by Michael Butler
The Aston Martin Vantage is a name that stretches back over 70 years and nine generations. The 2021 Aston Martin Vantage has been around in its current form since 2018, and we think it's the best one yet. This two-seater sports coupe is powered by a muscle-bound 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine borrowed from Mercedes-AMG, which delivers 503 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque in base configuration. With a tight chassis, impressive throttle response, and looks to kill, it's no wonder why competitors like the Porsche 911 and Mercedes-AMG GT look rather ordinary when parked alongside this British bombshell. These are a few niggles, such as an outdated infotainment system and a small trunk, but these are quickly forgotten once you get behind the wheel of 2021 Vantage Coupe.
For 2021, Aston Martin celebrates its renewed investment in Formula 1 and its partnership with the racing series as the official safety car by releasing a special F1 Edition variant of the Vantage. Identified by carbon fiber exterior detailing, 21-inch Satin Black Diamond Turned alloy wheels, and additional aerodynamics in the form of a fixed rear wing and front splitter, this model also gets an increase of 24 horsepower.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupe |
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
|
7-Speed Manual
8-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
|
$139,000 |
| F1 Edition Coupe |
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
|
$181,000 |
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
The Aston Martin Vantage is one of those cars that doesn't need a lot of convincing to like. Just one look and most car fans will be hooked, and that's before we even start talking about how this coupe feels to drive. The 2021 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe delivers stunning performance behind the wheel, and we applaud Aston for managing to deliver a chassis worthy of the AMG V8 under the hood (which also guarantees reliability). The rear-wheel drivetrain is excellent, especially if you go with the manual gearbox, and eager drivers will be rewarded with a ton of response, feedback, and fun. Although Aston should spend some time updating its infotainment system, but the rest of the interior is beautifully appointed. Oh, and forget about trunk space. The 2021 Aston Martin Coupe's price is up there, but at this price point, most buyers won't be dissuaded. Overall, this is a charming and competent sports car with looks to kill and a soundtrack that thrills.
Now that all 200 AMR versions have been sold out in the US, new buyers will have to choose between the base car and the F1 Safety Car lookalike with an additional 24 horses under the hood and a sweet British Racing Green paint job. We'd recommend going with the entry-level model, as it covers all the bases and leaves plenty of room for customers to customize colors, interior trim, and spec level. Any and all driver assistance options should also be added to increase the car's safety rating.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo