2021 Aston Martin DBX

The 2021 Aston Martin DBX like many other high-end products is only offered as a solo trim. However, this does not mean there is no customizability. Matter of fact, it is the exact opposite. You can personalize your DBX to perfectly suit your taste. A wide range of leather upholstery choices and paint schemes are available. Many different optional packages are available which will easily push the price up by another 50 grand. We would suggest opting for the Indulgence package that adds luxurious features like heated and ventilated front-seat cushions, additional front-seat adjustments, and rear windows with acoustic privacy glass.

Which Trim should you buy?

Aston Martin has kept it simple since there is only one trim to choose from. However, we do recommend diving into the endless customization options to perfectly tune the DBX to your tastes and make it stand out even more. Even the company's online configurator has several different sorts of appearance packages. Among the endless choices, which include names like Malibu Opera and Capri Machine, we would select the Bohemian Escape for its soothing color options that Aston says are inspired by the British Countryside. 

If you have the money to shell out for one of these vehicles, fuel economy will be the last of your concerns. The 4.0 L Twin Turbocharged V8 is miles apart from being fuel-efficient. The DBX will earn about 14 MPG in the city and 18 MPG out on the highway. However, if you are planning long road trips, the DBX has you covered with a 22.5-gallon fuel tank at your disposal. Equate the combined mileage of 15 MPG with a massive fuel tank and the 2021 Aston Martin DBX can manage 337.5 miles, during combined driving.

The DBX is evenly matched to other high-performance ultra-premium SUVs in this segment. However, when considering the overall range of the vehicles, the DBX actually has the lowest combined range despite having the least powerful engine. 

2021 Bentley Bentayga is the most efficient SUV averaging 18 miles per gallon of fuel, similar to what the 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid manages, however, it averages the highest range of 405 miles in the segment. The Maybach GLS 600 features the largest fuel tank of 23.8 gallons but loses out on the efficiency front. 

The cabin of 2021 Aston Martin DBX is a luxurious cocoon and resonates with an ostentatious and palatial aura, despite its sports SUV stature. It gets covered in gorgeous hand-stitched leather and soft-touch materials through and through and even the headliner is covered in premium microsuede. The 2021 DBX comes standard with customizable ambient lighting and tri-zone automatic climate control.

The seats themselves are plush and as comfy as they can get. They are not Bentley or Maybach level comfortable but still plenty comfortable. All the seats in the DBX provide heating functionality as standard. You can also add ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a variety of even fancier cabin materials through options. 

While interior space is not known, the 2021 Aston Martin DBX is expected to maintain an appreciable level of space for both rows of passengers. Even adults over six feet will be perfectly fine in the DBX. Cargo Capacity is quite decent with 22 cubic feet of space behind the second row of seating. With the option to fold the rear seat down, the 2021 DBX manages 54 cubic feet of space, which is ample to cater to all the needs of the buyers. 

As mentioned earlier, these high-end automakers do not like to disclose in-depth stats of their vehicles. Which makes it really hard to compare them side to side. The Aston Martin DBX is certainly more spacious than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. But compared to the 2021 Bentley Bentayga and Maybach GLS600, the DBX rarely stands a chance. However, all of these are at the top echelon of luxury, so you will be perfectly fine with the interior space in the DBX. However, the 2021 Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid manages a higher cargo capacity than all its rivals at 22.7 cubic feet. 

Some of the salient interior features of the 2021 Aston Martin DBX include:

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel 
• Tri-zone Climate Control
• Cruise Control
• Wool fabric/leather Upholstery
• Steering Mounted Controls

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Just like the powertrain setup, the infotainment system is also borrowed from Mercedes-Benz. However, the system is not the latest. Aston Martin gets the system from a generation back, which leaves the DBX with a large 10.2-inch infotainment system that cannot be operated by touch input. Instead, it is controlled via a rotary knob or through steering-wheel buttons. You can also add an integrated touchpad on top of the rotary knob through options. Aston Martin does give you a large 12.3-inch digital driver's display which makes the DBX feel like it did actually launch in 2021.

