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It’s arduous to consider that the Aston Martin DBX – the agency’s first and solely SUV – is knocking on for 5 years outdated. Now there’s a brand new S model to tempt consumers into spending extra money.
As you’d count on from the badge, the 2026 Aston Martin DBX S does certainly go a bit quicker, although the DBX707 hardly wanted a efficiency increase, so the main target right here is on slightly weight discount and quite a lot of driver engagement.
Our first drive of the DBX S got here on the automobile’s worldwide media launch on the twisting mountain roads of the Spanish island of Mallorca.
This was additionally our first alternative to check out the DBX’s new cabin, bringing with it a mixture of bodily switchgear and cutting-edge infotainment tech. In actual fact, that is the primary automobile on the earth to get the brand new Apple CarPlay Extremely system.
How a lot does the Aston Martin DBX value?
Earlier than on-road prices, GST and LCT, the retail value of the brand new DBX S in Australia will probably be $349,080.
The Australian launch date is but to be confirmed, however it’s going to actually be someday in 2026 and if the taxation system doesn’t change between at times, we estimate the S will are available in at about $485,311 on the highway.
Given the high-net-worth people this automobile is designed for, the ten or so per cent improve this represents over the DBX707 is all however irrelevant, which makes it slightly stunning that the “lesser” mannequin will nonetheless be supplied.
To see how the Aston Martin DBX strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
What’s the Aston Martin DBX like on the within?
The S is remarkably much like the DBX707 inside, although that is our first probability to pattern the DBX’s upgraded cabin.
One of many few complaints we had with the DBX when it was launched was its sub-par dashboard and infotainment, however that has been alleviated by porting over the identical system first seen within the Aston Martin DB12 – and now it comes with Apple CarPlay Extremely as effectively.
In entrance of the driving force is a cultured 12.3-inch show for the digital instrumentation with numerous views. Its graphics are wealthy and clear, and the looks may be altered greater than standard in case you’ve an iPhone paired as much as the automobile.
Irritatingly, although, in case you’re utilizing Google Maps, turn-by-turn navigation prompts aren’t displayed in entrance of the driving force – that solely works in case you use Apple Maps. Get in contact with Tim Cook dinner to voice your criticism.
The touchscreen in the midst of the automobile measures 10.25 inches throughout the diagonal and it really works effectively, even when a few of the textual content can seem a bit small at occasions. The Apple CarPlay Extremely integration, taking in objects similar to cabin temperature, is undoubtedly neat, although not as game-changing as it might have been hyped as much as be.
Fortunately, you don’t have to the touch the display screen to tweak the three-zone local weather management, as Aston Martin’s switchgear features a set of ridiculously tactile controls organized between the entrance seats.
The rollers – for temperature, fan pace and stereo quantity – really feel like knurled metallic below your fingers and befit a automobile meant to be in contrast with Lamborghinis and Bentleys.
The identical solidity and tactility prolong to the chunky drive-mode selector (with the engine-start button at its center) and the compact drive selector behind.
A scattering of bodily buttons completes the pane – not solely are they extra satisfying to make use of than touch-sensitive controls, however they’re safer on the transfer as the driving force doesn’t have to take their eyes off the highway for so long as they could to make use of a touchscreen menu.
A barely flat-bottomed steering wheel is fitted, that includes extra bodily buttons on its spokes, although the spotlight is the chilly, metallic paddle shifters behind.
No two Aston Martins depart the manufacturing facility in the identical specification, so poring over the colors and supplies of our check automobile is a fruitless train, save to admire the craftsmanship.
We significantly like the graceful carbon-fibre end out there, however the sky (or your financial institution steadiness) is the restrict in relation to selecting a bespoke appear and feel.
For the file, the S mannequin is differentiated by its personal door sill plates and lashings of Alcantara upholstery all through, together with a particular ‘S Herringbone’ sample on the seats. That is additionally added to the headlining in case you change the usual glass roof with the non-compulsory carbon-fibre one.
Aston matches the DBX S with an 800W, 14-speaker audio system as customary, with the choice to improve to a Bowers & Wilkins setup utilizing 23 audio system and pumping out 1600 Watts. We’d counsel the V8 below the bonnet renders {that a} waste of cash.
Rear-seat and baggage area are unchanged within the S mannequin, that means a lot of rear legroom and headroom, plus effectively over 600 litres of room within the boot. So yeah, it does the sensible SUV factor in a more-than-adequate method.
| Dimensions | Aston Martin DBX S |
|---|---|
| Size | 5039mm |
| Width | 2154mm (mirrors folded) |
| Peak | 1680mm (together with roof rails) |
| Wheelbase | 3060mm |
| Cargo capability | 638L (to roof) |
To see how the Aston Martin DBX strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
What’s below the bonnet?
Energy as ever comes from a Mercedes-AMG-derived V8. It’s nonetheless a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre unit within the S, although peak energy has been elevated from the 520kW DBX707 to 535kW for the S. That’s a modest improve, comparatively talking, and the height torque determine is unchanged at – a still-huge – 900Nm.
| Specs | Aston Martin DBX S |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0L V8 twin-turbo |
| Energy | 535kW @ 6250rpm |
| Torque | 900Nm @ 3000-5250rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automated |
| Drive sort | Full-time all-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2198kg (with light-weight choices) |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 3.3 seconds |
| Braked tow capability | 2700kg |
It’s all of the extra stunning then that the elevated output is because of greater than only a fast recalibration, because the DBX now will get the identical turbochargers because the incoming Valhalla supercar, bringing with them bigger compressor wheels and different enhancements.
