DBX Media Launch and First Deliveries
Discussion
There were no discussions about the DB11 leaving… I’m too smitten with it.
Some caveats before I bore you with first impressions of the DBX. The demonstrator was on the all season Scorpion Zero tyres, and had the standard exhaust system, and I didn’t have a lot of time to tinker with the individual driving mode.
Overall, I was left a bit gobsmacked – I’d heard good things about the dynamics, but there was a chunk of things I learnt in the brief time I was driving it.
Performance wise, no concerns – a 2245kg car has no right to pick up her skirt and cover ground so quickly. The surprising thing, was how well damped it was. I only tried two driving modes; GT and Sport+. Unlike the sports cars, DBX drive modes control all aspects of the car unless you choose individual (where you can opt for a harder drivetrain but softer damping etc). In GT mode, you can cruise around on a fluffy cloud, it just rides effortlessly but doesn’t feel distant or wallow around.
Sport+, despite it being the most focused drive mode, doesn’t negatively affect the ride comfort. I’d say in Sport+ it was no less comfortably riding than a DB11 in GT mode. The clever bit is the 48V tech that stiffens the roll bars, so it simply doesn’t pitch and yaw as you might expect. I should add, I didn’t try the ride height settings. There’s manual adjustment up and down, but It stays at ‘zero’ unless in Sport+ at above…legal speeds, at which point it drops down in height. In simple terms, it handles like a taller DB11 – it’s embarrassing when you come to a rest, get out and forget you’re sat a good foot or two higher than ordinarily.
The chassis wants to be hustled, it has so much available suspension travel, but so well-judged damping that for a point to point car, it’s a brutally effective weapon of a car on most roads. I was worried it would feel like quite large on the road, but unlike the sports cars, it doesn’t have a backside wider than the front end or midriff, so you adapt to the footprint quickly. Granted, it’s not a small car, but IMO you feel confident in quicker than you might expect.
The unsung hero of the car though, the brakes and transmission. The brakes have a significant amount of stopping power, but IMO, the best pedal feel of all the current cars. It’s closest to the feel of a last generation car, without the digital ‘steps’ that some earlier cars suffered with. No squeaks either…
The transmission – 9G courtesy of Mercedes (no doubt annoying some individuals). I’d say it’s better than the ZF in operation, in so much as it feels more like a DCT when you’re really pushing on.
In GT mode, the changes are silky smooth (the ZF is great in that respect already). In Sport+ though, it just hammers through the gears crisply, with no drama, surge or hesitation. It’s a great match for the rest of the car. At motorway speeds, it was just getting 7th gear. 8th and 9th seem to be long gears, and everything above 6th is there purely for economy.
The interior was excellent, the design is neat, not cluttered, and everything works on buttons rather than touch screens. The fit, finish and quality of materials are all as you’d expect, and it felt impeccable in terms of build quality and finish. The infotainment screen is neatly integrated, works well (seems different to the system in the DB11 – a bit fresher, crisper, higher resolution, could it possibly be MBUX…). The same is true of the instrument gauges, just a bit higher resolution and looks super.
The only negative I came away with – the standard exhaust is quiet, certainly below around 4000rpm. In Sport+ it livens up, but if it were me, I’d option the sports exhaust.
Overall, the car’s mega. More seat time’s needed to really learn it and live with it, but I believe all the gripes felt about the interiors of the sports cars, have been remedied with DBX. I’d highly recommend experiencing it, because even if it’s not on the audition list, as a piece of engineering, and the ability to transport 4 full size adults, in absolute luxury, quickly and comfortably, with a massive boot, and a steering wheel that you’d swear is connected to a big sports car and not an SUV, it’s an impressive package.
Sorry…lots of waffle again. I imagine some are seething and their urine is boiling at the thought that the car has some Mercedes bits in it. DBX is superb
Some caveats before I bore you with first impressions of the DBX. The demonstrator was on the all season Scorpion Zero tyres, and had the standard exhaust system, and I didn’t have a lot of time to tinker with the individual driving mode.
Overall, I was left a bit gobsmacked – I’d heard good things about the dynamics, but there was a chunk of things I learnt in the brief time I was driving it.