The DBX also includes other useful features like Apple CarPlay, built-in navigation, a 14-speaker audio system, and several USB and 12-volt charging outlets.

Standard infotainment features

• 10.2-inch non-touch central infotainment screen
• 12.3-inch Digital Driver's Display 
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto 
• Several USB ports 
• 14 speaker premium audio system 
• Built-In Navigation

Just have a look at the photos and tell us that this is not one of the most beautiful SUVs ever made. The 2021 Aston Martin DBX looks exceptionally proportionate and handsome for an SUV. It features the traditional Aston Martin grille design and headlights made larger to accommodate the SUV chassis. The 22 inch carved aluminum alloys combined with the long wheelbase make the DBX even more attractive. The DBX is also quite wide and short, giving it more of a supercar look than other expensive SUVs. Aston Martin has truly made one of the most gorgeous SUVs.

While looks are subjective, we reckon that the Aston Martin is clearly the best-looking SUV at this price point. One of the closest competitors to the DBX is Lamborghini Urus, but the Urus is also much more expensive than the Aston. On the spec sheet, it is clear why the DBX looks better than the rest. It is the widest and the lowest sitting SUV. 

The 2021 Mercedes Maybach GLS 600 is the heaviest vehicle in the segment with a curb weight of 6,139 lbs. It is also the longest at 204.9 inches and sports a wheelbase that extends 123.4 inches. Its total height is better than most of its rivals, however, the 2021 Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid are also bulky and beefy in design. 

Some of the salient features of the 2021 Aston Martin DBX are:

• LED head and taillamps
• 22-inch alloy wheels 
• Signature Aston Martin DB Grille
• Sun/moonroof
• Rear Spoiler

The 2021 Aston Martin DBX sits on a brand new platform that was designed exclusively for the SUV. The wheelbase of the DBX stretches out as far as possible with minimal overhangs in the front and the rear. This gives a planted feel to the SUV and confidence to the driver. Reliability is hard to guess since the platform is the latest development and has not yet been rated.

The 2021 Aston Martin DBX is quite devoid of advanced safety features such as lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. This is even more surprising considering the premium price you will be shelling out for one of these. Apart from the federally mandated features, the Aston Martin DBX comes with the following safety technology

• Blind Spot and Lane Departure Warning System
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• 360-degree camera system
• Automatic High Beams

2021 Aston Martin DBX vs 2021 Bentley Bentayga 

The 2021 Bentley Bentayga is one tough competitor to the Aston Martin DBX. Fundamentally, the Bentayga is better at everything. The Bentayga is faster, more luxurious, and has a much better infotainment system. The only thing really going for the 2021 Aston Martin DBX is its gorgeous exterior and better driving experience. 

2021 Aston Martin DBX vs 2021 Mercedes Maybach GLS600

The 2021 Mercedes Maybach GLS represents the ultimate luxury experience from one of the best in the business. It is the true essence of luxury and everything else is the second priority. The Maybach offers much larger interior space and way more comfort than the DBX. The Mercedes also gets the latest MBUX infotainment system which is leagues ahead of the DBX. However, the 2021 Aston Martin DBX is faster, more engaging, and arguably better looking than the Maybach GLS600. 

2021 Aston Martin DBX vs 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid

Both the DBX and the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid offer equal amounts of comfort and interior room. The DBX does edge out ahead in terms of interior quality and feel. But the Cayenne absolutely destroys the DBX when it comes to performance, both in a straight line and through the twisties. The 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is fundamentally a better SUV but one thing it seriously lacks is the head-turning ability of the 2021 Aston Martin DBX. 

Yes. If you have the big bucks to shell out, the DBX could be an excellent asset to make a statement everywhere you go. Do not buy this if you are aiming to be the fastest in a straight line or aspire to travel in ultimate comfort, there are SUVs that are better at this than the 2021 Aston Martin DBX. However, none of them boast the exclusivity and head-turning ability like an SUV from Aston Martin.