Aston Martin DBX review

The real question is whether it is any good. And within its class it is. Very good indeed, in fact. I know some reading this will hate its look but I think it’s the best looking big SUV out there. Others will lament it needs a Mercedes engine, but they might not if they heard its thunder and felt its thrust. It is a superb powertrain for this car. And though I don’t think it needs it, power junkies will be pleased to know there’s more to come.

Nevertheless, it must play second fiddle to quite the best chassis I’ve encountered on this kind of car. The DBX handles almost bizarrely well for something so high and heavy. It is neutral, linear, accurate and more than merely competent, it’s genuinely engaging to drive fast. Yet its ride quality remains among the best too thanks to deftly tuned triple-chamber air springs and 48-volt anti-roll control.

But the DBX does have some serious flaws. The interior is uncommonly spacious, but the operating system is too obviously last-generation Benz so even if you spent plenty on upgrading your leather and accessorising, the dash will always let down the look of the cabin. And it won’t tow more than 2700kg, while most rivals will do the full 3500kg. Nor is there a hybrid version, which will unquestionably hurt it in the marketplace.

It was never going to be perfect was it? More importantly for an Aston Martin that will never sell in Cayenne quantities, it had to look right, perform properly and drive in such a way as to carry those wings on its nose with conviction. And to me at least it does all those things. The simple truth is there’s no other car of this kind I’d rather look at or which I’d enjoy driving more. For Aston Martin that much surely count as job done.

Aston Martin DBX

Engine: 3982cc, V8, twin-turbo
Transmission: 9-speed auto, 4WD
Power: 542bhp @ 6500rpm
Torque: 516lb ft @ 2200rpm
Weight: 2245kg

Power-to-weight ratio: 241bhp/tonne
0-62mph: 4.5 seconds
Top speed: 181mph
Price: £158,000

Ti rating: 8/10