Performance wise, no concerns – a 2245kg car has no right to pick up her skirt and cover ground so quickly. The surprising thing, was how well damped it was. I only tried two driving modes; GT and Sport+. Unlike the sports cars, DBX drive modes control all aspects of the car unless you choose individual (where you can opt for a harder drivetrain but softer damping etc). In GT mode, you can cruise around on a fluffy cloud, it just rides effortlessly but doesn’t feel distant or wallow around.
Sport+, despite it being the most focused drive mode, doesn’t negatively affect the ride comfort. I’d say in Sport+ it was no less comfortably riding than a DB11 in GT mode. The clever bit is the 48V tech that stiffens the roll bars, so it simply doesn’t pitch and yaw as you might expect. I should add, I didn’t try the ride height settings. There’s manual adjustment up and down, but It stays at ‘zero’ unless in Sport+ at above…legal speeds, at which point it drops down in height. In simple terms, it handles like a taller DB11 – it’s embarrassing when you come to a rest, get out and forget you’re sat a good foot or two higher than ordinarily.
The chassis wants to be hustled, it has so much available suspension travel, but so well-judged damping that for a point to point car, it’s a brutally effective weapon of a car on most roads. I was worried it would feel like quite large on the road, but unlike the sports cars, it doesn’t have a backside wider than the front end or midriff, so you adapt to the footprint quickly. Granted, it’s not a small car, but IMO you feel confident in quicker than you might expect.
The unsung hero of the car though, the brakes and transmission. The brakes have a significant amount of stopping power, but IMO, the best pedal feel of all the current cars. It’s closest to the feel of a last generation car, without the digital ‘steps’ that some earlier cars suffered with. No squeaks either…
The transmission – 9G courtesy of Mercedes (no doubt annoying some individuals). I’d say it’s better than the ZF in operation, in so much as it feels more like a DCT when you’re really pushing on.
In GT mode, the changes are silky smooth (the ZF is great in that respect already). In Sport+ though, it just hammers through the gears crisply, with no drama, surge or hesitation. It’s a great match for the rest of the car. At motorway speeds, it was just getting 7th gear. 8th and 9th seem to be long gears, and everything above 6th is there purely for economy.
The interior was excellent, the design is neat, not cluttered, and everything works on buttons rather than touch screens. The fit, finish and quality of materials are all as you’d expect, and it felt impeccable in terms of build quality and finish. The infotainment screen is neatly integrated, works well (seems different to the system in the DB11 – a bit fresher, crisper, higher resolution, could it possibly be MBUX…). The same is true of the instrument gauges, just a bit higher resolution and looks super.
The only negative I came away with – the standard exhaust is quiet, certainly below around 4000rpm. In Sport+ it livens up, but if it were me, I’d option the sports exhaust.
Overall, the car’s mega. More seat time’s needed to really learn it and live with it, but I believe all the gripes felt about the interiors of the sports cars, have been remedied with DBX. I’d highly recommend experiencing it, because even if it’s not on the audition list, as a piece of engineering, and the ability to transport 4 full size adults, in absolute luxury, quickly and comfortably, with a massive boot, and a steering wheel that you’d swear is connected to a big sports car and not an SUV, it’s an impressive package.
Sorry…lots of waffle again. I imagine some are seething and their urine is boiling at the thought that the car has some Mercedes bits in it. DBX is superb
Harry's great review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5INqHd9dChg
Interior is SO much better than DB11/DBS/Vantage. Let's hope they get a refresh with this interior. Surely AM will release a v12 version of the DBX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5INqHd9dChg
Interior is SO much better than DB11/DBS/Vantage. Let's hope they get a refresh with this interior. Surely AM will release a v12 version of the DBX.
Harry's review's probably the most comprehensive thus far. For ease of browsing, some of the UK reviews:
Lovecars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNbzyHj4DNc&t=...
Carfection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62lmOTetquU&t=...
Autocar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hcJKNDiUPU&t=...
Every day's a school day, seems the infotainment isn't the latest Merc one, but is a step on from that in the sports cars. In any case, works pretty well.
ETA: Carwow review... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwtT2bUIPCc
Lovecars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNbzyHj4DNc&t=...
Carfection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62lmOTetquU&t=...
Autocar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hcJKNDiUPU&t=...
