It’s natural to feel skeptical when a sports car manufacturer ventures into the world of crossovers. However, Aston Martin shattered those doubts with the DBX, demonstrating that such a move can be done with elegance and finesse. The DBX became Aston Martin’s equivalent of Porsche’s Cayenne—a game-changing product that boosted sales without compromising the brand’s integrity. Its triumph was so remarkable that the company decided to unleash its engineers to create an even more daring iteration known as the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 gets its name from its impressive metric power output of 707 PS. This powerhouse of an SUV enters the scene with a staggering 155 horsepower advantage over the standard DBX, along with various performance upgrades that position it as the ultimate SUV for driving enthusiasts. With both Ferrari and Lamborghini fully committed to the SUV market, the DBX707 faces formidable competition. However, having spent a week experiencing Gaydon’s super SUV firsthand, we firmly believe that it justifies its price tag of $236,000.
Styling That Translates
Beauty is a matter of personal taste, but in terms of design, the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 stands out by resembling the very sports cars it aims to emulate, surpassing its rivals. While the Lamborghini Urus adopts an assertive aesthetic with its sharp lines and imposing air vents, the DBX follows a more understated route. The DBX707 incorporates a larger grille opening to enhance airflow and features some intricately designed diffusers, yet it manages to retain the elegance of the standard model even in its sporty transformation.
Crafting an SUV that truly stands out is a daunting task, yet the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 manages to accomplish it flawlessly with its distinctive rear end. Borrowing the ducktail design from the Vantage and seamlessly incorporating it into a crossover is no small feat. Surprisingly, this remarkable feature often goes unnoticed, as the sizable carbon fiber diffuser at the rear and the eye-catching roof-mounted wing capture most of the attention.
If we were investing $5,000 in paint, we would prefer a more vibrant color than the Apex Grey shade of the test model. However, the grey hue does exude a premium appearance without going overboard like some of the extravagant colors seen on the Urus. Additionally, the 23-inch wheels available for the vehicle look absolutely stunning, although we suspect that the ride quality could be enhanced by opting for 22-inch wheels instead. That being said, the ride itself is not particularly rough. Nevertheless, Aston Martin offers some exceptional wheel designs in the smaller size category.
German Performance, English Accent
You might think that the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 simply relies on a Mercedes-AMG engine, but that assumption would be incorrect. While the regular DBX does indeed utilize an AMG engine as its base, Aston Martin took a different approach with the DBX707. Instead of purchasing an off-the-shelf solution, the automaker went a step further. They managed to recruit the very engineer responsible for developing the engine at AMG, brought him to England, and allowed him to refine his creation specifically for the Aston Martin brand.
Although the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 derives its name from its performance figures in Europe, it’s important to note that its horsepower rating in the US, measured by SAE standards, comes in at 697 hp—a modest 13 horsepower shy of the Dodge Durango Hellcat. Aston Martin, however, claims that the horsepower figure was not their primary focus during the engine’s development. Instead, their engineering team prioritized the engine’s character and focused on optimizing torque rather than aiming for outright bragging rights. In this aspect, the DBX707 outshines the Durango Hellcat, offering an impressive 663 lb-ft of torque compared to the Durango’s 645 lb-ft.
More about Performance
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, typically dominated by the Hellcat, the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 proves its prowess by crossing the finish line in a mere 11.5 seconds at 119 mph, outperforming the Durango which takes 11.7 seconds. Launching the DBX707 is a breeze—simply press both pedals, release the brake, and get ready for an exhilarating takeoff. Its acceleration is one of the most exhilarating experiences we’ve encountered in a gas-powered SUV, though it may struggle to maintain traction on surfaces that are less than ideal, lacking the clinical efficiency typically associated with German SUVs.
Handling That Thrills
The performance of the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 is simply mind-blowing, although it’s just one of the many impressive engineering accomplishments. Surprisingly, the handling of the DBX707 matches that of any Aston Martin sports car currently available. Thanks to the Triple Chamber Air Suspension with adaptive dampers, body roll is virtually non-existent, giving the DBX707 a sensation of being firmly planted to the ground, defying the laws of physics. Aston Martin refers to this system as eARC (Electronic Active Roll Control), which, despite its unassuming name, delivers astonishing handling characteristics that feel like pure magic.
When it comes to navigating corners, the 2023 Aston Martin DBX707 exhibits an abundance of power, allowing the driver to skillfully slide the rear end at will. The steering is incredibly precise, providing a level of responsiveness that rivals Aston’s finest grand touring sports cars. Remarkably, the engineers achieved this exhilarating driving experience without compromising on comfort. The air suspension glides gracefully over bumps, while the cabin remains eerily quiet, thanks to the use of acoustic glass.
Aston Martin even went the extra mile by outfitting the DBX707 with a specially selected transmission. While the standard DBX utilizes a conventional nine-speed automatic, the 707 variant receives the AMG wet-clutch MCT found in the SL. This transmission ditches the torque converter in favor of a wet clutch, combining the best aspects 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.
2023 Aston Martin DBX707 Price: Worth Every Penny
With a $236,000 starting price, the 2023 DBX707 has a premium model of approximately $50,000 over the base DBX707. That’s a significant amount of cash, but anyone who can afford the standard car likely won’t starve trying to stretch for the Premium DBX707. 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.
Below is a video showing the features of this cool SUV:
