2023 Aston Martin DBX
Overview
Don’t be fooled by its SUV body, 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.
What’s New for 2023?
For 2023, Aston finally adds a faster, more powerful model with the introduction of the DBX 707. It features a revised version of the otherwise standard twin-turbo V-8 that makes 697 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque. The standard nine-speed automatic with a conventional torque convertor also gets swapped out for a nine-speed unit with a wet-clutch pack. Those power figures represent increases of 155 and 147, respectively, versus the standard engine. The DBX 707 is said to go from zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and from zero to 100 mph in 7.4 seconds. Helping stop this speedy SUV is a set of standard carbon-ceramic brakes. Along with unique exterior elements, the inside of the DBX 707 includes an updated center console with a rotary gear selector. Shortcut buttons have also been added to the center stack, making it easier to adjust drive-mode settings.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
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.
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Engine, Transmission, and 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 DBX 707 was much quicker and hit 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. 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 and Real-World MPG
Per the EPA’s methodology, the regular DBX will earn 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. We 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, but when we do we will update this story with test results. For more information about the DBX’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
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.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
The large 10.2-inch infotainment screen—based on an aging Mercedes interface—doesn’t respond to touch inputs. Instead, you control the unit through the steering-wheel buttons as well as a rotary knob on the center console; an integrated touchpad is optional. The system includes popular features, such as Apple CarPlay integration, built-in navigation, a 14-speaker stereo, and several USB and 12-volt charging outlets.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The DBX is available with some driver-assistance technology, but the roster is surprisingly absent of expected content such as lane-keeping assist. For more information about the DBX’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features:
Standard front and rear parking sensors Standard 360-degree camera system Standard automatic high-beams
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Aston’s current warranty includes unremarkable limited and powertrain coverage. Buyers can pay more for extended plans that include some scheduled maintenance visits.
Limited warranty covers three years and unlimited miles Powertrain warranty covers three years and unlimited miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Aston Martin DBX 707
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $239,086/$292,186
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 243 in3, 3982 cm3
Power: 697 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 663 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 16.5-in vented, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc/15.4-in vented, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero A8A
F: 285/35ZR-23 (107Y) Extra Load
R: 325/30ZR-23 (109Y) Extra Load
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 120.5 in
Length: 198.4 in
Width: 78.7 in
Height: 66.1 in
Passenger Volume: 109 ft3
Cargo Volume: 22 ft3
Curb Weight: 5128 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.1 sec
100 mph: 7.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.5 sec @ 119 mph
130 mph: 14.2 sec
150 mph: 21.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.5 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.1 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 193 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 151 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 303 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.94 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 15 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 17/15/20 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
2021 Aston Martin DBX
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$195,586 (base price: $179,986)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
243 in3, 3982 cm3
Power
542 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
516 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 16.1-in vented, grooved disc/15.4-in vented, grooved disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4 PNCS, F: 285/40ZR22 (101Y) A8A R: 325/35ZR22 (114Y) A8A
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 120.5 in
Length: 198.4 in
Width: 78.7 in
Height: 66.1 in
Passenger volume: 109 ft3
Cargo volume: 22 ft3
Curb weight: 5128 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.9 sec
100 mph: 9.5 sec
150 mph: 25.6 sec
1/4 mile: 12.4 sec @ 114 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.7 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.4 sec
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 181 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 310 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.92 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 13 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 15/14/18 mpg
More Features and Specs