Every day's a school day, seems the infotainment isn't the latest Merc one, but is a step on from that in the sports cars. In any case, works pretty well.
ETA: Carwow review... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwtT2bUIPCc
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 10th August 09:33
The very PH review, pretty good.
I’m not now and probably won’t ever be in the market for a very expensive SUV myself, but this is where I’d put my money if the opposite were true. The DBX is just the right blend of Aston Martin and SUV. The lack of a hybrid option (for the foreseeable, at least) might well prove to be an oversight, but the first model to use this bespoke platform – because there will be others – is good enough to suggest Aston Martin’s massive gamble will eventually pay off.
I’m not now and probably won’t ever be in the market for a very expensive SUV myself, but this is where I’d put my money if the opposite were true. The DBX is just the right blend of Aston Martin and SUV. The lack of a hybrid option (for the foreseeable, at least) might well prove to be an oversight, but the first model to use this bespoke platform – because there will be others – is good enough to suggest Aston Martin’s massive gamble will eventually pay off.
V8LM said:
NFC 85 Vette said:
Every day's a school day, seems the infotainment isn't the latest Merc one, but is a step on from that in the sports cars.
They have to keep 1 version behind. Some great reviews. Well done AML.
tg said:
On early cars the response times were also woeful - there is no touchscreen - making the whole thing feel more than a little clunky. One thing that’s actually very useful is the storage area under the central tunnel - a bit of a boon when you want to chuck a small bag somewhere. But generally it’s a car with decent vision, plenty of toys (even the ‘base’ stereo system is an 800-watt Samsung/Harman with 14-speakers), and a luxo-barge feel.
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/aston-martin/dbx/insidehyphen said:
V8LM said:
NFC 85 Vette said:
Every day's a school day, seems the infotainment isn't the latest Merc one, but is a step on from that in the sports cars.
They have to keep 1 version behind. Some great reviews. Well done AML.
tg said:
On early cars the response times were also woeful - there is no touchscreen - making the whole thing feel more than a little clunky. One thing that’s actually very useful is the storage area under the central tunnel - a bit of a boon when you want to chuck a small bag somewhere. But generally it’s a car with decent vision, plenty of toys (even the ‘base’ stereo system is an 800-watt Samsung/Harman with 14-speakers), and a luxo-barge feel.
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/aston-martin/dbx/insideIMO, it's a massive plus that it doesn't have a touch screen. There were no lag issues in operating the one I tried. I suppose the problem is if you get a pre-production car (which all the press drive cars were), any glitch or bug, is then described as representative of the car in general, which IME isn't the case.
Beckson said:
Harry's great review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5INqHd9dChg
Interior is SO much better than DB11/DBS/Vantage. Let's hope they get a refresh with this interior. Surely AM will release a v12 version of the DBX.
Loved:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5INqHd9dChg
Interior is SO much better than DB11/DBS/Vantage. Let's hope they get a refresh with this interior. Surely AM will release a v12 version of the DBX.
1. The segment where he goes and have fun driving twice over the bump on the road and laughs about it.
2. rabid fanboy tone "S-UVEES ARN'T FUHN TO DRIVEHH!!!11!1!!"
perfectly poised Britsh accent "Well, sorry, you must not have driven a DBX then."
Edited by EVR on Monday 10th August 08:31
I went to have a look at one of these at the Park Lane showroom for a launch evening a while back. They are very impressive - exterior presence and interior space are spot on.
I came away though wondering whether I would ever want to buy one. In short, I wouldn’t consider one until it was five+ years old, when I imagine it would have followed a Rapide-style depreciation curve. But even then, would I want one? The issue is that For the role we’d use it for, we have an L322 RR SC. That’s got scuffs on all four corners, paint nicks here and there, and only two days ago I loaded it up with a selection of rubbish and junk and did a dump run. Could I see myself treating a DBX the same way? I’m not sure I could. I think I would be too precious about it. Which would make it hard to fulfil that particular role of “do everything family bus that I am not very invested in” that the RR fulfils so well.
But if I could tweak the job spec a bit, then I’d be in. If.
