2022 Aston Martin DBX review

I scored the keys to Aston Martin’s first super SUV – the 2022 Aston Martin DBX. The British brand stormed the elite SUV segment at the end of 2020 with its very first attempt at a high-performance luxury SUV. 

The Aston Martin DBX joins a class that, while not incredibly saturated, is still full of competition from the big players. Lamborghini, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz and BMW all have a seat at the luxury SUV table, with Ferrari soon to join the fight. 

The first full year of sales proved to be a success for the Aston Martin DBX, not far from the Lamborghini Urus. However, with current stock issues and wait times, the brand has only managed to move 17 of its super SUVs to the end of April 2022. 

Keep in mind that there’s much anticipation for the upcoming DBX707 – a new edition that perhaps buyers could be holding out for. This might be an aid for sales going forward with the arrival slated for July in Australia.

The Aston Martin DBX starts at $356,512 plus on-road costs. My test model had a huge list of options and customisation features, including red brake callipers, ventilated seats front and rear, contemporary paint, sports exhaust upgrade, Aston Martin designer key, power tailgate with gesture control, smoked tail-lights, and the gloss exterior pack, to name a few. 

While the brand doesn't share the individual cost of each of these additions, all up this Aston Martin DBX is priced at $416,902 plus on-road costs.

Some features that come standard include 14-speaker Aston Martin premium audio, adaptive air suspension, LED interior ambient lighting, heated front and rear seats, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, 360-degree cameras, panoramic sunroof with manual blind, and wood grain trim. 

The Aston Martin DBX goes head-to-head with the Lamborghini Urus that starts at $391,968 before on-road costs. The most popular car in Lamborghini's current line-up, it’s not an easy one to beat. Not forgetting other mainstays of the class including the Mercedes-AMG GLS63 and Maybach GLS600 twins and Bentley Bentayga. 

Stylistically, the DBX is like nothing else on the road at the moment. Love it or hate it, it has a grand stance and loud features that make heads turn. 

You’ll see the inspiration from the Vantage in the rear with the distinct ducktail, while the front is classic Aston Martin with its large grille and badge – both the largest ever on an Aston. However, the LED headlights are unique, giving this SUV even more of a presence and a pop of personality.

This car gets the gloss-black package adding a more sporty element to its appearance. What’s more, it’s well proportioned, blending an iconic Aston look with its more practical form. 

Along with its striking appearance, there’s something else to love about this SUV – its craftsmanship. There are an array of elements that make this vehicle special, and it’s these kinds of intricacies that Aston Martin buyers appreciate. 

Take the iconic wings badgework, for example, which are handcrafted by Vaughtons – a jewellery manufacturer in Birmingham, London. It’s nearly a two-day process, whereby they are enamelled, hand-polished and finished in chrome. So, no, they are certainly not plastic like some other brands. 

These can be personalised as part of Aston Martin’s Q by Aston Martin, which is a bespoke offering to clients. The DBX also boasts various other notable touches, such as the leather in the cabin along with the dark-chrome finishes throughout. More about this shortly. 

For more details on the Aston Martin bespoke experience, you can click the video above this review. 

When I first opened the door to this SUV, not soft-closing unfortunately, all I can remember is the fragrance. That scent of fresh leather pouring through the cabin is simply divine and screams opulence. 

The leather in the DBX is pretty special, with an industry-first application of Caithness full-grain leather, which combines an 80 per cent natural wool blend and, fun fact, the lamb's wool is Australian. 

Plus, the leather is everywhere. This includes behind the steering wheel, which is a place you'd usually expect to find some nasty hard plastics. But not in this cabin. 

Not only does it smell sensational, but it feels it too. The seats are perfectly bolstered and undeniably comfortable. This particular DBX was finished in black leather with red stitching. 

You might notice some borrowed items from Mercedes-Benz in this SUV, and not just under the bonnet, but on the inside too. Features such as the rotary dial and indicator stalk are of Mercedes influence, but I’m not sure what I’d prefer – gears on the stalk or where they are in this car? 

In here you’ll find them on the dash. It was my first encounter with gear buttons positioned here, and let me tell you, it takes a lot of getting used to. The amount of times I moved my hand and looked down only to find… A rotary dial. 

This did make me a little flustered at times when undertaking quick manoeuvres. Imagine leaning over and pressing the wrong button. As I said, something you need to familiarise yourself with. 

Other unique details in here include the ‘jewellery like’ doorhandles in dark chrome. You’ll notice the same finish around the outside of the air vents and through the seats for some added flair. 

Storage-wise, it’s got more than enough up front including the big winner – a huge open compartment underneath the centre console, which is fit for a small bag. The door bins, centre storage compartment and glovebox are all well-sized, but the cupholders could be a little wider to suit larger bottles.

The passengers will no doubt enjoy any trip, as this Aston Martin was designed to provide equal space and comfort whether in front or rear. That I can attest to as the space in the back is enormous.

The leg and head room are vast and, as expected, it is exceptionally comfortable. Plus, you score the brightness from the standard panoramic sunroof. 

There are also vents in the centre and on the B-pillar, heated and ventilated seats (only the heating is standard), along with storage and two USB ports. 

The boot is just like the rest of the car – very generous in size. Accessible via a power tailgate or kick sensor, it offers 632L of cargo space and has a 40/20/40 folding seat configuration for added convenience. 

