2025 Aston Martin DBX707 First Drive Review: Perfect Balance Attained

I was skeptical when Aston Martin announced it would build an SUV. In my mind, it was another historic marque tarnishing its brand image by pandering to what’s popular. But boy, was I wrong. Driving the original Aston Martin DBX made me realize the error of my ways, and then Aston blew me away once again by introducing the 707, a hardcore model that improved on the formula in every conceivable way… except for the technology.

In my last review of the Aston Martin DBX707, I claimed it was just a new infotainment system away from perfection. Well, for the 2025 model year, the DBX has been updated and now includes a much-improved touchscreen to replace the dated Mercedes-sourced control knob. Does this change and other small improvements now make the 2025 DBX707 a perfect SUV? DrivingOnRoad flew to Northern California to find out.

What’s New: Aston Enters The Modern Age

Very little has changed with the latest DBX exterior, which is completely fine with me. This was already a handsome SUV, so it didn’t need any major surgery. There are some small enhancements, including new motorized door handles that pop out when you unlock the vehicle. It’s a minor change that makes it less tedious to get into the DBX. The DBX also gets the gorgeous glass swivel mirrors that appear on the DB12 and new Vantage, as well as some bold new colors – Epsilon Black, Helios Yellow, Sprint Green, Malachite Green, Aura Green – and updated 22- and 23-inch wheels. Our tester wore an eye-searing shade of Synapse Orange which adds to the DBX’s dramatic appeal.

Aston paid greater attention to the interior, where the terrible Mercedes-based infotainment has been replaced by an all-new setup. It’s far from perfect, but the 10.12-inch touchscreen makes it far easier to access basic functions without being distracted. There’s also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to make the experience feel modern. Further improving the DBX’s modernity is a new 14-speaker base audio system with 800 watts or an available Bowers & Wilkins system with 23 speakers and 1,600 watts (up from 16 speakers and 800 watts in the previous model year).

Interior: Orange Cows

Aside from a few annoying touch-capacitive buttons for the heated and ventilated seats, the refreshed DBX707 keeps plenty of physical controls that we like for functions like volume, temperature, fan speed, and key drive-mode functions like the suspension and exhaust. Most functions are a button press away, which is greatly appreciated in a market where so many automakers are shying away from physical controls to save money.

The old push-button shifter is replaced by a small shift knob that’s reminiscent of the one used by Porsche. I much prefer this new setup to the old buttons, which often required a long reach. There’s also a rotating mode selector surrounding the stop/start button, which has one of the most tactile clicks I’ve ever experienced. This level of attention to detail is what helps justify the DBX’s high starting price.

When sitting inside the DBX, you can feel where the money is spent building this car. Every surface is lined with leather, metal, or other expensive materials. Aston must have found a herd of orange cows to make our tester’s interior, because nearly everything from the seats up to the headliner was wrapped in the bright color. This will likely be too much for some customers, but it shows the level of customization available on this bespoke SUV – demure and elegant shades are still available, which suit the brand a little better, I think.

Performance: Bye Bye, Base Engine

After announcing the 707, demand for the base DBX trailed off dramatically, so Aston decided 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 standard engine, propelling the DBX707 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and on to a 193-mph top speed. I only had time to record one 0-60 run, but the DBX managed an impressive 3.27-second time on a slight incline. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system provides smooth start/stops and helps keep the engine spooled up.

The DBX707 has some interesting competition, with the Lamborghini Urus S nipping at its heels, Ferrari’s Purosangue effectively trouncing it in terms of raw output – but it’s not quite as quick. The Bentayga now only comes with a V8 or hybrid setup since the potent W12-powered Speed variant was discontinued, and neither of the remaining powertrains are particularly potent – but it does offer supreme luxury. Even Audi’s impressive RS Q8 Performance is down on power and performance in comparison to the DBX707. The upcoming Lambo Urus SE will be the best performer of the lot, thanks to its plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Power in the DBX707 is routed to a standard all-wheel-drive system via a nine-speed multi-clutch transmission (MCT) that’s sourced from Mercedes-AMG. This gearbox uses a wet clutch in place of a torque converter, blending the best of both worlds of a traditional automatic and a dual-clutch. Aston Martin also made small improvements to the standard air suspension, improving ride comfort and control for spirited driving.

Driving Impressions: A Swiss Army Knife

There are plenty of fast SUVs on the market that compromise comfort in the pursuit of speed, but the DBX707 outclasses them by combining world-class luxury with a familiar Aston Martin driving experience. Aside from the ride height, there’s little giveaway that the DBX is an SUV; it feels like you could be driving a DB12. An anti-roll system controlled by the 48-volt mild-hybrid system uses the air suspension to keep the vehicle flat while cornering, making it feel more like a sedan. It also smooths out road imperfections, giving the DBX a near-perfect ride that doesn’t disturb its occupants.

Aston Made An SUV For The Driving Enthusiast

Aston’s steering remains extremely well calibrated, now with more assistance in the default GT setting and a greater ramp up in Sport and Sport+. Outside the Porsche Cayenne and Alfa Romeo Stelvio, it’s among the most precise steering you can get in an SUV. The DBX lives for corners; the all-wheel-drive system lets you kick out the rear without fear of spinning out and the German-sourced engine pulls it into the straights with great tenacity.

During normal driving, the twin-turbo V8 remains caged up, quiet, and dignified as it should be for luxury grand touring. However, Aston recalibrated the active valves in the exhaust to open earlier, giving the 707 a greater V8 rumble at a lower RPM in Sport and Sport+ mode. It’s a welcome change that improves what was already a great-sounding vehicle. At full throttle, the baffles open up even more, filling the cabin with an angry V8 chainsaw massacre symphony.

The Mercedes-sourced MCT acts brilliantly in automatic mode, but comes alive when set to its manual setting. Shifts are delivered crisply and on time with an appropriate crackle or burble from the exhaust. Launching the DBX707 in a lesson in physics, or more accurately, how to defy them. The V8 shoves the 707 with such brutal force, it’s hard to believe this is an SUV that can fit five people comfortably with room for suitcases.

Pricing & Verdict: Pay For Perfection

The 2025 DBX707 is a proper Aston Martin, meaning you shouldn’t expect to pay less for it just because it’s an SUV. Pricing starts at $249,000, putting the DBX707 in the same territory as the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. Despite being priced like a small house, vehicles like this are known for having exorbitant options; our tester came equipped with nearly six figures in add-ons, bringing the price to $351,300 (including $4,000 for transportation and handling).

A person who can afford an SUV like this typically doesn’t consider value, instead focusing on the intangible elements: how it will make them look and how it will make them feel. The DBX707 makes its owner and their passengers feel special. It elicits stares from onlookers, like an Aston should, cradles its occupants in luxury, and delivers a thrilling driving experience that’s befitting of its badge. Now that the infotainment has been sorted, it’s the perfect driver’s SUV.