Within the ways in which mattered to fanatics, the outgoing Aston Martin DBX707 obtained it proper. It was stronger than the discontinued base DBX, seemed higher with its sportier styling, and, crucially, drove higher. Nonetheless, pretty much as good because the range-topping 707 was from an fanatic’s perspective, its comparatively outdated and cumbersome tech suite held it again. Doubly so, because it aimed to compete within the crowded tremendous SUV phase.
In contrast to the remainder of the carmaker’s lineup, the $253,000 DBX707 doesn’t simply should enchantment to fanatics. It concurrently has to face as a luxurious merchandise constructed to serve a broader viewers primarily concerned with driving one thing that appears good and feels costly. Nonetheless, a lot of that feeling of opulence comes from the mix of high-quality supplies and customization flexibility supplemented by the most recent tech.
As evidenced by current updates launched for the Vantage and the DB12, Aston Martin isn’t ready for an all-new technology of merchandise when it will possibly rework its current lineup within the brief time period. That’s exactly the case with the refreshed Aston Martin DBX707. You gained’t discover any main exterior updates, with all the carmaker’s deal with growing a brand-new inside and fine-tuning its dealing with dynamics. I flew to Sonoma, CA, to drive AM’s best-seller to see if it’s able to problem the phase’s high contenders.
Alongside the arrival of its up to date SUV, Aston Martin introduced the departure of the bottom DBX. In line with the carmaker, it observed that buyers gravitated in the direction of the edgier 707 regardless of a substantial value premium, making the “entry-level” mannequin superfluous. As such, it determined to discontinue it and focus all its growth {dollars} on the better-selling mannequin.
Entering into my delightfully brilliant Synapse Orange tester, which pairs an equally colourful Californian Poppy inside, the updates to its cabin are instantly seen and felt. The dashboard’s format is paying homage to the DB12’s, incorporating a brand new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a ten.25-inch infotainment display operating AM’s glorious proprietary software program. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are customary, and its working system is totally built-in with the carmaker’s cell app.
Sitting just under the central display is a row of bodily buttons controlling this SUV’s very important features, starting from local weather settings to suspension tuning and exhaust modes. Extra importantly, it provides finely completed metals for its knobs, scroll wheels, and kit selector. Every little thing you routinely work together with seems like a luxurious merchandise, even right down to the sounds its varied controls produce. Its central drive mode selector, for one, rewards you with a satisfying click on as you progress by completely different drive modes.
By limiting plastic trim and changing it with in depth leather-based work, non-obligatory carbon panels, and an enormous number of veneers, the Aston Martin DBX707 constantly reinforces the sensation that you just’re in one thing particular. Every little thing seems and feels costly, and the mixing its new tech and supplies is faultless. Moderately than its cabin being one thing that must be missed, it’s now central to this SUV’s enchantment.
In distinction, the adjustments to its exterior styling are comparatively minor. Up to date presenting door handles, sleeker door mirrors, new exterior finishes, and Aston Martin’s redesigned badges spherical out the numerous record of adjustments. There’s an argument to be made that the 707 didn’t want design updates in any respect. In spite of everything, it’s essentially the most distinct providing within the tremendous SUV area, sporting an aesthetic and, crucially, an understructure all its personal. The DBX’s sloping roofline, vast stance, and aggressive bumpers stand out in a phase characterised by widespread components sharing.
Setting off within the Aston Martin DBX707 by NorCal’s winding mountain roads seems like a well-known expertise. Its snarling twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 produces a brawny and burbly exhaust observe whereas producing heaps of energy and torque, 697 hp and 664 lb-ft to be precise. These figures stay unchanged from the outgoing mannequin, as does using a nine-speed wet-clutch computerized and a rear-biased all-wheel drive system. As such, its 3.1-second time to 60 mph and its 193-mph high velocity additionally carry over.
What’s new, then? Gaydon’s engineers centered solely on dialing within the 707’s dealing with. As thrilling because it was to drive on a twisting again highway, the outgoing mannequin, sometimes whipping its rear finish out on nook exit, supplied thrills through its tendency to step out. Comparatively, its successor felt rather more buttoned-down and centered. Its dampers for one higher dial-out physique roll, concurrently masking this SUV’s 4,940-pound curb weight.
Consequently, the Aston Martin DBX707 feels rather more agile on the highway, with exact steering and a entrance finish keen to show in. Though its wheel continues to be not as communicative because the Cayenne Turbo GT’s, it’s fast sufficient to have enjoyable on a twisting again highway. Large 16.5 and 15.3-inch carbon ceramic brakes confidently gradual this large SUV whereas hiding behind customary 22-inch wheels. Nonetheless, a set of 23s is out there as an non-obligatory additional.
The result’s a chassis that may higher use the highly effective engine lurking beneath its hood. As is typical of closely turbocharged V8s, it begins its assault with large low-end torque, which carries firmly to redline. Carefully spaced gears hold you properly throughout the powerband, making the DBX really feel responsive, wanting to blast out of a nook, and thus lighter than it’s.
Aston Martin’s deal with dialing in its suspension concurrently creates a extra important distinction between its drive modes. It ranges from being plush and quiet, with seamless gear adjustments and energy supply, to an SUV that’s agency, planted, and correctly rowdy. The result’s an SUV with a broader persona vary, appropriate for fanatics and people who simply need an opulent commuter.
The 2025 Aston Martin DBX707 begins at $253,000, together with a $4,000 transportation and dealing with charge. My very orange tester, optioned with extras resembling a $11,900 Encourage Sport monotone inside, a $19,500 carbon fiber pack, and a $9,700 ache job, is available in at $351,300.
On the floor, updates to the refreshed Aston Martin DBX707 are comparatively minor. A redesigned cabin, dialed-in dealing with, and practically imperceptible exterior updates wouldn’t often have a big affect. Nonetheless, the carmaker was on a quest to make its best-seller correctly aggressive, not wholly re-engineer it. In spite of everything, the range-topping DBX was all the time a terrific looker and a good higher driver.
As an alternative what we get is an excellent SUV that lastly feels full. Its cabin is world-class, outlined by its deal with small particulars. Its dealing with is assured on a again highway however plush sufficient for a day by day commute, and its styling is each sporty and distinctive.
What Aston Martin finally ends up with is an SUV that isn’t only for the fanatics however interesting sufficient to attract in a broader viewers and appeal to folks to the storied model. The refreshed 707 isn’t simply aggressive; it’s obtained what it takes to dethrone the phase’s leaders.
