DBX707

Segment
SUV

It's easy to be cynical about a sports car company foraying into the realm of crossovers, but the Aston Martin DBX proved such a transition could be executed gracefully. The DBX was for Aston what the Cayenne was for Porsche: a breakthrough product that increased sales without diluting the brand. It was so successful that the company was able to let its engineers loose on an even more outrageous version called the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.

Named in reference to the engine's metric power output (707 PS), the 707 storms onto the scene with 155 horsepower more than the standard DBX and other performance enhancements that theoretically make it the ultimate driver's SUV. With Ferrari and Lamborghini both fully invested in the SUV segment, the DBX707 faces some stiff competition. But after spending a week in Gaydon's super SUV, we think it's well deserving of its $236,000 price tag.

Styling That Translates

Beauty is subjective, but when it comes to design, the DBX manages to look more like the sports cars it's trying to emulate than the competition. Whereas the Lamborghini Urus takes an aggressive approach to styling with sharp creases and massive vents, the DBX takes a more subtle path. The 707 gets a larger grille opening for improved airflow and some more intricate diffusers, but it doesn't lose the standard model's elegance in its sporty transition.

Penning an SUV that stands out is near impossible, but the DBX's back end achieves it. It takes the ducktail design from the Vantage and makes it fit on a crossover. It's easy not to even notice that, though, because the rear carbon fiber diffuser is so sizable, and the roof-mounted wing draws your eye, too.

If we were spending $5,000 on paint, we'd want something more vibrant than our tester's Apex Grey hue, but it does look premium without being outlandish like many Urus colors. The available 23-inch wheels look fantastic too, but we bet the ride would be improved with some 22s. Not that the ride is particularly harsh, though. Nevertheless, Aston has some stellar wheel designs in the smaller size.

German Performance, English Accent

The DBX just borrows an engine from Mercedes-AMG, right? Wrong. While the base engine in the regular DBX is from AMG, for the DBX707, Aston Martin didn't just purchase an off-the-shelf solution. Instead, the automaker poached the engineer who developed this engine for AMG, shipped him to England, and let him perfect his creation for the brand.

While its European numbers give the DBX707 its name, here in the US on SAE-standard horsepower, the motor produces 697 hp - a full 13 shy of the Dodge Durango Hellcat. But Aston says the horsepower figure was merely a byproduct of developing the engine's character to its liking, with torque being a greater focus for the engineering team than bragging rights. The Durango Hellcat has only 645 lb-ft of torque, while the DBX707 gets 663 lb-ft.

And just in case there's any doubt, the Aston would clean up in a race against the Dodge. It can hit 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds on its way to a 193 mph top speed. A Lamborghini Urus Performante would struggle to keep up.

Even in a quarter-mile drag race, seemingly the Hellcat's domain, the DBX707 would cross the line in just 11.5 seconds at 119 mph (the Durango takes 11.7 seconds). Getting the DBX707 off the line is easy; just mash both pedals, release the brake, and prepare for takeoff. It has one of the most savage launches we've ever felt in a gas-powered SUV, but it lacks the clinical efficiency of a German SUV, scrabbling for grip on less-than-ideal surfaces.

Handling That Thrills

The straight-line performance is nothing short of astonishing, but it's perhaps the least impressive engineering achievement. You may not believe it, but the DBX707 handles as well as any current Aston Martin sports car. Triple Chamber Air Suspension with adaptive dampers eliminates body roll, making the DBX feel like it's hugging the ground; physics be dammed. Aston calls this system eARC (Electronic Active Roll Control), which despite its uninspired name, delivers purely magic handling characteristics.

The DBX707 dances around corners with enough power to slide the rear end on command. The steering is the most precise we've ever felt in an SUV, mimicking Aston's best grand touring sports cars. The engineers made such a thrilling driver's car without sacrificing comfort. That air suspension rides beautifully over bumps, and the cabin is near silent thanks to acoustic glass.

Aston Martin even changed out the transmission specifically for the 707. The standard DBX uses a conventional nine-speed automatic, while the 707 gets the AMG wet-clutch MCT used in the SL. It forgoes the torque converter in favor of a wet clutch, combining the best of a dual-clutch and an automatic transmission.

Classy Cabin, Aging Technology

When you pay over six figures for an SUV, every surface in the interior should feel special. The DBX707 achieves this... except for the technology. This cabin is filled to the brim with hand-stitched leather, carbon fiber, and metals, making it feel like an expensive item everywhere you touch. Aston didn't change the interior too drastically for the 707 aside from the seats, which are more heavily bolstered to keep occupants held in place. If you prefer the base seats, those are still available, and we'd recommend them as the standard sports seats are uncomfortably stiff on long journeys.

Unlike some competitors, Aston provides a ton of features as standard equipment. Items like heated front and rear seats, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, a panoramic roof, and parking sensors are included at no cost.

As with the standard DBX, our only complaint lies with the geriatric Mercedes COMAND infotainment system, which is now two generations old and does not feature a touchscreen. It's a bit annoying on such an expensive car, but using the touchpad on the console with Apple CarPlay or Android auto alleviates many of the infotainment system's foibles.

A Practical GT

The DBX707 is a driver's car that doesn't skimp on practicality in its pursuit of speed. Families will enjoy 22.3 cubic feet of trunk space, which is larger than a Bentley Bentayga or Lamborghini Urus. Aston even included buttons to lower the rear seats from the trunk or the second row.

As for passenger comfort, the rear seats offer a commodious 41.7 inches of legroom, which is more than the Bentley Bentayga Long Wheelbase. Despite the appearance of a sloping roofline, six-foot-two occupants can fit in the rear with relative comfort. It may not have a rear entertainment system, but passengers in the back get heated and ventilated seats.

Verdict: Worth Every Penny

With a $236,000 starting price, the DBX707 carries a premium of approximately $50,000 over the base DBX. That's a significant amount of cash, but anyone who can afford the standard car likely won't starve trying to stretch for the 707. The added performance is absolutely worth the cost, even when compared to its rivals. The new Lamborghini Urus Performante costs $260,676, producing less power than the DBX707. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is significantly cheaper, but it requires hefty options and arguably doesn't offer as much prestige. However, it's the only SUV in this segment we feel comes dynamically close to the Aston Martin. The Ferrari Purosangue could deliver similar thrills, but it costs $375,000 and is sold out for more than two years before the first units are even delivered.

No SUV on the market today combines such a perfect blend of insane speed, outstanding luxury, and prestige. The Aston Martin DBX was already close to being our favorite driver's SUV, and with the 707, it has easily earned that title. James Bond would happily drive this SUV. It's a new infotainment system away from perfection.