Overview
The first foray into SUV territory of the legendary British sports-car maker is marked by the 2021 Aston Martin DBX—and its concomitant entry into high-end family transportation. The company renowned for delivering James Bond with his wheels now aspires to capitalize on the largely popular crossover market that has already enticed paradigmatic rivals, for instance, Lamborghini with its wild Urus SUV. Although the DBX lacks the Lambo’s congenial styling, it supplies its own label of beauty with the same vigour and grace that Aston Martin is famous for. In addition, the 2021 DBX can be taken off-road and tow heavy loads, which is likely to expect of ultra-expensive luxury crossovers.
New for the all-new DBX 2021
Aston’s first SUV, the DBX is brand-new for 2021. Word is around that a three-row variant could join the line-up next year, with a performance AMR model with more aggressive suspension and power tuning.
Pricing and Buying Recommendations
DBX – $192,986
An impressive number of personalization options are offered by the company for the DBX, especially through its Q customization service. The online configurator of Aston Martin has a number of assorted themes quite similar to appearance packages, but with a better sense of singularity, including names such as Malibu Opera and Capri Machine. The Bohemian Escape is a good pick, considering its beautiful colour options that are said to be motivated by the British countryside, such as the default Minotaur Green paint, or the 22-inch black-and-bronze Ribbon wheels. The Indulgence package, brings heated and ventilated front-seat cushions, coupled with additional front-seat adjustments, and rear windows with acoustic privacy glass.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The DBX is motorized by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine furnished by Mercedes-AMG. The engine yields 542 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, also supplied by Mercedes. While the DBX is essentially a rear-wheel drive, a centre transfer case transmits torque to the front axle when slippage is observed at the rear, and there is also a limited-slip rear differential, with adaptive dampers and standard air springs. The chassis flaunts a wide range of demeanours, courtesy a diverse set of drive modes, ranging from refined, relaxed to responsive and agile. Not just a looker, DBX can tow 5940 pounds and can actually venture off-road with its pliable ride height and descent-control features.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
A lot of its switchgear of the DBX is shared with the rest of the Aston Martin family, with its cabin wrapped in appealingly stitched leather, soft-touch surfaces, and a micro-suede headliner. The standard DBX comes with a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster, three-zone climate control, customizable ambient lighting, and heated front and rear seats. The top options consist of a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and an assortment of even fancier cabin materials. The rear-seat space is ample, enough to accommodate knee and headroom for adult occupants. The cargo space, too, seems decent, with 22 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 54 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Infotainment and Connectivity
While every DBX model comes with a large 10.2-inch infotainment screen, it does not respond to touch inputs. The unit, instead, is modelled looking at an obsolete Mercedes interface, and is regulated through steering-wheel controls and a rotary knob on the centre console, with an optional integrated touchpad. However, popular features such as Apple CarPlay, a 14-speaker audio system, built-in navigation, and multiple USB and 12-volt charging outlets are not included in the Aston Martin DBX.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2021 DBX is yet to be crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Despite the Aston being available with some driver-assistance technology, the roster is astonishingly absent of content such as lane-keeping assist. The key safety features of the car are as follows:
- Standard front and rear parking sensors
- Standard 360-degree camera system
- Standard automated high-beams
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The current warranty of the Aston Martin DBXcomprisesmediocre limited and powertrain coverage. Longer periods as well as complimentary scheduled maintenance plans are available at extra costs.
- The limited warranty covers three years or unlimited miles
- Powertrain warranty covers three years or unlimited miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Aston Martin DBX in a Nutshell
- Highs: A remarkable Aston Martin design, with an exciting driving experience, as well as towing abilities and going off-road.
- Lows: Twin-turbo V-8 warrants more power, and the popular driver assists are missing, with the outdated infotainment system.
- Verdict: The DBX gives Aston Martin a gorgeous and intriguing crossover that will undoubtedly help it draw a larger audience.