2024 Aston Martin Vantage Review

As the demand in Malaysia's luxury sports tourer market gradually shifts toward "a balance of performance and comfort," the Grand Tourer (GT) segment has been steadily gaining attention over the past two years. Consumers are no longer merely satisfied with brand premium but place greater emphasis on the direct experience of power output and practicality for daily use. The 2024 Aston Martin Vantage, as a mid-cycle facelift of the brand's classic GT model, has upgraded its maximum horsepower to 665PS and now offers a maximum torque of 800N·m, achieving a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds. These performance specifications are quite impressive among GT models in the same class. To verify whether this car can simultaneously meet the dual needs of "passionate driving" and "long-distance comfort," we conducted a static experience evaluation and dynamic testing.

In the static experience segment, the 2024 Vantage's exterior design continues the brand's iconic sporty and elegant style, but adjustments in the details further enhance its distinctiveness. The front fascia still adopts a large-sized blacked-out grille, paired with sharp LED headlight clusters on both sides, delivering a more powerful visual impact than the previous model; the two newly added raised lines on the hood stretch from the A-pillar to the front grille, adding more muscle. The side of the car maintains its sleek GT fastback silhouette, and the 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels paired with front 275/35R21 and rear 325/30R21 wide tires enhance grip while making the side proportions more harmonious. At the rear, the quad round exhaust layout is a classic design from Aston Martin, complemented by blacked-out LED taillights, achieving a style that is both sporty and luxurious.

Inside the cabin, the sense of luxury and technology has noticeably improved compared to the previous model. The center console is wrapped in a large area of soft leather with silver metallic trim accents, offering a delicate tactile experience. The seats feature a sporty bucket design with strong support and soft padding, balancing support and comfort. The central area is equipped with a 10.25-inch touch screen, featuring a clean and smooth interface that supports CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity; below it are some retained physical buttons for convenient operation while driving. The instrument panel is also a 10.25-inch fully digital display, offering multiple display modes, including a performance mode with a rev-priority layout. In terms of storage, the front center armrest storage box and door panel storage compartments have decent capacity, and the trunk offers a volume of 350L, sufficient to accommodate two 20-inch suitcases for short trips.

During the dynamic test, the performance of the 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine on this Vantage left a strong impression. In normal mode, the power output is linear and smooth, with no abrupt lurch at startup, making it suitable for daily city driving. Switching to Sports+ mode results in noticeably faster throttle response, and upon deep acceleration, the 800N·m torque bursts instantly, with a pushing force that remains uninterrupted even up to 120km/h. Swift overtaking maneuvers require only a light press on the accelerator. The 8-speed automatic transmission features clear shifting logic. In normal mode, the shifts are smooth, and in sports mode, the shifting speed significantly increases, with nearly imperceptible shift gaps.

In terms of handling performance, the chassis tuning of the Vantage leans towards sportiness, but without sacrificing comfort. The steering is precise with minimal play, offering clear responsiveness and providing the driver with ample confidence when cornering. The suspension system adopts front double wishbones and rear multi-link independent suspension, which can filter out most minor bumps during daily driving. When passing over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension rebounds quickly but not harshly, ensuring rear passengers do not feel significant jolts. At high speeds, the vehicle demonstrates excellent stability, with no floating sensation even at speeds exceeding 180 km/h.

Regarding fuel consumption, during our test in mixed road conditions (60% urban roads, 40% highways), the average fuel consumption was 13.2L/100km, slightly higher than the officially stated 12.1L/100km. This is primarily due to frequent starts and accelerations in urban traffic increasing fuel usage. On highways, fuel consumption was approximately 9.5L/100km, which matches expectations. As for noise control, the cabin provides excellent sound insulation. While driving at high speeds, wind and tire noise are not noticeable; only when pressing the accelerator firmly will the exhaust sound enter the cabin, enhancing the sense of sportiness.

Overall, the main advantage of the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage lies in its "balance of performance and comfort." The 665PS power output positions it as a leader among GT models in its class, while the luxurious interior and comfortable suspension also cater to daily use. Compared to the Porsche 911 Carrera S in the same segment, the Vantage holds a clear advantage in terms of power output while being relatively more affordable (RM 2,370,000 vs RM 2,500,000+ for the 911 Carrera S), offering better value for money. Compared to the Mercedes-AMG GT, the Vantage’s brand positioning leans towards elegance, with an even more luxurious interior.

The target consumer groups for this car primarily include two types: firstly, luxury car users seeking "daily comfort with occasional excitement," meeting both urban commuting needs and weekend driving pleasures; secondly, young entrepreneurs who value brand positioning and performance balance, as the vehicle’s elegant design and powerful performance can cater to both business and personal needs.

In summary, the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage is a GT model with "no significant shortcomings." It preserves the brand’s classic design and luxurious texture while providing upgraded performance to meet consumers’ needs. It is a worthy choice in the luxury GT market segment.