Aston Martin Vantage 2024 Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's luxury GT market has become increasingly fierce, and consumers' demand for a balance of performance and comfort has become more apparent. As the entry-level GT model under Aston Martin, the 2024 Vantage retains the brand’s sporty DNA while re-entering the attention of customers through power upgrades and configuration optimizations. This test drive will focus on its actual driving performance, practicality in space, and configuration experience, providing a reference for potential buyers.

The exterior design of the 2024 Vantage continues the brand's iconic aesthetics, with a wide trapezoidal front grille complemented by horizontally blackened trim to enhance visual aggression. The side profile features smooth lines, while the waistline extending from the front fender to the rear merges with the fastback design, maintaining the elegance of a GT car. The new model comes with 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, with front and rear tire specifications of 275/35R21 and 325/30R21 respectively, improving grip performance. The rear end adopts a dual-sided quadruple circular exhaust layout, corresponding with the blacked-out LED taillights, giving it a high level of recognizability.

Inside the car, the T-shaped center console layout is wrapped in large areas of genuine leather paired with Alcantara materials, significantly enhancing the tactile experience. A 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and a 10.25-inch central control screen form a dual-screen design, featuring a simple and user-friendly interface, and supporting CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The seats are designed for sportiness with good lateral support, and come standard with electric adjustment and heating functions. In terms of storage space, the front central armrest box has a moderate capacity, the door panel storage compartments can accommodate two 500ml bottles of water, and the trunk has a regular capacity of 350L, sufficient for short trips.

In the power department, the new car is equipped with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, delivering a maximum power of 665PS and a peak torque of 800Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, when switched to Sport+ mode, throttle response is extremely sharp, with an official 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.5 seconds. The car delivers a strong push-back feeling during start-up, and mid-to-late acceleration remains robust. The gearbox offers clear shift logic and fast downshifts, meeting the needs of spirited driving.

In terms of handling, the steering of the Vantage is precise with minimal slack and offers direct responsiveness. The suspension system uses a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link structure, tuned towards sportiness. When passing over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the body vibration is well-suppressed, while providing adequate support during cornering. The braking system performs stably with no noticeable thermal attenuation after multiple consecutive brakes. The official combined fuel consumption is 12.1L/100km, with actual urban driving fuel consumption around 14-15L/100km, and highway conditions reducing it to approximately 9-10L/100km, in line with the fuel consumption levels of large-displacement GT cars.

In daily driving, the vehicle’s noise control performs well, with wind and tire noise effectively suppressed during high-speed driving. The seat cushioning provides excellent support, making long rides less tiring. The energy recovery system (not available in fuel vehicles) was mentioned, but the gearbox does occasionally exhibit slight shifts at low speeds, which affects the overall comfort experience to some extent.

To summarize, the core advantages of the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage lie in its strong power performance, precise handling, and high brand recognition. Compared to the same-class Porsche 911 Carrera S, the Vantage excels in power specifications, offers a comparable level of features, and is slightly lower in price, providing better value for money. It is suitable for young consumers who value driving pleasure and pursue brand appeal, or individuals who need to balance daily commuting with weekend short trips. For buyers with ample budgets and a passion for sporty GT models, the Vantage is a worthy option to consider.