One nifty addition is the ability to adjust the rear for loading flexibility. The boot also features a full-size spare wheel, lights, and buttons to control the back seats. 

The 10.25-inch infotainment display works well; however, it isn’t touch-compatible. Even though it sits on a perfect angle and within perfect reach to warrant a touchscreen. 

You’ll have to opt for the rotary dial or steering wheel controls to access the display screen. It’s all intuitive and works well, but as we move into this era where so many devices are accessed via touch, it might take you a little longer to find components digging through an Apple CarPlay menu.  

All everyday functionalities such as navigation and Bluetooth connection work well, while the sound system gets a big tick of approval. There’s a spot for your phone in the large storage compartment under the centre console; however, don’t be fooled as this isn’t a wireless charge pad. 

Like most upper-echelon luxury vehicles, the Aston Martin DBX goes without an ANCAP or Euro NCAP safety rating, but offers plenty of features. 

It gets seven airbags, a 360-degree surround camera system with deploying rear camera, semi-automated park assist, automatic high beam, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, door exit warning, electric active roll control, limited-slip rear differential, and lane-keep assist. 

The lane-keep assist is one of my favourites as it’s far from intrusive, rather it dishes up these almost spray-like vibrations to let you know if you’re veering out of the lane. It’s just enough to alarm you without annoying beeps sounding through the cabin. 

The starting price of the Aston Martin DBX comes in under the Lamborghini Urus, but they are two different offerings. Stylistically, the Urus is far more aggressive and sporty, while the DBX is a sophisticated, classic British proposition that still possesses some sporty elements. 

If it’s not about style, then a deciding factor may even be their dynamic capabilities. While well-matched, the Urus has a slight edge over the DBX in its performance numbers. 

Then there are two other luxury options to consider that continue to succeed in this category. The Mercedes-Benz GLS can range in price from around $165,000 up to approximately $380,000 for the Maybach – it all depends on the spec.

Keeping things British, the Bentley Bentayga range covers a spread from just over $378,000 with a twin-turbo V8 to beyond $514,000 for the 12-cylinder Bentayga Speed, and promises a similar level of exclusivity as the DBX.

Whether it's price, a vehicle's dynamic proposition, or style, it’s difficult to make a call on whether the DBX represents better value in a class like this. Elements such as the design of an interior could be more appealing and therefore a deciding factor for some.  

What I will say is that the DBX offers something a little more eccentric with stylistic cues that still remain true to its pedigree. And while you’ll see the options quickly add up, this can be expected if you’re spending the big bucks for a luxury SUV. 

What’s more, with the ability to make your Aston Martin your very own, no two are ever the same, and that’s what a luxury buyer will no doubt appreciate. 

The DBX is the first Aston Martin I’ve piloted. It’s an absolute treat being behind the wheel of a British beast like this one.

I spoke about borrowed parts from Mercedes earlier, and one item they chose well to nab is the DBX's beating heart. As with other Aston Martin models, the DBX packs the familiar and blistering AMG 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine.

With a big engine comes big numbers – it’s good for 405kW and 700Nm. The best part is undoubtedly the soundtrack that greets you from the moment you fire up that engine.

This car’s power startles you. I continuously found myself unprepared on take-off with straight-line speed on offer straight out of the gate, while you can feel the power through each gear change from the nine-speed auto transmission.

Something else bespoke in the DBX is the steering system that has been tuned to deliver that real sports-car-like response. This SUV is weighty, yes, but that doesn’t mean its turning capabilities are compromised. Rather, it’s direct and stays level into corners for a heavier car, with the front end turning in willingly. 

My happy place quickly became Sport+ mode. Engaging this mode is when you really feel the potency from that engine and the exhaust note gets even more mighty. Other modes include GT and Sport, not forgetting that this car has off-road capabilities built into it too. 

Adaptive triple-volume air suspension has been combined with the latest 48-volt electric anti-roll control system (eARC) and electronic adaptive dampers. Personally, I would be reluctant to take my DBX off-road, but it’s good to know that these features are available. 

You can really feel the European side of this car's performance. While we aren’t cruising down the Autobahn and often adhering to 80km/h speed limits here in Australia, there isn’t a lot of opportunity to really tap into its dynamic capabilities. 

The gearing is long, so it was rare that I got into the higher rev range. Often the party would be over after getting it into third gear. Having said that, it has immense performance and is still dynamically rewarding.

Pulling away from traffic lights, heads turn. You never get sick of the grunt coming from that AMG V8. Additionally, that’s all you can hear on harsher roads, with no road noise impeding into the cabin and it manages to glide over bumps. 

In the way of fuel, Aston Martin claims 12.4L/100km. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for me. As I was driving enthusiastically and frequently in Sport+ mode, I returned a much higher reading of 18.2L/100km.  

So, yes, I had many trips to the bowser throughout the week. An expensive week and one thirsty beast.

In short, Aston Martin has done enough. Well, for me. I wouldn't have minded keeping the keys.

The DBX is a great first attempt at a super SUV. It’s dynamically rewarding, has plenty of prowess, and is packed with personality. Along with the drive, perhaps one of the things I appreciate most about this vehicle is Aston Martin's dedication to craftsmanship.

It's spacious, practical, and has that X-factor. But if you are looking for a super SUV with style and grunt carrying a cheaper price tag, then the Mercedes-AMG GLS63 could be the right SUV for you.

But for something unmissable, and brings a highly exclusive experience, it's the DBX all the way.