I Drove the 2025 Aston Martin DBX 707. Here’s My Brutally Honest Review

I Drove the 2025 Aston Martin DBX 707. Here’s My Brutally Honest Review originally appeared on Autoblog.

The genesis of the DBX

The Aston Martin DBX was born from stark necessity, a high-stakes wager from a storied brand to secure its future. Facing intense financial pressure and trailing rivals who had already capitalized on the immensely profitable ultra-high-performance luxury SUV segment, Aston Martin made an important decision. To develop the DBX on an entirely new, dedicated SUV platform. Unlike many competitors who leverage shared architectures from within a larger automotive group, Aston Martin engineered a bespoke chassis using its signature bonded aluminum construction method. This clean-sheet approach, while costly for a small company, granted its engineers complete freedom over the vehicle's proportions, weight distribution, and suspension geometry. A key factor in the DBX's exceptional handling dynamics.

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Production of the DBX was established at a new, purpose-built manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales, transforming three ‘super-hangars’ on a former Royal Air Force base. This choice of location also carries a historical note. After David Brown acquired Aston Martin in 1947, he also began building cars at a former RAF site, ushering in the iconic "DB" era that the DBX continues to honor.

In the rarified air of the super SUV segment, staggering performance is merely the price of entry. To stand out requires something more: a distinct character and an experience that delights. While the landscape is dominated by titans like the flamboyant Lamborghini Urus, the clinically precise Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, and the opulent Bentley Bentayga, it is the 2025 Aston Martin DBX 707 that delivers the most unique and holistically rewarding experience. It achieves this not by trying to be the loudest or the most aggressive, but by being the most complete, blending immense power with a level of bespoke luxury and dynamic finesse.

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Heart of the beast

At the core of the DBX 707's staggering capability is a collaboration between German engineering and British tuning. The engine is the M177, a 4.0-liter, 32-valve, twin-turbocharged V8 sourced from Mercedes-AMG. For the 707, Aston Martin engineers undertook a significant overhaul, fitting new ball-bearing turbochargers for quicker spooling and reduced lag, and developing a bespoke engine calibration. This meticulous tuning extracts a headline-grabbing 697 horsepower (707 PS, hence the name) at 6,000 rpm and a substantial 663 pound-feet of torque at a usable 4,500 rpm. This output enables the DBX 707 to sprint from 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and onto a top speed of 193 mph.

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Equally crucial to the 707's character is its transmission. While also sourced from Mercedes-AMG, the 9-speed automatic gearbox eschews a conventional torque converter in favor of a sophisticated wet-clutch pack. This is a deliberate engineering choice that fundamentally alters the vehicle's personality. A torque converter provides smooth, cushioned starts ideal for traditional luxury cruising. In contrast, the wet clutch operates more like an automated manual, enabling faster, more aggressive gear changes and facilitating the brutal launch control necessary to achieve its acceleration. This choice signals a clear priority: raw performance and a direct, mechanical connection with the driver. While this results in a slightly abrupt surge from a standstill, it’s a trade-off willingly made to transform the DBX into a genuine super-SUV with the immediacy of a supercar.

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However, the true magic lies in its chassis. The DBX was developed on an entirely new, dedicated SUV platform using Aston Martin's signature bonded aluminum construction. This expensive, bespoke approach, unlike competitors' use of shared group architectures, granted engineers complete freedom over weight distribution and suspension geometry. The result is a platform that is both incredibly stiff and remarkably lightweight for its class, a key factor in its celebrated handling.

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This foundation is enhanced by a standard adaptive triple-chamber air suspension and, most critically, a sophisticated 48-volt electronic active anti-roll control system (eARC). This system utilizes powerful electric motors to actively counteract body roll, enabling the 4,970-pound SUV to remain remarkably flat through corners. It actively manages weight transfer, stiffening the front on entry, softening mid-corner to allow rotation, and then stiffening the rear on exit to maintain stability, delivering a level of agility that seems to defy its size.

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A statement of elegant aggression

The DBX 707's design perfectly captures the essence of Aston Martin: sleek, classy, and iconic. Where the Urus boasts origami-like creases and the Bentayga projects a stately mass, the DBX 707 speaks with flowing, muscular lines. Helmed by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, the design is unmistakably British, confident, and commanding without being ostentatious. It features a long, sculpted bonnet and a distinctive "ducktail" rear flip inspired by the Vantage sports car.

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A sanctuary of modern craftsmanship

Stepping inside is where the DBX 707 truly distinguishes itself, especially with the transformative 2025 updates. This is the single greatest advancement, elevating it from a great performance vehicle to a truly complete ultra-luxury product. For years, the DBX was saddled with its most significant flaw: an outdated infotainment system inherited from a previous generation of Mercedes-Benz technology.

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For 2025, this Achilles' heel has been decisively addressed. Aston Martin has implemented an entirely new dashboard, center console, and technology suite centered around its own proprietary, Unix-based infotainment system. The driver now faces a 12.3-inch "Pure Black" digital instrument cluster, complemented by a new 10.25-inch central touchscreen display that is leagues more responsive and intuitive. Modern connectivity finally arrives in the form of standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Thankfully, Aston Martin has resisted the industry trend of burying all functions within submenus. The new layout is a perfect blend of digital and analog. The new steering wheel is an ideal example, a substantial, beautifully crafted touchpoint. Tactile buttons and solid metal roller dials for primary functions like climate, volume, and drive modes remain on the center console, scoring major points for usability. A much more intuitive lever has replaced the awkward push-button gear selector of the old dash. There are no parts-bin components to break the spell; it is an authentic sanctuary of British craftsmanship.

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The cost of exclusivity

Entry into the exclusive club of 2025 Aston Martin DBX 707 ownership begins with a base MSRP of approximately $256,000. However, this figure represents merely the opening bid. The final transaction price rapidly escalates once you engage with the vast and expensive options list, with "as-tested" prices frequently landing in the $290,000 to $350,000 range.

High-cost examples include 'Q by Aston Martin' special paints for over $13,000, the exceptional 23-speaker, 1,600-watt Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system for $12,300, and extensive exterior carbon fiber packages that can easily exceed $30,000. This pricing structure underscores a business model that leans heavily on high-margin personalization, positioning the DBX 707 as a semi-bespoke commission piece.

The competition

The DBX 707 operates in a fiercely competitive arena. Its primary rivals include:

The Lamborghini Urus: The segment's aggressor. With a similar price and performance focus, the Urus offers a more flamboyant, angular design. The DBX 707 positions itself as the more sophisticated Grand Tourer.

The Bentley Bentayga: The segment's aristocrat. The Bentayga prioritizes serene, opulent luxury and classic craftsmanship over outright lap times. The DBX is a far more dynamic and driver-centric vehicle; it is a high-performance sports GT in an SUV's body.

The Ferrari Purosangue: The exotic outlier. With a naturally aspirated V12 and a starting price north of $430,000, it occupies a higher stratosphere. The DBX 707 competes by offering the visceral character of a twin-turbo V8 and a more accessible, albeit still astronomical, price point.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, it's the driving experience that makes the DBX 707 an icon. Forget any preconceptions about SUVs; this is different. Even in its default GT mode, it feels focused and athletic. But engage Sport mode, and it becomes an entirely different animal. The world blurs as its hellacious speed pins you back, the V8 cracks and roars a magnificent soundtrack, and it carves through corners with an impossible, physics-defying flatness. It is an absolute blast to drive.

I Drove the 2025 Aston Martin DBX 707. Here’s My Brutally Honest Review first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 16, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.