2025 Aston Martin DBX707 First Drive Review: Better Than The Best

I used to be skeptical when Aston Martin introduced it might construct an SUV. In my thoughts, it was one other historic marque tarnishing its model picture by pandering to what’s common. However boy, was I unsuitable. Driving the unique Aston Martin DBX made me notice the error of my methods, after which Aston blew me away as soon as once more by introducing the 707, a hardcore mannequin that improved on the method in each conceivable means… aside from the expertise.

In my final overview of the Aston Martin DBX707, I claimed it was only a new infotainment system away from perfection. Properly, for the 2025 mannequin yr, the DBX has been up to date and now features a much-improved touchscreen to exchange the dated Mercedes-sourced management knob. Does this transformation and different small enhancements now make the 2025 DBX707 an ideal SUV? CarBuzz flew to Northern California to search out out.

What’s New: Aston Enters The Fashionable Age

Little or no has modified with the newest DBX exterior, which is totally wonderful with me. This was already a good-looking SUV, so it didn’t want any main surgical procedure. There are some small enhancements, together with new motorized door handles that come out while you unlock the automobile. It is a minor change that makes it much less tedious to get into the DBX. The DBX additionally will get the attractive glass swivel mirrors that seem on the DB12 and new Vantage, in addition to some daring new colours – Epsilon Black, Helios Yellow, Dash Inexperienced, Malachite Inexperienced, Aura Inexperienced – and up to date 22- and 23-inch wheels. Our tester wore an eye-searing shade of Synapse Orange which provides to the DBX’s dramatic enchantment.

Aston paid higher consideration to the inside, the place the horrible Mercedes-based infotainment has been changed by an all-new setup. It’s miles from excellent, however the 10.12-inch touchscreen makes it far simpler to entry primary features with out being distracted. There’s additionally wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to make the expertise really feel fashionable. Additional bettering the DBX’s modernity is a brand new 14-speaker base audio system with 800 watts or an out there Bowers & Wilkins system with 23 audio system and 1,600 watts (up from 16 audio system and 800 watts within the earlier mannequin yr).

Inside: Orange Cows

Except for a couple of annoying touch-capacitive buttons for the heated and ventilated seats, the refreshed DBX707 retains loads of bodily controls that we like for features like quantity, temperature, fan velocity, and key drive-mode features just like the suspension and exhaust. Most features are a button press away, which is vastly appreciated in a market the place so many automakers are shying away from bodily controls to save cash.

The outdated push-button shifter is changed by a small shift knob that’s paying homage to the one utilized by Porsche. I a lot want this new setup to the outdated buttons, which regularly required a protracted attain. There’s additionally a rotating mode selector surrounding the cease/begin button, which has one of the crucial tactile clicks I’ve ever skilled. This stage of consideration to element is what helps justify the DBX’s excessive beginning worth.

When sitting contained in the DBX, you may really feel the place the cash is spent constructing this automotive. Each floor is lined with leather-based, steel, or different costly supplies. Aston should have discovered a herd of orange cows to make our tester’s inside, as a result of almost all the things from the seats as much as the headliner was wrapped within the vibrant shade. This can probably be an excessive amount of for some clients, nevertheless it reveals the extent of customization out there on this bespoke SUV – demure and chic shades are nonetheless out there, which go well with the model just a little higher, I believe.

Efficiency: Bye Bye, Base Engine

After saying the 707, demand for the bottom DBX trailed off dramatically, so Aston determined to drop it from the lineup. A 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 697 horsepower (707 metric hp) and 663 lb-ft of torque now acts as the usual engine, propelling the DBX707 to 60 mph in simply 3.1 seconds and on to a 193-mph prime velocity. I solely had time to document one 0-60 run, however the DBX managed a formidable 3.27-second time on a slight incline. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system offers easy begin/stops and helps hold the engine spooled up.

The DBX707 has some attention-grabbing competitors, with the Lamborghini Urus S nipping at its heels, Ferrari’s Purosangue successfully trouncing it by way of uncooked output – nevertheless it’s not fairly as fast. The Bentayga now solely comes with a V8 or hybrid setup for the reason that potent W12-powered Pace variant was discontinued, and neither of the remaining powertrains are notably potent – nevertheless it does provide supreme luxurious. Even Audi’s spectacular RS Q8 Efficiency is down on energy and efficiency compared to the DBX707. The upcoming Lambo Urus SE would be the finest performer of the lot, due to its plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Energy within the DBX707 is routed to a normal all-wheel-drive system by way of a nine-speed multi-clutch transmission (MCT) that’s sourced from Mercedes-AMG. This gearbox makes use of a moist clutch instead of a torque converter, mixing the perfect of each worlds of a standard automated and a dual-clutch. Aston Martin additionally made small enhancements to the usual air suspension, bettering experience consolation and management for spirited driving.

Driving Impressions: A Swiss Military Knife

There are many quick SUVs available on the market that compromise consolation within the pursuit of velocity, however the DBX707 outclasses them by combining world-class luxurious with a well-recognized Aston Martin driving expertise. Except for the experience top, there’s little giveaway that the DBX is an SUV; it appears like you can be driving a DB12. An anti-roll system managed by the 48-volt mild-hybrid system makes use of the air suspension to maintain the automobile flat whereas cornering, making it really feel extra like a sedan. It additionally smooths out street imperfections, giving the DBX a near-perfect experience that does not disturb its occupants.

Aston Made An SUV For The Driving Fanatic

Aston’s steering stays extraordinarily nicely calibrated, now with extra help within the default GT setting and a higher ramp up in Sport and Sport+. Exterior the Porsche Cayenne and Alfa Romeo Stelvio, it is among the many most exact steering you will get in an SUV. The DBX lives for corners; the all-wheel-drive system allows you to kick out the rear with out worry of spinning out and the German-sourced engine pulls it into the straights with nice tenacity.

Throughout regular driving, the twin-turbo V8 stays caged up, quiet, and dignified accurately for luxurious grand touring. Nonetheless, Aston recalibrated the lively valves within the exhaust to open earlier, giving the 707 a higher V8 rumble at a decrease RPM in Sport and Sport+ mode. It is a welcome change that improves what was already a great-sounding automobile. At full throttle, the baffles open up much more, filling the cabin with an indignant V8 chainsaw bloodbath symphony.

The Mercedes-sourced MCT acts brilliantly in automated mode, however comes alive when set to its handbook setting. Shifts are delivered crisply and on time with an applicable crackle or burble from the exhaust. Launching the DBX707 in a lesson in physics, or extra precisely, learn how to defy them. The V8 shoves the 707 with such brutal drive, it is laborious to consider that is an SUV that may match 5 folks comfortably with room for suitcases.

Pricing & Verdict: Pay For Perfection

The 2025 DBX707 is a correct Aston Martin, which means you should not count on to pay much less for it simply because it is an SUV. Pricing begins at $249,000, placing the DBX707 in the identical territory because the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. Regardless of being priced like a small home, automobiles like this are identified for having exorbitant choices; our tester got here outfitted with almost six figures in add-ons, bringing the worth to $351,300 (together with $4,000 for transportation and dealing with).

An individual who can afford an SUV like this sometimes would not take into account worth, as a substitute specializing in the intangible components: the way it will make them look and the way it will make them really feel. The DBX707 makes its proprietor and their passengers really feel particular. It elicits stares from onlookers, like an Aston ought to, cradles its occupants in luxurious, and delivers an exhilarating driving expertise that is befitting of its badge. Now that the infotainment has been sorted, it is the right driver’s SUV.