2021 Aston Martin DBX Review

While most luxury brand SUVs are still emphasizing business steadiness, the emergence of the Aston Martin DBX directly injects the supercar gene into the high-end sports SUV market—after all, this is a 5-seat SUV bearing the "British Supercar Badge." With 550PS 4.0T V8 power, standard all-wheel drive, and Aston Martin's iconic design language, it's hard not to be curious: is it a supercar capable of off-roading, or an SUV that can go fast? This time, we got the 2021 DBX test drive model, and the core goal is to verify whether its "dual identity" truly holds up.

From a distance, the DBX looks like a miniature version of the Aston Martin GT sports car—the smooth fastback lines extend from the A-pillar to the rear, lacking the bulkiness typical of conventional SUVs. The front features the family-style large trapezoidal grille, paired with sharp LED daytime running lights on both sides, offering high recognizability; the four raised lines on the hood directly hint at the performance potential of its V8 engine. The side profile has a waistline running from the front fender through to the taillights, complemented by 22-inch large wheels (test car optional configuration), amplifying the sporty vibe. The rear design is relatively simple, with smoked LED taillights adopting the iconic horizontal "horizon" light bar, while the quad circular exhaust pipes further enhance the performance element. As for the lighting system, automatic headlights and daytime running lights are standard, with a high-end visual appeal when lit up at night.

Opening the door, the luxury of the interior is entirely consistent with Aston Martin's positioning. The dashboard uses large expanses of genuine leather, paired with aluminum trim and piano lacquer panels, with soft-touch materials everywhere within reach. A 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen center console dominate the tech layout, though the center screen's operation logic leans more traditional, avoiding excessive gimmicks and focusing more on practicality. The seat configuration is well-executed: the 12-way electrically adjustable front seats support heating, offering soft padding and strong support; though the rear seats lack electric adjustments, they can fold down in a 60:40 ratio to expand the trunk space, offering ample flexibility for daily use. For details, the 3-zone automatic air conditioning, keyless entry, and 14-speaker Sound Plus audio system all come standard, ensuring a thoughtful configuration for both front-row drivers and rear-row passengers.

In terms of space, the 5039mm length and 3060mm wheelbase provide a spacious rear legroom—the knees of a 175cm passenger sitting in the rear are still two fists away from the front seat. The trunk's standard capacity is 632L, expandable to 1530L when the rear seats are folded down, making it easy to accommodate two golf bags or large suitcases. Interior storage space is also sufficient: the front central armrest box can hold a phone and wallet, the door panel storage slots can fit bottled water, and there are mesh pockets behind the front seats for added convenience.

As for power, the 4.0T twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivers impressive specs: a maximum horsepower of 550PS and peak torque of 700Nm, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system. During actual driving, the strong low-end torque is immediately evident during the initial start—lightly pressing the accelerator allows for effortless overtaking. Switching to Sport+ mode makes the transmission's shifting logic more aggressive, with noticeably quicker downshifts, and flooring the accelerator delivers a thrilling push-back sensation akin to a supercar. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 4.5 seconds; in practical testing under sport mode, it achieves around 4.7 seconds. For a 2.2-ton SUV, this performance is already quite remarkable.

Handling performance is the highlight of the DBX. The steering wheel feels relatively heavy, with high precision and almost no play, making it drive more like a sports sedan rather than an SUV. The chassis uses adaptive air suspension. During daily driving (Normal mode), it can filter out most minor road bumps, offering good comfort; when switched to Sport mode, the suspension automatically lowers by 20mm, and body roll is very well controlled during cornering. Even in high-speed corners, the body remains very stable. The performance of the all-wheel-drive system is also highly intelligent. During normal driving, most of the power is distributed to the rear wheels (front/rear ratio of 40:60) to ensure the driving fun of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. On slippery roads, the system automatically adjusts power distribution to enhance grip.

In terms of fuel consumption, given the 4.0T V8 engine, the fuel consumption during daily city driving is approximately 15-17L/100km, and on highways, it can drop to 10-12L/100km. This level of fuel consumption meets expectations. Noise control is excellent; wind and tire noise are not significant during high-speed driving. The engine sound only enters the cabin when you press the accelerator deeply, and it’s the kind of rich V8 roar that doesn't feel noisy.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2021 Aston Martin DBX are clear: it combines supercar-level power and handling with the practicality and off-road capability of an SUV, making it a truly luxurious sports SUV that balances performance and daily usability. Compared to its counterpart, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, the DBX has a more unique brand image and offers more driving pleasure. When compared to the Bentley Bentayga, its sports performance is more outstanding, and it holds a price advantage as well (DBX starting price RM 818,000, Bentayga starting price about RM 1,200,000).

The target audience is clear: if you are a high-net-worth individual in pursuit of individuality and driving pleasure, require an SUV for daily commuting and family outings, and do not want to compromise on the performance experience of a supercar, then the DBX will be an excellent choice. It is neither a pure off-road SUV nor a supercar meant only for the track. Instead, it is a versatile luxury sports SUV that meets a variety of needs.

Overall, the 2021 Aston Martin DBX successfully integrates the genes of a supercar into the practicality of an SUV. Every detail about it communicates: luxury SUVs can also be sporty. If you're looking for a luxury vehicle that can "hide its strength" while still catering to family use, the DBX is definitely worth considering.