We tested the Aston Martin DBX 707, the mammoth sports SUV that James Bond would drive if he had a family.

Technical sheet Aston Martin DBX 707

Engine: V8 twin-turbo gasolineDisplacement: 3,982 ccMaximum power: 707 hp at 6,000 rpmTorque: 900 NmGearbox: 9-speed automaticTraction: TotalAcceleration 0-100 km/h: 3.3 secondsMaximum speed: 310 km/hCombined consumption: 14.2/100 km (WLTP)CO2 emissions: 323 g/km DGT label: CLength/width/height: 504/199/168 cmTrunk: 632 litersWeight: 2,320 kgWarranty: 3 yearsPrice: 250,000 euros (approx.)astonmartin.com

In this day and age, if Ian Fleming were to raise his head and decide to rewrite the famous saga of the legendary secret agent in Her Majesty's service, not only would he not have a license to kill, but he might not even have a license to drive. But assuming that were the case (and that he remained loyal to Aston Martin instead of promiscuous with any Chinese electric car), 007 would surely no longer be driving an elegant GT coupe but a large, high-performance SUV.

Sixty years ago, the DB5 was the model that best represented the sophistication and British charm of a lonely spy who loved fast cars. In 2025, that car would be the DBX , a blend of luxury, performance, and dynamism ready for any adventure, but with a more versatile and contemporary spirit.

The DBX is not just a new Aston Martin, but a new kind of Aston Martin: one based on the same principles of beauty, heritage, and sportiness, yet redefined with the innovative, modern character of its functional architecture. Still handcrafted and grounded in Aston Martin's illustrious history, the DBX celebrates a traditional and time-honored design language in its bodywork, arguably the most identifiable of the brand's identity and aesthetic heritage among high-performance SUVs from prestigious manufacturers.

Its design and proportions continue to exude elegance. The classic Aston Martin grille, first seen on the DB2 prototype in 1949, gives it a distinctive face that is highly identifiable with the Gaydon-based firm's most memorable creations. Other evocative elements of the DBX that recall its ancestors include the opening of the doors and the distinctive ducktail at the rear, with an integrated LED light strip to complete its sleek and striking profile.

This aerodynamic and balanced silhouette manages to camouflage its mammoth dimensions: 5.04 meters long, 1.99 meters wide, and 1.68 meters high, with a wheelbase of 3.06 meters and a weight of 2,320 kg. This is also aided by the enormous 23-inch wheels optionally fitted to the test unit, shod with 285/35 tires at the front and 325/30 at the rear.

Inside, the DBX offers a sumptuously finished cabin with a kind of unpretentious luxury, yet exquisite workmanship and superb materials (especially the leather) with abundant carbon fiber and aluminum accents. Only the somewhat "imprecise" feel of some buttons and controls on the steering wheel and center console—such as the rotary knob for controlling the driving modes—detracts from the "quality" feel of a cabin that, as is often the case, is overused by an excessive presence of piano black finishes.

The screen and the entire infotainment management system are one of the changes compared to the "normal" DBX, which has been discontinued this spring. Now, both the 707 and the future DBX S—the most radical version, with 727 hp—not only adopt a larger format and touch function. The main new feature introduced by the British SUV is its compatibility with Apple CarPlay Ultra. Aston Martin is the first brand in the world to incorporate this functionality, which allows not only the replication of iPhone apps on the car's screen but also comprehensive management of all vehicle functions and information with the aesthetics, design, and intuitive, minimalist simplicity of iOS, even for the digital cockpit graphics.

A torrent of overflowing power

In our brief hands-on with the DBX 707, just four hours long and covering a distance of just over 100 km, we were able to see that this SUV is sportier than it seems. Despite its distinguished and exclusive stance and a sound not as strident as that of other Italian or German rivals, the Aston SUV demonstrates unbridled genius when its 900 Nm of torque are unleashed between 2,750 and 4,500 rpm.

Its 4-liter V8 engine, supercharged by two AMG turbochargers, delivers an immediate response. The power of its kick is endlessly extended and phased thanks to its new 9-speed gearbox with a multi-plate clutch instead of the previous torque converter transmission. The result is faster gear changes and a continuous thrust that underlines its powerful nature. This is attested by its overwhelming performance: 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h; not bad for such a "tank."

Read also

Suspension adjustments, with variable height and firmness hydraulic dampers, along with recalibrated steering and its powerful brake system, with 420 mm ventilated carbon-ceramic discs at the front and 390 mm at the rear, complete Aston Martin's recipe for enjoying aggressive and efficient driving like a sports car with the comfort and spaciousness of a luxury Grand Tourer and the adventurous versatility of an all-wheel drive SUV.

A high price and high consumption

Of course, experiencing these sensations comes at a cost; first, the approximately €250,000 base price of the DBX 707; and then the 28.7 liters per 100 km average fuel consumption recorded during the journey, mostly in the city with very specific moments of "high intensity" on secondary roads, where we exceeded 30.2 liters. It has an official combined average of 14.2 l/100 km, so with its 87-liter fuel tank full, it should provide just over 450 km of range. However, once behind the wheel of the 707, it's very easy to be imbued with the spirit of James Bond and, with his very serious and hieratic demeanor, deploy a "007-style" action-packed driving style, worthy of a frantic escape from the villains in his films.