I came away though wondering whether I would ever want to buy one. In short, I wouldn’t consider one until it was five+ years old, when I imagine it would have followed a Rapide-style depreciation curve. But even then, would I want one? The issue is that For the role we’d use it for, we have an L322 RR SC. That’s got scuffs on all four corners, paint nicks here and there, and only two days ago I loaded it up with a selection of rubbish and junk and did a dump run. Could I see myself treating a DBX the same way? I’m not sure I could. I think I would be too precious about it. Which would make it hard to fulfil that particular role of “do everything family bus that I am not very invested in” that the RR fulfils so well.
But if I could tweak the job spec a bit, then I’d be in. If.
Mr Catchpole likes - https://youtu.be/62lmOTetquU?t=670 - contrary to his face at this point 
This is important to me, and hopefully others. I tend to only listen to a handful of trusted reviewers. I bought by first Vantage several years ago following Henry's reviews in EVO.
Not really an SUV person, but as others commented, if I had to choose one, it would be this with no question. They nailed it!
I hope that bodes well for financing the next generation of cars and, more importantly, gets them through the current patch.
Well done Aston and good luck to the workforce!
This is important to me, and hopefully others. I tend to only listen to a handful of trusted reviewers. I bought by first Vantage several years ago following Henry's reviews in EVO.
Not really an SUV person, but as others commented, if I had to choose one, it would be this with no question. They nailed it!
I hope that bodes well for financing the next generation of cars and, more importantly, gets them through the current patch.
Well done Aston and good luck to the workforce!
Strange to see a second wave of DBx intro video's. I thought the introdction was months ago ?
Interior wise Harry's right about the buttons on the dash, they look outdated and out of place. A nice analog clock instead of the start button would've been nice. Overall the interior is the best Aston interior by a country mile. Glad they don't use the strange, vulgar seat patterns for instance. The one piece centre consol bridge is a great feature as well.
Exterior wise It looks a bit bulky, the final 1/3 that is. And it seems it can't be specced without the roofrails, which is a shame, would make it look lower and more dynamic.
Interior wise Harry's right about the buttons on the dash, they look outdated and out of place. A nice analog clock instead of the start button would've been nice. Overall the interior is the best Aston interior by a country mile. Glad they don't use the strange, vulgar seat patterns for instance. The one piece centre consol bridge is a great feature as well.
Exterior wise It looks a bit bulky, the final 1/3 that is. And it seems it can't be specced without the roofrails, which is a shame, would make it look lower and more dynamic.
Edited by DeltonaS on Monday 10th August 12:31
The DBX looks like a winner. If we forget all his other blunders, AP should be remembered for this.
It appears that all the attributes which buyers want for this type of luxury vehicle are present, but with an extra appeal to capture even more customers, the sports car like handling and performance. The electrically controlled anti-roll bar is a great innovation, to minimise roll for a high centre of gravity vehicle.
There is one surprising point though, which will not be of the slightest concern to luxury SUV buyers.
The DBX (and its competitors) have the appearance of being massive two ton vehicles, particularly when overhanging parking spaces.
Fold down the rear seats and measure the luggage space.
Capacity;
1,530 litres = Aston Martin DBX.
1,630 litres = Vauxhall Astra Sport Tourer (estate).
Is that due to the height of SUV boot floors?
My favourite reviewer as he is down to earth and to the point
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwtT2bUIPCc
He loves it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwtT2bUIPCc
He loves it
Veg said:
My favourite reviewer as he is down to earth and to the point
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwtT2bUIPCc
He loves it
Telegraph also gave it a good review and 4/5. All round well recieved, so hopefully should sell well.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwtT2bUIPCc
He loves it
Anyone seen any American reviews? As from what Ive read, Aston are hoping women in America will take to it.
We had two come out to play with us yesterday, now I'm not an SUV fan so don't have any cred where these are concerned and couple that with the fact that I love my new Vantage.
But, I thought they looked fantastic inside and out, though what threw me about them the most was the sound. They are pure new gen Aston very deep and race type sound track lots of bangs and crackles, not what you expect from an SUV but spot on for an Aston.
But, I thought they looked fantastic inside and out, though what threw me about them the most was the sound. They are pure new gen Aston very deep and race type sound track lots of bangs and crackles, not what you expect from an SUV but spot on for an Aston.
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