Aston Martin doesn’t formally quote any improve to the highest pace – 310km/h – or a discount within the claimed 0-100km/h time of three.3 seconds (which make it one of many world’s quickest and quickest SUVs) , however one among its engineers discreetly confirmed to CarExpert that the latter is a pessimistic quantity achievable repeatedly and the automobile can simply higher it. What’s extra, the engine has a wider rev vary than earlier than.
It actually by no means lacks for efficiency and drama. To that finish, the exhaust system has been redeveloped in a bid to amplify the V8’s traits, and it makes a very astounding noise while you’re pushing on.
Even ambling round within the quietest setting, it makes a pleasingly deep, bass-rich rumble, however you’ll change gears up and down manually simply to listen to the engine at work while you’re on an attention-grabbing highway. Not that you simply strictly have to with a view to make indecent progress, such is the extent of mid-range torque produced.
The gearbox is a nine-speed automated as earlier than, utilizing a wet-clutch design, and its operation is tied in with the assorted driving modes.
Pleasingly, there’s a giant ‘Guide’ button on the centre console to permit you make full use of the tactile paddles behind the wheel. Press that and the transmission won’t ever change up for you.
Aston Martin quotes all of the compulsory method, departure and breakover angles for the DBX S, however who of their proper minds would take such a automobile off highway?
The all-wheel drive system is designed extra for on-road efficiency, with the flexibility to ship as much as 100 per cent of the engine’s output to the again axle, whereupon an electronically managed limited-slip differential divvies issues out between the rear wheels.
To see how the Aston Martin DBX strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
How does the Aston Martin DBX drive?
There haven’t been any important modifications to the chassis of the DBX for the S mannequin, although it did are available in for some revision final 12 months, with a recalibration of its electronically managed dampers and air springs.
The spring charges are different within the three-chamber system relying on whether or not the driving force chooses the default GT driving mode, Sport or Sport+. There’s one other setting known as Terrain for those who really feel the necessity to take their sports-car-cosplaying-as-an-SUV off the crushed monitor.
Complementing all that is an lively digital roll-control system. A few of these such techniques can provide a automobile a very unnatural really feel by means of a curve, eradicating the feeling of high-speed cornering from the equation and distancing the driving force from the method.
Aston Martin has managed the balancing act effectively, so the DBX S simply feels planted and its physique extremely effectively managed irrespective of how briskly you push it. But it’s not a man-made sensation, as there’s a smidge of lean and sufficient info coming by means of the steering and the seat of your pants to let simply how arduous you’re going. It’s big enjoyable.
For the S, Aston’s engineers have sped up the facility steering rack, that means faster response to inputs. Just like the suspension although, it feels pure, and isn’t nervous or twitchy. Dial every little thing again down and the DBX S is completely completely happy to ferry the children to highschool or sort out a protracted freeway journey.
Admittedly, it’s by no means fairly as snug as say, a Bentley Bentayga, however your loved ones gained’t hate you for purchasing one both. And on a abandoned, twisting mountain highway, there’s big enjoyment available, belying the large SUV picture and weight.
To that finish, Aston Martin has sensibly fitted huge carbon-ceramic brakes as customary. And but the pedal really feel is at all times excellent below your foot.
You’ll be able to maximise the DBX S’s capability by ticking a number of selection possibility packing containers, decreasing the burden the place it issues. A light-weight entrance grille is accessible, for instance, although the best upgrades are to the roof.
The carbon-fibre variant takes a full 18kg out, considerably reducing the automobile’s centre of gravity within the course of. And select the beautiful magnesium rims and also you’re eradicating 19kg of unsprung weight from the suspension.
To see how the Aston Martin DBX strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
What do you get?
Aston Martin features a beneficiant specification on all its vehicles, and the DBX S is not any completely different, although we’d prefer to have seen a few of the light-weight additions as customary tools. Not that it issues, as Aston’s consumers are inclined to spend a very good amount of cash on personalising their vehicles in any case.
2026 Aston Martin DBX S tools highlights:
- 23-inch aluminium alloy wheels
- Carbon-ceramic brakes
- Alcantara sports activities seats and trim
- Tri-zone local weather management
- Panoramic glass roof
- 12.3-inch digital instrumentation
- 10.25-inch touchscreen
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- incl. on-line mapping, routing
- 360-degree digital camera system
- Powered tailgate
To see how the Aston Martin DBX strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
Is the Aston Martin DBX secure?
Small-volume automakers similar to Aston Martin don’t habitually current their fashions for crash-testing by Euro NCAP or ANCAP, and it’s the identical for the DBX. Nonetheless, it’s fitted with an enormous vary of lively and passive security options.
Customary security tools consists of:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Driver alertness monitoring
- Rear cross site visitors alerting
- Visitors signal recognition
- Door exit warning
- Ahead collision warning
To see how the Aston Martin DBX strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
How a lot does the Aston Martin DBX value to run?
The DBX S is roofed by Aston Martin’s customary three-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, together with three years of roadside help. Real elements fitted by Aston by means of the automobile’s lifetime are lined by a separate 12-month guarantee.
Aston Martin gives its Pinnacle Prolonged Service Contract as a part of its Aftercare Intensified program to cowl operating prices.
On the time of writing, the DBX S’s gasoline consumption and emissions figures weren’t out there, however you may be positive they gained’t be any higher than the DBX707 manages – formally 14.2L/100km, however a lot worse than that in actuality.
To see how the Aston Martin DBX strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the Aston Martin DBX
Aston Martin’s continued light evolution of its SUV is to be welcomed.
The DBX S is maybe not as transformative because the advertising would possibly counsel, however it’s nonetheless an astoundingly good-to-drive SUV that manages to be a correct high-performance automobile, with out the histrionics of one thing like a Lamborghini Urus.
Homeowners of the sooner fashions will little question be eager to commerce as much as the DBX S, rendering the 707 model all however superfluous.
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MORE: Discover the Aston Martin DBX showroom
