Within the ways in which mattered to lovers, the outgoing Aston Martin DBX707 received it proper. It was stronger than the discontinued base DBX, appeared higher with its sportier styling, and, crucially, drove higher. Nonetheless, nearly as good because the range-topping 707 was from an fanatic’s perspective, its comparatively outdated and cumbersome tech suite held it again. Doubly so, because it aimed to compete within the crowded tremendous SUV section.
In contrast to the remainder of the carmaker’s lineup, the $253,000 DBX707 doesn’t simply need to enchantment to lovers. It concurrently has to face as a luxurious merchandise constructed to serve a broader viewers primarily fascinated by driving one thing that appears good and feels costly. Nonetheless, a lot of that feeling of opulence comes from the mix of high-quality supplies and customization flexibility supplemented by the most recent tech.
As evidenced by latest updates launched for the Vantage and the DB12, Aston Martin isn’t ready for an all-new era of merchandise when it could rework its present lineup within the brief time period. That’s exactly the case with the refreshed Aston Martin DBX707. You gained’t discover any main exterior updates, with the entire carmaker’s concentrate on creating a brand-new inside and fine-tuning its dealing with dynamics. I flew to Sonoma, CA, to drive AM’s best-seller to see if it’s able to problem the section’s prime contenders.
Alongside the arrival of its up to date SUV, Aston Martin introduced the departure of the bottom DBX. In line with the carmaker, it observed that buyers gravitated in the direction of the edgier 707 regardless of a substantial value premium, making the “entry-level” mannequin superfluous. As such, it determined to discontinue it and focus all its improvement {dollars} on the better-selling mannequin.
Getting into my delightfully brilliant Synapse Orange tester, which pairs an equally colourful Californian Poppy inside, the updates to its cabin are instantly seen and felt. The dashboard’s structure is harking back to the DB12’s, incorporating a brand new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a ten.25-inch infotainment display screen operating AM’s wonderful proprietary software program. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are customary, and its working system is totally built-in with the carmaker’s cell app.
Sitting slightly below the central display screen is a row of bodily buttons controlling this SUV’s important capabilities, starting from local weather settings to suspension tuning and exhaust modes. Extra importantly, it provides finely completed metals for its knobs, scroll wheels, and equipment selector. All the pieces you routinely work together with seems like a luxurious merchandise, even all the way down to the sounds its varied controls produce. Its central drive mode selector, for one, rewards you with a satisfying click on as you progress by totally different drive modes.
By limiting plastic trim and changing it with intensive leather-based work, elective carbon panels, and an unlimited collection of veneers, the Aston Martin DBX707 constantly reinforces the sensation that you just’re in one thing particular. All the pieces seems and feels costly, and the mixing its new tech and supplies is faultless. Fairly than its cabin being one thing that must be neglected, it’s now central to this SUV’s enchantment.
In distinction, the adjustments to its exterior styling are comparatively minor. Up to date presenting door handles, sleeker door mirrors, new exterior finishes, and Aston Martin’s redesigned badges spherical out the numerous record of adjustments. There’s an argument to be made that the 707 didn’t want design updates in any respect. In any case, it’s probably the most distinct providing within the tremendous SUV area, carrying an aesthetic and, crucially, an understructure all its personal. The DBX’s sloping roofline, extensive stance, and aggressive bumpers stand out in a section characterised by widespread elements sharing.
Setting off within the Aston Martin DBX707 by NorCal’s winding mountain roads seems like a well-known expertise. Its snarling twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 produces a brawny and burbly exhaust observe whereas producing heaps of energy and torque, 697 hp and 664 lb-ft to be precise. These figures stay unchanged from the outgoing mannequin, as does the usage of a nine-speed wet-clutch automated and a rear-biased all-wheel drive system. As such, its 3.1-second time to 60 mph and its 193-mph prime velocity additionally carry over.
What’s new, then? Gaydon’s engineers centered solely on dialing within the 707’s dealing with. As thrilling because it was to drive on a twisting again highway, the outgoing mannequin, often whipping its rear finish out on nook exit, supplied thrills through its tendency to step out. Comparatively, its successor felt far more buttoned-down and centered. Its dampers for one higher dial-out physique roll, concurrently masking this SUV’s 4,940-pound curb weight.
Consequently, the Aston Martin DBX707 feels far more agile on the highway, with exact steering and a entrance finish keen to show in. Though its wheel continues to be not as communicative because the Cayenne Turbo GT’s, it’s fast sufficient to have enjoyable on a twisting again highway. Large 16.5 and 15.3-inch carbon ceramic brakes confidently sluggish this huge SUV whereas hiding behind customary 22-inch wheels. Nonetheless, a set of 23s is accessible as an elective additional.
The result’s a chassis that may higher use the highly effective engine lurking beneath its hood. As is typical of closely turbocharged V8s, it begins its assault with super low-end torque, which carries firmly to redline. Intently spaced gears hold you nicely throughout the powerband, making the DBX really feel responsive, desirous to blast out of a nook, and thus lighter than it’s.
Aston Martin’s concentrate on dialing in its suspension concurrently creates a extra important distinction between its drive modes. It ranges from being plush and quiet, with seamless gear adjustments and energy supply, to an SUV that’s agency, planted, and correctly rowdy. The result’s an SUV with a broader character vary, appropriate for lovers and those that simply need an opulent commuter.
The 2025 Aston Martin DBX707 begins at $253,000, together with a $4,000 transportation and dealing with price. My very orange tester, optioned with extras akin to a $11,900 Encourage Sport monotone inside, a $19,500 carbon fiber pack, and a $9,700 ache job, is available in at $351,300.
On the floor, updates to the refreshed Aston Martin DBX707 are comparatively minor. A redesigned cabin, dialed-in dealing with, and practically imperceptible exterior updates wouldn’t often have a major influence. Nonetheless, the carmaker was on a quest to make its best-seller correctly aggressive, not wholly re-engineer it. In any case, the range-topping DBX was all the time an awesome looker and a fair higher driver.
As an alternative what we get is a brilliant SUV that lastly feels full. Its cabin is world-class, outlined by its concentrate on small particulars. Its dealing with is assured on a again highway however plush sufficient for a each day commute, and its styling is each sporty and distinctive.
What Aston Martin finally ends up with is an SUV that isn’t only for the lovers however interesting sufficient to attract in a broader viewers and appeal to folks to the storied model. The refreshed 707 isn’t simply aggressive; it’s received what it takes to dethrone the section’s leaders.
