive than its predecessor, the latest Vantage promises to thrill and engage like no Vantage before it. Technology helps — it comes standard with variable dampers and is the first Aston Martin offered with an electronically controlled differential, which can influence handling even as it facilitates traction. Inside, the Mercedes-Benz-sourced infotainment system is a big leap forward from what Aston Martin had used.

Aston also partnered with Mercedes to come up with the new Vantage's engine. Under the hood is a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that's closely related to the one in Mercedes' AMG GT, a car with which the Vantage competes head-on. The realities of modern automaking make for strange bedfellows, but we won't complain about the results. The new engine cranks out a stout 503 horsepower and 505 pound-feet of torque.

The new Vantage also sees the automaker actively embracing a younger demographic. It's available in some vivid paint hues, some of which are downright eyeball-searing. It's all edges and creases and aggression, though the overall impact is positively striking. A staid, reserved Aston Martin this new Vantage is not. If the Acura NSX seems too tech-focused for you and the Porsche 911 is too familiar, this new Aston could be ideal.